Innovate to Grow: Recycling and Circular Economy

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

"We made lots of progress and came up with a direction for the steps we need to do and the people we need to speak to in order to get this project kickstarted."

Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu, Little Green Panda

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 (official start date 13 March 2025, 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 explore opportunities for a collaborative research project by working through a series of online learning materials and four downloadable documents.
• Work at your own pace supported by a mentor and experienced facilitators to develop and test research ideas and collaboration options.
• A final questionnaire is required at completion.
• 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 mentor from CSIRO or a university to assist you with understanding the program deliverables and connecting you to a relevant specialist.
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Who can apply

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

• Organic and inorganic recycling
• Sustainable manufacturing
• Clean energy production and storage
• Supply chain waste reduction
• Waste to energy (bioenergy)
• Fibres and textiles waste
• Sustainable construction materials
• Other

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Australia that is registered with an ABN
• 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 a manufacturing innovation idea to work on throughout the course.

Please note: We are accepting applications from sole traders and partnerships for this program but not subsidiary companies of foreign entities. 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: Recycling and Circular Economy
• Innovate to Grow: Recycling and Circular Economy - accessible text

Contact Innovate to Grow

Contact InnovateToGrow@csiro.au for assistance and more information.

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

"We made lots of progress and came up with a direction for the steps we need to do and the people we need to speak to in order to get this project kickstarted."

Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu, Little Green Panda

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 (official start date 13 March 2025, 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 explore opportunities for a collaborative research project by working through a series of online learning materials and four downloadable documents.
• Work at your own pace supported by a mentor and experienced facilitators to develop and test research ideas and collaboration options.
• A final questionnaire is required at completion.
• 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 mentor from CSIRO or a university to assist you with understanding the program deliverables and connecting you to a relevant specialist.
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Who can apply

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

• Organic and inorganic recycling
• Sustainable manufacturing
• Clean energy production and storage
• Supply chain waste reduction
• Waste to energy (bioenergy)
• Fibres and textiles waste
• Sustainable construction materials
• Other

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Australia that is registered with an ABN
• 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 a manufacturing innovation idea to work on throughout the course.

Please note: We are accepting applications from sole traders and partnerships for this program but not subsidiary companies of foreign entities. 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: Recycling and Circular Economy PDF (734 KB)
• Innovate to Grow: Recycling and Circular Economy TXT (4 KB) - accessible text

Contact Innovate to Grow

Contact InnovateToGrow@csiro.au for assistance and more information.

Program partner