Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants Round 20
- Haines Consulting Group
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
The Australian Government's 20th round of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grant will open in late 2026, which aims to bolster the development of innovative technologies and products. Approximately $60 million is set to be awarded to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to nurture projects that align with the objectives of the National Reconstruction Fund.
Established in 2016, the CRC-P program has become one of Australia’s most important mechanisms for accelerating short-term, industry-led research collaboration between SMEs, industry partners and research organisations. The scheme has committed more than $553 million to establish over 253 CRC-Ps, leveraging more than $1.144 billion in cash and in-kind contributions across industry, research, government and community partners. Previous rounds have supported nationally significant projects, including medical technologies to improve neonatal intensive care, advanced recycling solutions for wind turbine blades, ground-breaking recycling technologies for lithium-ion batteries and solar panels, and other industry-led innovations aligned with Australia’s manufacturing, clean energy and sovereign capability priorities.
Round 20 will open to all industry sectors with a focus on supporting projects in line with Government priorities, including the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas and National Science & Research Priorities.
CRC-P’s guiding program accentuates industry-led collaborations that bridge industry, research bodies, and the community. The scheme is recognised for connecting researchers to the industry, with an emphasis on research and development aimed at utilisation and commercialisation. Its primary objectives include:
Elevating the competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability of Australian industries.
Nurturing high-calibre research to address industry-specific challenges.
Boosting SME involvement in collaborative research.
Anticipated outcomes of this initiative consist of increased industry-research collaborations, enhanced SME involvement in shared research, improved industrial competitiveness, and higher research skills in the industry.
Applicants can expect matched funding between $100,000 and $3 million for projects lasting up to three years. This grant is crafted for industry-led research collaborations and intends to nurture the development of products, services, or processes that address industry challenges and yield real outcomes, benefiting SMEs in the process.
Potential grantees can employ the funds to cover costs associated with new research, proof of concept activities, pre-commercialisation of research findings, industry-specific education, and events related to the joint research.
Key Dates for CRC-P Round 20:
Closing: TBC
About the CRC-P Program
The Cooperative Research Centres Program (the program) supports industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers and the community. The program is a proven model for linking researchers with industry to focus on research and development towards use and commercialisation.
The objectives of the program are to:
improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries, especially where Australia has a competitive strength and in line with government priorities
foster high-quality research to solve industry-identified problems through industry-led and outcome-focused collaborative research partnerships between industry entities and research organisations
encourage and facilitate small and medium enterprise (SME) participation in collaborative research.
The intended outcomes of the program are:
establishing industry-research sector collaborations
SME participation in collaborative research
collaborative research results
research results relevant to government priorities
increased research skills in industry and increased industry capability in research
improved competitiveness and productivity for industry participating in CRCs and CRC-Ps
industry, research and other users valuing the program.
The program consists of two elements:
Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) grants to support medium to long-term, industry-led collaborations; and
Cooperative Research Centres – Projects (CRC-P) grants to support short-term, industry-led collaborative research.
What do you get?
Matched funding of between $100,000 and $3 million. Grants are for up to 3 years.
Who is this for?
An industry-led research collaboration.
Overview
This grant supports short-term (up to 3 years), industry-led research collaborations.
Projects must:
develop a product, service or process that will solve problems for industry and deliver real outcomes.
benefit small to medium enterprises (SMEs)
include education and training activities.
Project partners must include:
2 Australian industry organisations
1 Australian research organisation.
You can use the funding to cover costs directly related to your project, including:
new research
proof of concept activities
pre-commercialisation of research outcomes
industry-focused education and training activities
conferences, workshops, and symposia related to the joint research
information sharing and communications related to the research.
This is not a complete list, and other costs may also be eligible.
Eligible activities
To be eligible, your project must:
have at least $200,000 in total eligible project value
be a short-term, industry-identified and industry-led collaborative research project to develop a product, service or process that will solve problems for industry and deliver tangible outcomes
benefit SMEs and increase their capacity to grow and adapt in changing markets
include eligible activities (listed below).
Eligible activities must directly relate to the project and must include at least one of the following:
new research
proof of concept activities
pre-commercialisation of research outcomes
industry-focused education and training activities, such as internships and secondments between industry entities and research organisations
conferences, workshops, and/or symposia related to the joint research
information sharing and communication initiatives related to the joint research.
Haines Consulting Group is Australia’s leading specialist in securing major non-dilutive funding for Australia’s most ambitious and high-growth ventures. We work with some of the country’s most innovative companies and universities to navigate and win competitive government grants. If you require assistance with a grant submission, please email info@hainesconsultinggroup.com.au to arrange a confidential conversation.
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