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Advance QLD Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects

Advance QLD Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects

  • Applications are open until 27 June 2024.
  • Projects can receive funding of up to $200,000 for a duration of up to 18 months. Applicants and partner organisations must provide at least 50% matched funding.

The Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects program, an Advance Queensland initiative, aims to fast-track economic diversification in regional areas. It supports the roadmap's key priority of fostering a well-connected, inclusive, and thriving innovation ecosystem in Queensland.

Key Requirements

Building upon the successes and lessons of Advance Queensland, the program recognises the maturity and diversity of local innovation ecosystems and economies across Queensland. It aims to facilitate collaboration among entrepreneurial organisations and partners to undertake projects that:
  • address regional issues of significance
  • offer innovative solutions to regional challenges or opportunities
  • possess a clearly defined strategic intent aligned with regional or sectoral growth priorities
  • align with existing commitments, investments, or strengths
  • involve tangible activities that accelerate necessary changes to foster regional growth and job creation
  • are locally led and include representatives from innovative partners and leaders with the authority and capability to drive change
  • create lasting change for Queensland sectors or regions by addressing regionally significant issues or cross-industry challenges
  • facilitate the adoption of talent and/or technology to strengthen Queensland sectors and regions.
Funded projects will:
  • increase participation in Queensland’s innovation ecosystem
  • enhance regional economic diversification and leverage competitive advantages
  • elevate Queensland’s reputation as a preferred destination for entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses involved in the innovation economy.
Proposed collaborative projects must demonstrate:
  • the significance of the opportunity or innovation activity
  • the strength of collaboration
  • the project’s viability
  • the benefits to the region, sector, and Queensland.

What is eligible for funding?

Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects funding is designated for project-specific activities falling within eligible cost categories, including:

  • salary expenditure (including related costs) for staff directly contributing to project delivery
  • consumables essential for project implementation
  • plant and equipment specific to the project, capped at a cumulative value of $10,000 throughout the grant term
  • necessary travel expenses for project activities
  • specialist advice and services from external providers.

Only eligible expenditure incurred after the project commencement date (outlined in the executed Financial Assistance Agreement) can be claimed by the successful applicant organisation.

What companies are eligible for funding?

To qualify for application, the applicant organisation must, at the time of applying:

  • be located in a Queensland region
  • hold an ABN and be GST registered
  • collaborate with at least one other project partner based in a Queensland region
  • provide a cash contribution equal to or greater than 50% of the grant amount sought from the Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects program, either from the applicant or collaborative partners.

Under the Regional Futures – Collaborative Projects program, a Queensland region includes all local government areas except Brisbane City Council. Applicant organisations can verify their location using the Electoral Commission Queensland Interactive Map.

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.