Google reviews badge
NSW Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative - Clean Technology Innovation

NSW Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative – Clean Technology Innovation Round 2

  • Grants of between $500,000 and $5 million are available per project.
  • Applicants must provide at least a 1:1 co-contribution against the grant amount from other sources. In-kind contributions are not eligible.
  • Projects must be completed within 3 years of commencement and within 3 years of the executed funding deed.
  • Applications close September 8 2026

The Clean Technology Innovation grant is part of the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative and supports projects that pilot and demonstrate lab proven clean technologies to accelerate commercial readiness in NSW. It is designed for projects that already have proof of concept and are ready to progress toward commercialisation.

Funding is available for projects with a technological readiness level between 6 and 9 and a commercial readiness index of less than 4. The program aims to unlock low emissions technologies needed for NSW to reach net zero emissions by 2050. It supports activities across research, piloting, infrastructure development, commercialisation and deployment. Projects must be based in NSW, request between $500,000 and $5 million, and be completed within 3 years. The program is delivered through a single stage competitive application and assessment process.

Key Requirements

  • Support the commercial progression of low emissions technologies. The program is intended to pilot and demonstrate lab proven clean technologies and accelerate their commercial readiness. Projects must show they can advance or progress a clean technology product or solution toward commercialisation.
  • Deliver against the program’s core objectives. These include testing technical and commercial feasibility, accelerating research, development and commercialisation of scalable and cost effective low emissions technologies, creating an ecosystem that supports repeated clean technology innovation, and attracting clean technology companies and innovations to domestic markets.
  • Meet project eligibility thresholds. Projects must be based in NSW, request between $500,000 and $5 million, be completed within 3 years, have a technological readiness level between 6 and 9, have a commercial readiness index of less than 4, and align to a Decarbonisation Opportunity Cluster.
  • Provide matched cash funding. Applicants must have co-contribution funding arrangements of at least 1:1 between grant funding and other sources. Higher cash contributions are viewed favourably. In-kind contributions are not eligible.
  • Satisfy merit assessment requirements. Eligible applications are assessed on technical deliverability and advancement, applicant capability and governance, project delivery and risk management, technology readiness, financial feasibility, commercial feasibility, and alignment with NSW Government strategic objectives.

What is eligible for funding?

  • Technology development.
  • Construction of specific testing infrastructure.
  • Prototyping.
  • Product verification.
  • Demonstration and deployment.
  • Front end engineering design.
  • Technical feasibility studies

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible entities:

  • Australian entities incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and holding all necessary authorisations material to the conduct of their business.
  • Private or publicly funded research organisations applying through an appropriate commercialisation or technology transfer department that will establish a separate entity to commercialise clean technology, such as a university spin-out.
  • Commonwealth entities under Section 10 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
  • Australian state or territory owned bodies corporate, or subsidiaries of those bodies corporate.
  • Australian, state, territory, local government or council entities.
  • International non-government organisations seeking to establish an Australian based entity to commercialise a clean technology not yet adopted in NSW.

Other considerations for applicants:

  • Must hold an ABN.
  • Must be the legal and beneficial owner of, or have the necessary rights to use, the intellectual property needed for the project.
  • Must hold or obtain required insurances, including $20 million public liability insurance and workers compensation.
  • Must materially comply with employment, industrial and workplace health and safety obligations.
  • Must be solvent and not subject to insolvency events.
  • Must not be listed on the DFAT sanctions list.
  • Must disclose relevant legal proceedings and government grant history for the project.
  • Applications must have one lead applicant.

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.