Posted on: 19/07/2024

The First Round of Australia’s Economic Accelerator Grants is Now Open

The first round of Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) grants is now open – with $180 million now available for university researchers and their industry partners to commercialise research.

Medical science is one of the government identified priority areas. Under those priorities these first round of grants will prioritise research projects that align with the following focus areas outlined in the AEA Advisory Board’s Annual Investment Plan 2024-25:

critical and strategic minerals processing
sustainable fuels
digital agriculture
quantum
artificial intelligence (AI)
advanced manufacturing.

Two streams of grants are available:

AEA Ignite which supports early-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $500,000 for a maximum period of 12 months. These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities to complete basic research, laboratory testing and establish proof-of-concept in an industry-relevant environment. Applications for Ignite grants close on Wednesday 28 August 2024.

AEA Innovate which supports mid-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $5 million for a maximum period of 24 months. These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities to collaborate with industry to advance projects that already have laboratory proof-of-concept. Submissions of compulsory Expression of Interest for Innovate grants close on Wednesday 28 August 2024.

Submissions for Ignite applications and Innovate Expression of Interest close Wednesday 28 August 2024.

AEA is a $1.6 billion program supporting universities who partner with Australian businesses to commercialise research that will diversify and transform Australia’s industry and economy.

Find out more here