Grants between $200,000 and up to $8 million to progress commercialisation of innovative technologies or adapt existing technologies to improve bushfire management services in NSW.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
What is the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund?
The Bushfire Commercialisation Fund (BCF) will support businesses to accelerate the development, commercialisation and adoption of bushfire technologies and services in NSW.
The fund will provide financial support to develop new and innovative devices and systems or to repurpose existing technology in bushfire services, targeting devices/systems within Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3-7 to progress them on the TRL scale and enable them to attract large-scale private investment.
The fund is open to individuals, companies, research institutes and universities, to take local innovations to market.
What is the level of support of the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund?
Grant
- $200,000 up to $8 million over one to three years
Co-investment (Minderoo Foundation)
- The Minderoo Foundation may co-invest in projects that align with the strategic objectives of its Fire and Flood Resistance Initiative
What are the important dates of the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund?
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
What are the objectives of the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund?
The objective of the fund is to enable businesses to:
- progress bushfire technology along the commercialisation pathway; or
- adapt existing technology for use in bushfire management or operations
See the guidelines for full details of objectives.
How to get Bushfire Commercialisation funding?
You should read and understand the guidelines and FAQs.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- how the device/system will attempt to solve a problem related to bushfire prevention, preparation, mitigation, or recovery
- significant potential economic, environmental, and social benefits to NSW
- an existing prototype/proof-of-concept
- a clear competitive advantage
- strong engagement with the target market and a clear path to commercialisation
- a clear need for funding and targeted application of funding
Check out our How to Prepare Before You Apply insight.
Most importantly, and before you start an application, you need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below will not be considered.
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Follow the link to get your copy of the Guide to Winning Grants.
Is my organisation eligible for Bushfire Commercialisation funding?
To be eligible for the fund you must be either:
- a financially viable commercial enterprise based in NSW with an ABN and be an Australian-registered company; or
- an individual who agrees to form such an entity with which NSW DEIT can enter into a legally binding funding agreement; or
- a NSW public research organisation applying through its appropriate technology transfer office or the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) of the research organisation
You will:
- have an ABN
- be headquartered in NSW and demonstrate that most of the project activities will take place in NSW
- demonstrate that the technology has reached a minimum of TRL of 3 and does not exceed TRL 7
- hold the IP or the rights to commercialise the device/system.
- demonstrate that any funding from the NSW Physical Sciences Fund does not duplicate activities in the BCF application and is unique to commercialise bushfire-related technology
Joint applications between a business entity and research-based organisations (including universities) are encouraged. The business entity must lead the project and submit the grant application, including details of each project partner and their contribution.
You can apply if you have funding from another source, explaining why additional funding is needed.
See the guidelines for full details of eligibility requirements and TRL scales.
What projects and activities are eligible for support from the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund?
The fund aims to assist with the rapid development of technologies and services to sense, fight, mop up after and protect from bushfires, targeting innovative devices/systems within a TRL range of 3-7.
For funding purposes, a device is something made or adapted to solve a problem related to bushfire prevention, preparation, mitigation, or recovery, including equipment and hardware. Systems can include software applications and processes.
Funding can be used for:
- prototyping and piloting studies
- manufacturing
- conducting market and product assessments
- salaries and access to external expertise that is directly related to delivery of the project
- commercialisation strategies and commercial feasibility studies
- specialist equipment and/or infrastructure necessary to progress the project
- IP protection or advice
The fund will not support activities that are deemed to be in the very early stages of project development (e.g. TRL 1-2).
See the guidelines for complete project eligibility criteria.
What expenditure is eligible for support from the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund?
Funds can be expended on any aspect of the eligible activities necessary for the project to occur and be undertaken in NSW outlined above.
How do you apply for Bushfire Commercialisation funding?
Applications are submitted via the SmartyGrants portal.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to increase your chances of success.
What information do I need to prepare for lodging a Bushfire Commercialisation Fund application?
Preliminary applications require a completed application form and submission of a two-minute video clearly explaining:
- the problem to be solved
- the scientific and technological basis for the device/system (including imagery of the device/system)
- how it works and how it would be applied to bushfire management and operation
- the intended outcome/benefit to the community
- how the funding will be used to drive commercialisation
Additional information required for subsequent stages of the process will be advised by the panel.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
What is the assessment criteria of the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund?
Applications will be evaluated against information and evidence provided in relation to the following selection criteria:
| Ref | Criteria |
| 1 | Sound scientific/technological basis and application to bushfire management or operations |
| 2 | Understanding of the problem the device/system is trying to solve and why a customer would adopt this device/system |
| 3 | Innovation and competitive advantage |
| 4 | Anticipated economic, social and/or environmental benefits for bushfire preparation, mitigation, response and/or recovery in NSW |
| 5 | Sound project development |
| 6 | Demonstrated technology that has reached a minimum TRL of three and not exceed TRL seven |
| 7 | Understanding of customers and target market |
| 8 | Demonstrated financial need to commercialise product |
| 9 | Financial viability |
| 10 | Capabilities to commercialise the device / system and realise benefits |
See the guidelines for full details of assessment criteria.
Consenting applicants can be considered for co-funding by the Minderoo Foundation once the BCF assessment has concluded. Minderoo will conduct its own review and contact applicants directly to discuss potential funding support.
Need help applying for Bushfire Commercialisation funding?
Is your business eligible for this government grant? Or perhaps you’re not sure and want to know more?
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I want to learn more about the Bushfire Commercialisation Fund
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What is Technology Readiness Level?
| TRL | TRL description | Evidence of achievement |
| 1 | Basic principles observed and reported | Published research that identifies the principles that underlie this technology |
| 2 | Technical Device/System concept formulated | Practical applications (e.g., devices) of the basic principles of the invention |
| 3 | Technical proof of concept demonstration | The basic performance of the invention is demonstrated in a laboratory setting |
| 4 | Alpha prototype: Component and/or process validation in laboratory environment | Design, development and lab testing of components/ processes. Results provide evidence that performance targets may be attainable based on projected or modelled systems |
| 5 | Laboratory-scale (or similar) system validation in relevant environment | Basic technological components and/or process validation is achieved in a relevant environment |
| 6 | Beta prototype: System/sub-system model or prototype demonstration in operational environment | Engineering-scale models or prototypes are tested in relevant environment |
| 7 | System prototype demonstration in operational environment | Actual system prototype demonstrated in an operational environment |
| 8 | Actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration | Actual system/process completed and qualified through test and demonstration (pre-commercial demonstration) |
| 9 | System proven and ready for commercial deployment | The technology is in its final form and proven through successful operations in operating environment, and ready for full commercial deployment |
