ACT Energy Innovation Fund

Stream 1 is offering between $50K to $1M per grant
Stream 2 is offering between $20K and $500K per grant
Stream 3 is offering between $30K to $300K
Grant applications are assessed quarterly, with closing dates varying by stream.

The ACT Government's Energy Innovation Fund is driving the ACT's transition to a net-zero energy economy by supporting innovative energy technologies and solutions. $19 million has been allocated to the EIF following the fifth round of the ACT renewables auction, which helps maintain the ACT's 100% renewable electricity target. The EIF is administered by the ACT Government's Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, with guidance from an independent Industry Advisory Board.

Key Requirements

In this round of the Energy Innovation Fund there are three funding streams:

Stream 1 – Technology Demonstration Grant has allocated $10 million over a 5-year period – organisations can apply for funding starting at $50,000, up to $1,000,000 for each grant.

Funding Stream 1 will support innovative energy projects that involve technology research, development, and demonstrations. These projects must be relevant to the ACT’s energy transition and have the potential for export.

The intended outcomes of Funding Stream 1 are:

Advance energy transition innovation technologies with export potential
Accelerate the research, development, and commercialisation of critical renewable energy and enabling technologies
Translate research into commercial applications
Foster collaboration between industry and research organisations
Promote the growth and development of the ACT renewable energy sector

Stream 2 – Policy Challenge Grant has allocated up to $3.75 million in funding – organisations can apply for funding starting at $20,000, up to $500,000 for each grant.

The Policy Challenge Grant supports the advancement of the ACT’s energy transition policy.

Successful applications will receive funding to test new ideas that address the policy challenge. The expected outcomes from Funding Stream 2 are:

Fostering partnerships between research, innovation, and policy
Advancing the ACT’s energy transition

Funding Stream 2 will open for submissions once per year, with a quarterly deadline for proposals to be evaluated.

Stream 3 – Innovation Ecosystem Grant has allocated $3.25 million over a 5-year period – organisations can apply for funding starting at $30,000, up to $300,000 for each grant.

There are two subcategories in Stream Three:

Innovation Clusters: Seeking proposals to foster collaboration and investment in emerging energy innovation sectors and clusters within the ACT. Eligible activities could include networking events to connect the ACT’s innovation network, workshops to share knowledge and expertise, conferences and roundtables to foster collaboration, and international showcases to promote Canberra’s energy innovation sector and attract investment.

Business Accelerator: Support ACT-based technological or product innovations to expand into Australian and global markets.

What is eligible for funding?

Funding can be used towards:

Stream One – Technology Demonstration Grant

Commercially oriented energy innovation, regardless of the specific technology including:

Emerging storage technologies
Demand-side electricity solutions
Zero emissions transport business models

Stream Two – Policy Challenge Grant

Policy research
New business models
Regulatory sandbox experiments designed to address the ACT’s unique energy transition challenges

Stream Three – Innovation Ecosystem Grant

Innovation Clusters: Enhance capacity building within the ACT’s energy innovation sector through:
Networking events
Investor connections
Knowledge workshops
Conferences
International showcases to promote Canberra’s innovation ecosystem
Business Accelerator: Transition from prototypes to commercially successful products and services

What companies are eligible for funding?

Stream One – Technology Demonstration Grant

To qualify for the Technology Demonstration Grant, the applicant must:

Complete all project milestones within three years
Provide a minimum 1:1 matching co-contribution, with cash contributions preferred over in-kind contributions

Stream Two – Policy Challenge Grant

To qualify for the Policy Challenge Grant, the applicant must:

Have expertise in the energy transition
Be a universitiy, think tank, or research institutions specialising in the energy transition, particularly those with industry partnerships

Stream Three – Innovation Ecosystem Grant

To qualify for the Innovation Ecosystem Grant, the applicant must be a:

Innovation Clusters category: Businesses and industry-related non-profit organisation
Business Accelerator: Business only

The general criteria across all streams states that eligible applicants must:

Have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
Be based in ACT OR ensure majority of activities occur mostly in ACT
Have insurance required by law, inclusive of workers compensation and $10 million public liability insurance or are prepared to acquire if successful
Can demonstrate contribution to target of net zero emissions by 2045 outlined by the ACT
Be registered for Goods and Services Tax
Organisations will be regarded positively that support

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.

This grant is open

Apply for this grant below:

OR