Innovate to Grow: Queensland

Program detail

This program will assist you in:

• Refining your innovation idea and learning how to transform it into an R&D opportunity
• Accessing tools and information for a comprehensive understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step
• Applying this knowledge to advance your technology or R&D concept
• Gaining industry insights, hearing from experts, researchers and your mentor
• Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network

Program alumni

'Innovate to Grow is a great introduction program at the early stages of your business and/or idea. The staged process for deliverables and assistance from mentors has been great. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the program'.

—James Lister, LP One

Course outline

The program is made up of virtual webinars and self-paced learning as follows:

Preparing for the program (one week prior to workshop, approximately 3-4 hours)

• Participants will be provided with an on-boarding session and pre-workshop videos and materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• Time commitment is approximately three to four hours.

Week 1: Workshop (start date 10 April 2024, approximately 4 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
• Time commitment is approximately 4 hours. 

Week 2-8: Self-paced innovation program

• Participants will work through the online innovation program at their own pace, supported by a mentor and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research idea and business case.
• Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
• Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program benefits

• Personalised support to refine your idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.
• Mentor: You will be provided with a guide from CSIRO or a university to answer your questions about working on R&D projects and to help find an expert in the sector to introduce you to. 
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Who can apply

This program is open to any SMEs based and operating in Queensland Australia who are working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of these sub-sectors:

• Agriculture and food
• Digital technology and artificial intelligence
• Environmental sciences
• Health and biomedical sciences
• Indigenous science
• Manufacturing
• Mining and METS
• Renewables & low emissions technologies
• Space and defence
• Transport

Selection criteria (essential)

• A business based and operating in Queensland Australia that is registered with an ABN and ACN/ICN
• A business classified as small to medium or startup (less than 200 employees)
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have an innovation idea to work on throughout the course.

Please note: Sole traders and partnerships are currently not eligible for the program. Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Queensland Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible). Researchers working at universities can apply as a mentor but not as a participant.

Other considerations

• Any other information provided to support your application
• Have a clear need to develop your knowledge and skills in R&D

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit our FAQ's.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow Program, Queensland
• Innovate to Grow Program, Queensland - accessible text

Program detail

This program will assist you in:

• Refining your innovation idea and learning how to transform it into an R&D opportunity
• Accessing tools and information for a comprehensive understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step
• Applying this knowledge to advance your technology or R&D concept
• Gaining industry insights, hearing from experts, researchers and your mentor
• Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network

Program alumni

'Innovate to Grow is a great introduction program at the early stages of your business and/or idea. The staged process for deliverables and assistance from mentors has been great. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the program'.

—James Lister, LP One

Course outline

The program is made up of virtual webinars and self-paced learning as follows:

Preparing for the program (one week prior to workshop, approximately 3-4 hours)

• Participants will be provided with an on-boarding session and pre-workshop videos and materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• Time commitment is approximately three to four hours.

Week 1: Workshop (start date 10 April 2024, approximately 4 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
• Time commitment is approximately 4 hours. 

Week 2-8: Self-paced innovation program

• Participants will work through the online innovation program at their own pace, supported by a mentor and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research idea and business case.
• Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
• Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program benefits

• Personalised support to refine your idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.
• Mentor: You will be provided with a guide from CSIRO or a university to answer your questions about working on R&D projects and to help find an expert in the sector to introduce you to. 
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Who can apply

This program is open to any SMEs based and operating in Queensland Australia who are working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of these sub-sectors:

• Agriculture and food
• Digital technology and artificial intelligence
• Environmental sciences
• Health and biomedical sciences
• Indigenous science
• Manufacturing
• Mining and METS
• Renewables & low emissions technologies
• Space and defence
• Transport

Selection criteria (essential)

• A business based and operating in Queensland Australia that is registered with an ABN and ACN/ICN
• A business classified as small to medium or startup (less than 200 employees)
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have an innovation idea to work on throughout the course.

Please note: Sole traders and partnerships are currently not eligible for the program. Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Queensland Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible). Researchers working at universities can apply as a mentor but not as a participant.

Other considerations

• Any other information provided to support your application
• Have a clear need to develop your knowledge and skills in R&D

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit our FAQ's.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow Program, Queensland PDF (747 KB)
• Innovate to Grow Program, Queensland - accessible text TXT (4 KB)