CSIRO Kick-Start Program

Applications open: This program is open on an ongoing basis.
Grants: matched funding between $10,000 and $50,000

The CSIRO Kick-Start program helps Australian start-ups and small SMEs access funding to undertake development, testing, or research with CSIRO. It's a targeted program, which forms part of CSIRO’s strategic commitment to strengthen its direct support for Australian technology start-ups and SMEs in areas of national growth priorities.

Key Requirements

The eligible applicants must:

submit an Expression of Interest

participate in end-of-project reporting.

agree that their company name and logo, project title, and voucher amount awarded, may be used publicly.

agree to be approached for SME Connect Case Studies if requested.

submit an Expression of Interest form (if without previous relationships with CSIRO researchers).

The CSIRO SME Connect will dollar-match the company cash contribution through a Kick-Start voucher of between $10k and $50k to undertake a project with CSIRO.

For example, if the program provides funding of $50,000, your business must also provide $50,000.

This must be a cash contribution and cannot be in-kind.

What is eligible for funding?

The project scope could be anything from:

developing a brand-new product or service with commercial potential to increase your customer base

testing a novel product developed by the company

research into a new idea with commercial potential.

The funding may be used to cover the costs of undertaking the project, include:

administrative costs

travel and accommodation (if needed)

salary and on-costs of researchers

external facilities access/services/contractor costs

The funding may not be used for capital works and expenditure or infrastructure costs.

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

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