Innovation conference showcasing Queensland startups, researchers and emerging technologies

Advance Queensland – Innovation Events Fund (Round 1)

  • Grant funding available: $10,000 to $25,000 (excluding GST)
  • Funding coverage: Up to 50% of total eligible event costs
  • Co‑contribution: Minimum 50% cash contribution required
  • Event delivery: Events must be held in Queensland during 2026
  • Applications close: March 16, 2026

The Advance Queensland Innovation Events Fund supports Queensland‑led innovation events that strengthen capability, collaboration and connections across the state’s innovation ecosystem. Funding is available for purpose‑driven events that explore emerging technologies, innovation opportunities or new services and deliver measurable outcomes for Queensland businesses and regions.

Key Requirements

  • Applicants must be Queensland‑based organisations operating for at least 12 months
  • Applicants must be the event owner, with rights and approvals to deliver the event
  • Events must be held in Queensland in 2026
  • Funding covers up to 50% of eligible cash event costs
  • Salary costs may be included where directly attributable to event delivery
  • Only one application per organisation is permitted per round
  • Projects must not commence before a Funding Agreement is executed

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible events must:

  • Focus on innovation and directly engage with businesses developing innovative products, processes or services
  • Build innovation capability and deliver outcomes such as collaboration, commercialisation or knowledge exchange
  • Align with one or more of the following:
    • New or emerging innovation opportunities
    • New‑to‑world innovation
    • Innovation diffusion
    • Innovation delivering benefits for Indigenous communities

Funding can be used for:

  • Guest speaker fees and economy‑class travel
  • Venue hire and event logistics
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Equipment hire and technical services
  • Event content development aligned to fund objectives

Funding will not be provided for:

  • Networking‑only or social events
  • Online‑only or virtual events
  • Trade missions or famil programs
  • Business‑as‑usual activities
  • Alcohol, merchandise or self‑promotion
  • Costs incurred before funding approval
  • Events already funded by another Queensland Government program in the same financial year

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be an incorporated legal entity
  • Hold an active ABN and GST registration
  • Be headquartered in Queensland
  • Hold or be able to obtain $20 million public liability insurance
  • Have met all previous Queensland Government reporting and acquittal obligations

Individuals, unincorporated groups, government agencies and political parties are not eligible.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.