Grants for innovation

Business innovation often requires an up-front investment of resources to develop new ideas, with a view to future profits. For businesses that are unable to fund their own ideas, a range of grants and financial assistance is available to support innovation. An easy way to find suitable grants is to use a grants directory.

Grants directories

Grants directories are often a good place to start if you are looking for innovation funding, but aren't sure what is available to you. The aim of a grants directory is to provide a list of all available grants in the one place. This allows you to easily find the relevant financial support opportunities for your business.

Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS)

ABLIS provides information about grants and subsidies that are tailored to your specific business and industry.

Queensland Government science and innovation grants

Learn about the range of grants and programs available from Advance Queensland.

Grants and assistance finders

Queensland Government Grants finder – search for Queensland Government grants and assistance programs for your business and research needs.

The Grants and programs tool – search the Australian Government's directory for information on business and industry grant opportunities. This directory can direct you to funding programs for new ideas and initiatives from all levels of government – Queensland, Australian and local.

Entrepreneurs' Infrastructure Program

The Entrepreneurs' Program, delivered by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources, provides easy to access practical support and funding for small and medium businesses to improve business capability and competitiveness, promote economic growth and support the commercialisation of new ideas. Current programs include:

• Growth Grants – small, co-funded grants to engage external expertise to assist businesses with implementing improvements recommended by their Business Evaluation.
• Innovation Connections – a facilitated service to:
• • identify critical and strategic research needs and opportunities for the business;
  • support the business to connect with sources of expertise, technology and advice;
  • provide pathways to engage and collaborate with the research sector.
• Accelerating Commercialisation – help for entrepreneurs, researchers, startups and businesses to address key challenges on the commercialisation pathway of bringing novel products, processes and service to the market.

Renewable energy funding

Renewable energy grants are available for businesses looking to fund an innovative renewable energy project.

Research and development (R&D) tax incentive

The Australian Government's R&D Tax Incentive helps eligible businesses with a generous tax offset of some of the costs of doing R&D. It aims to help innovative businesses to do R&D and is open to firms of all sizes conducting eligible R&D activities in all sectors. View a snapshot of the R&D Tax Incentive for an overview of the program, including eligibility criteria.

Also consider...

• Read about how to prepare and write a grant application.
• Learn about ways to grow your business.