About the grant
The Graphite Research and Development (R&D) Grant provides Australian small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with funding and access to CSIRO experts on collaborative R&D projects.
These projects will focus on developing innovative technologies and processes essential for natural graphite production, particularly for battery applications.
This initiative will support development of a sustainable graphite industry in Australia, which is essential to meeting the growing global demand for battery anode materials. Australia is positioned to become a key supplier to the USA and other global markets by capitalising on its natural graphite deposits. This program supports R&D in areas like alternative feedstocks, efficient recycling methods, and purification techniques, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable graphite production process.
Key dates
Applications will close on 30 March 2026, or earlier if the total available funding is exhausted.
Grant details
- Eligible SMEs can access between $10,000 - $50,000.
- Businesses are required to contribute funding to the graphite R&D project that is at least equal to, or greater than, the amount of the graphite R&D grant.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this grant opportunity, you must:
- Be incorporated in Australia and have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and Australian Company Number (ACN)
- Be registered for GST
- Employ fewer than 200 people
Who can apply?
Eligible Australian SMEs must be committed to pursuing international opportunities including the United States, via R&D in:
- Alternative feedstocks for synthetic graphite
- Recycling methods for graphite in batteries
- Characterisation of natural graphite ore
- Purification and spheronisation techniques
- Coating of spheronised materials
- Scale-up of graphite processing for battery anode activities
- Other innovation for efficient and effective production of graphite materials and downstream processing.
How to apply
Before applying, ensure that you thoroughly review the Graphite R&D Grant Opportunity Guidelines to assess eligibility, including the Expression of Interest (EOI) form, and the Sample Grant and Project Agreement.
The application process is two stages:
- Stage one: Submit an expression of interest (EOI) outlining your project and its relevance to the graphite industry. The EOI shall be open until 30 March 2026, or earlier as notified here.
- Stage two: If invited, submit a detailed R&D project proposal, developed in collaboration with the relevant CSIRO researchers. A CSIRO Facilitator will support you in this process.
We assess applications based on the potential value of the project, its alignment with industry needs, and its capacity to drive innovation in the Australian graphite industry. Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome and enter into a formal grant agreement with CSIRO.
Grant documentation
Acknowledgement
This grant opportunity is part of the Batteries Research and Development Program which is funded by the Department of Industry, Science and Resource and delivered by CSIRO.
About the grant
The Graphite Research and Development (R&D) Grant provides Australian small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with funding and access to CSIRO experts on collaborative R&D projects.
These projects will focus on developing innovative technologies and processes essential for natural graphite production, particularly for battery applications.
This initiative will support development of a sustainable graphite industry in Australia, which is essential to meeting the growing global demand for battery anode materials. Australia is positioned to become a key supplier to the USA and other global markets by capitalising on its natural graphite deposits. This program supports R&D in areas like alternative feedstocks, efficient recycling methods, and purification techniques, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable graphite production process.
Key dates
Applications will close on 30 March 2026, or earlier if the total available funding is exhausted.
Grant details
- Eligible SMEs can access between $10,000 - $50,000.
- Businesses are required to contribute funding to the graphite R&D project that is at least equal to, or greater than, the amount of the graphite R&D grant.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for this grant opportunity, you must:
- Be incorporated in Australia and have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and Australian Company Number (ACN)
- Be registered for GST
- Employ fewer than 200 people
Who can apply?
Eligible Australian SMEs must be committed to pursuing international opportunities including the United States, via R&D in:
- Alternative feedstocks for synthetic graphite
- Recycling methods for graphite in batteries
- Characterisation of natural graphite ore
- Purification and spheronisation techniques
- Coating of spheronised materials
- Scale-up of graphite processing for battery anode activities
- Other innovation for efficient and effective production of graphite materials and downstream processing.
How to apply
Before applying, ensure that you thoroughly review the Graphite R&D Grant Opportunity Guidelines PDF (321 KB) to assess eligibility, including the Expression of Interest (EOI) form, and the Sample Grant and Project Agreement PDF (328 KB).
The application process is two stages:
- Stage one: Submit an expression of interest (EOI) outlining your project and its relevance to the graphite industry. The EOI shall be open until 30 March 2026, or earlier as notified here.
- Stage two: If invited, submit a detailed R&D project proposal, developed in collaboration with the relevant CSIRO researchers. A CSIRO Facilitator will support you in this process.
We assess applications based on the potential value of the project, its alignment with industry needs, and its capacity to drive innovation in the Australian graphite industry. Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome and enter into a formal grant agreement with CSIRO.
Grant documentation
- Graphite R&D Grant Opportunity Guidelines PDF (321 KB)
- Sample Grant and Project Agreement PDF (328 KB)
Acknowledgement
This grant opportunity is part of the Batteries Research and Development Program which is funded by the Department of Industry, Science and Resource and delivered by CSIRO.
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