The New South Wales government is seeking applications for clean technology grants in a bid to boost commercial development in low emission technologies.
The $45 million Clean technology research, development, and commercialisation infrastructure grants program and the $6 million first round of the Clean technology ecosystem grant program are now open for expressions of interest (EOIs), with applications closing on 22nd April 2022. Overall, $10 million has been set aside for the ecosystem program. An additional $40 million (open in the second quarter 2022) will be available for the commercialisation program.
These grants are part of the larger $750 million Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program announced in March 2021. Financial support under the program will be allocated until 2030. When it was announced, $380 million was to support high emitting industries decarbonise, $175 million was to set up low carbon industries such as green hydrogen, and $195 million for research and development into new clean technology.
In February 2022, the NSW government allocated a further $300 million to setting up low carbon industries as a response to the early closure of the coal fired Eraring Power Station. This supports the long-term goal of reducing NSW emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050, which was outlined in the NSW Net Zero Plan at the end of September.
Clean technology research, development, and commercialisation infrastructure
This $45 million grant initiative funds world-leading research, development and commercialisation infrastructure to help accelerate NSW’s shift to net zero emissions by 2050. Successful applicants can receive support between $1 million and $10 million, which must be met with co-contributions from another source of equal value. Aside from physical infrastructure, data generating e-infrastructure projects are also eligible.
These grants will invest in initiatives that significantly reduce emissions in high-emitting and hard-to-abate industries across the state for NSW. They will support investment in infrastructure that:
Accelerates the research, development and commercialisation of clean technologies with high commercial potential
Enhances our ability to develop new innovative clean technologies
Promotes collaboration between industry, researchers and universities
These grants are open to organisations that can demonstrate experience in developing and managing this type and scale of infrastructure. This could include industry or research organisations.
The four types of infrastructure eligible for this grant are:
New or upgraded major innovation infrastructure
E-infrastructure to generate data
Physical infrastructure to store data
Other infrastructure that supports significant decarbonisation
Collaboration between organisations is encouraged
Collaboration between organisations is encouragedEOIs for research, development and commercialisation infrastructure grants are now open. The EOI application period will close on 22nd April 2022 at 5.00pm AEST.
The EOI is the first in a two-stage competitive application process. Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a full application.
Clean technology ecosystem grants
The ecosystem grants target startups and early-stage developments as well as commercialisation training for clean technology researchers at public research institutions.
This $10 million grant initiative supports incubators, pre-accelerators, accelerators and other similar initiatives. It will provide funding for them to equip clean technology start-ups and researchers with the skills and resources they need to succeed in Australian and international markets.
These grants will help significantly reduce emissions in NSW by creating an environment where clean technology start-ups and innovators can advance their commercial and entrepreneurial skills. These grants will:
Build a strong pipeline of clean technology start-ups and innovators
Create an environment which supports clean technology innovation
Accelerate the commercialisation of clean technology innovations
We are seeking expressions of interest (EOIs) from applicants for grants between $250,000 - $2 million to support clean technology ecosystem projects
Clean technology commercialisation grants
This $40 million grant initiative accelerates the commercialisation and scaling up of proven clean technology innovations for trade in Australian and international markets. These grants will support clean technologies with high potential to commercialise and significantly reduce emissions in high-emitting and hard-to-abate sectors in NSW and will open in the second quarter of 2022.
These grants are open to organisations seeking to commercialise a clean technology innovation.
The types of activities eligible for the grants include, but are not limited to:
Full-scale pilots and demonstration projects in operational environments
Scaling production or marketing to support customer sales
Engaging professionals to provide commercialisation guidance
Engaging a experienced executive to fill a key gap in the management teams of a clean technology start-up
Funding between $250,000 - $5 million to support clean technology commercialisation projects
EOIs for clean technology commercialisation grants will open in the second quarter of 2022
For further information please contact
Haines Consulting Group is a management consultancy firm specialising in business strategy, growth, government grants and new venture developments. If you need any assistance with a Grant submission please contact us now for a confidential conversation.