The Science into Industry Co-Investment Program provides funding support for applications to Australian Government funding programs with a strong, Queensland-based lead and a significant industry engagement component that will benefit Queensland.

The objectives of the program are to:

• strengthen Queensland universities’ and research institutes’ applications to Australian Government industry-research funding programs for research projects
• support increased linkage and closer collaboration with industry partners and collaborators to deliver research projects in areas of strategic importance to Queensland
• increase value from research translation (new jobs, startups and spin-outs, business growth and sustainability)
• increase research jobs in Queensland
• deliver tangible benefits and practical outcomes for Queensland by supporting research and development.

Funding

Grants of up to $750,000 (excluding GST) are available for projects with a duration of up to seven years.

Applicants can apply for funding up to:

• 25% of the total cash value of the proposed project; and
• not greater than the total value of the combined industry partners’ and collaborators’ cash contributions.

Funding commitments made to successful applicants to the Science into Industry Co-Investment Program are conditional on the proposed project subsequently successfully securing Australian Government funding.

Applications submitted after 1 August 2024, should note the department may not finalise assessments and approvals prior to entering into the caretaker period.  Applicants should consider these timelines when submitting applications.  (caretaker period: 1 to 26 October 2024)

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this program the applicant must:

• be a Queensland-based university or research institute
  (companies and individuals cannot apply)
• have an ABN and be GST-registered
• be the lead applicant to the nominated Australian Government industry–research funding program
• confirm the project application to the Australian Government industry–research funding program meets the eligibility requirements of the nominated Australian Government industry–research funding program.

To be considered eligible for this program, the application must include:

• a copy of the substantially ‘ready-to-submit’ project application form for an identified Australian Government industry-research funding program that meets the eligibility requirements of the nominated Australian Government program.  Where the Australian Government program project application form is unavailable due to non-aligned funding round dates, a substantially ‘ready-to-submit’ project proposal will be accepted instead
• the project must have a strong Queensland-based lead and have a strong industry engagement component benefiting Queensland
• letters of support from industry partners, Queensland Government partners and collaborators outlining:
  • their level of commitment
  • their track-record of previous collaborations/project delivery (if any)
  • details of their commitment of funding to the proposed project (amount/period), noting funding contribution(s) from industry partners and collaborators are required
  • a project delivery plan, commencement date and budget for the proposed project.

The project must be delivery ready at the time of Australian Government funding approval.

Applications must be submitted to the department for assessment at least 10 weeks prior to the submission date of the nominated Australian Government industry-research funding program.

Applications for project proposals led by industry for an eligible Australian Government industry–research funding program are not eligible for this program.

• Phone: (07) 3330 6360
• Email: science.grants@des.qld.gov.au