Grants in Information Technology

The Australian Defence Industry Development Grants Program (DIDG) announced it will award grants as part of the Defence Industry Development Strategy, offering $153.6 million over four years from 2024-25 to 2027-28 to support businesses in areas critical to national defence. The Defence Industry Development Grants Program's Security Stream provides funding to strengthen national security through the development of advanced Defence capabilities.

The Priority Sector Collaborative Grants provide funding to Northern Territory business groups to develop common-use infrastructure, services, or data. These grants may offer up to 50% matched funding to consortia of three or more businesses to advance sector-wide initiatives that enhance local industry capability, innovation, and business development in priority sectors.

The METS Innovation Program aims to support research initiatives spearheaded by Mining, Equipment, Technology, and Services (METS) companies servicing to WA’s mining sector. With a $3 million funding allocation, the program offers a targeted grant scheme providing matched funding of up to $250,000 for qualifying grant recipients, along with project facilitation support for collaborative ventures. It focuses on advancing technologies in MRIWA’s strategic areas, including low-emissions technologies, precision and low-impact mining, critical minerals, and innovative uses of tailings and waste.

The Ignite Ideas Fund offers funding for commercialising highly innovative products or services, at or beyond the minimum viable product stage. This fund serves as a companion program to the Advance Queensland Ignite Spark Program, which supports projects in advancing highly innovative products or services from prototype development through testing and validation to market readiness.

The Defence Ready Initiative (DRI) aims to financially support SMEs in Western Australia engaged in the Defence sector, enhancing their business capability, capacity, and competitiveness. The goal is to enable these businesses to serve as suppliers for products, services, and works aligned with Defence requirements.

Screen Queensland's Games Grants program supports the growth of the local digital games industry by providing funding to Queensland developers and studios. With grants of up to $200,000 available for projects spanning prototype, early access, and full launch, the uplift in the Games Grants program enables projects to secure a maximum of $300,000 in funding throughout their lifecycle.

NSW MVP Ventures Program is committed to supporting startups and innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the product lifecycle, bridging the gap between early-stage research and mature investment opportunities. The program offers grants designed to accelerate the commercialisation of highly innovative products or processes. The Program aims to: support businesses in increasing the commercialisation of innovative products and processes in NSW, and attract and retain commercialisation activities within the state.

The AI Adopt Program offers funding to establish up to five AI Adopt Centres, supporting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in international and interstate trade. These centres aim to facilitate the adoption of responsible AI-enabled services, enhancing the business operations of the participating SMEs. The program's overarching goal is to establish a network of AI Adopt Centres, serving as a primary entry point for SMEs interested in exploring the responsible and safe adoption and usage of AI.

The Industry Growth Program offers support to innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in commercialisation and/or growth projects within the priority areas of the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF). This program comprises Advisory Services and opportunities for matched grant funding. Businesses that have received Advisory Services through the program are eligible to apply for matched grant funding to enhance their projects.