The NSW Government is seeking to identify businesses that intend to accelerate the commercialisation of research products that address the many disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this, the government is partnering with Innovation District partners in New South Wales, including Australian Catholic University, to deliver three rounds of challenges.
These guidelines outline the information businesses need in order to apply for the second challenge (Challenge Two).
Innovation districts are where research institutions and companies cluster and connect with start-ups, business incubators and accelerators and can network and accelerate commercialisation.
Twelve partner institutions (including Australian Catholic University) have aligned with NSW Treasury, as part of the Boosting Business Innovation Program.
Innovation district partners will identify businesses with connections within their area, either through research relationships or physical location, that are potential products or services that address the challenge statement. This will be achieved through an initial Stage 1 - Expression of Interest round with Australian Catholic University. The three finalists from this round will then progress to Stage 2 and submit a final application to NSW Treasury for the funding grants.
The total funding pool available for each Challenge is $500,000.
Grant Recipient |
Funding Available |
Highest ranked applicant |
$250,000 |
Second-highest ranked applicant |
$100,000 |
Third-highest ranked applicant |
$30,000 |
Highest ranked applicant in each Innovation District that is not one of the state-wide overall recipients |
$120,000 ($10,000 for each of the 12 innovation districts) |
Stage 1 - Expression of Interest closes: 11.59pm AEDT 9 March 2021
Stage 2 – Finalist applications due: 4pm AEDT 1 April 2021
The theme for Innovation Districts Challenge Two is solutions that build economic resilience for NSW business to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Projects might address problem areas including:
To be eligible, businesses must have:
Eligible businesses must also provide:
Exclusions
The following will not be considered eligible for funding:
Each of the 12 innovation district partners will lead challenge activities in their respective innovation districts, in some cases, using an expression of interest process.
Australian Catholic University (ACU) is conducting an Expression of Interest process for eligible businesses. This will entail submitting an Expression of Interest through to ACU, and conducting an eligibility check through NSW Treasury.
Should a business be ineligible, ACU may recommend other initiatives and the business may opt in to receive further information regarding the Innovation District COVID-19 R&D Challenges or other initiatives.
ACU will nominate three finalists from the Stage 1: Expression of Interest round. These finalists will then be invited to complete the Stage Two Application form and provide the supporting material outlined below.
Finalist businesses will need to provide:
The 36 finalists, three from each of the 12 innovation district partners, will be competitively ranked by an independent panel against three criteria: impact, effectiveness, and delivery, tabled below. The top 15 ranked businesses of the 36 finalists will receive a grant to accelerate the commercialisation of their products.
Successful applicants will be notified in writing by email and/or letter. Applicants may be required to keep the grant confidential for a period of time if an announcement will be made by the NSW Government.
Successful applicants will be required to enter a grant agreement with NSW Treasury, which will include a requirement that the applicant has and can provide a copy of all relevant insurances, such as public liability insurance or other insurance depending on the application.
As part of their obligations under the grant agreement, successful applicants will be required to submit reports at six month and 12-month intervals, which will include progress against the commercialisation plan and the intended use of funds, following receipt of the funding to NSW Treasury as outlined in the grant agreement.
Guidelines - Innovation Districts COVID-19 R&D Challenges
NSW Treasury information on Innovation Districts COVID-19 R&D Challenges
ACU staff contact – Mr Anthony Bayss, (02) 9701 4756.
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