Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants

Cooperative Research Centres Projects Grants sit under the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and support short-term industry-led collaborations that develop new products, services, or processes. The program is built around practical commercialization and applied research, with an Australian SME as the lead applicant and a consortium that also includes at least one other Australian industry organisation and one Australian research organisation. Awards run from $100,000 to $3 million and can cover up to 50% of eligible costs, with project length capped at three years. The cycle pattern is multiple per year, and the eligibility rules require Australian registration and operations, a for-profit lead applicant, and a consortium structure that includes a research partner. The notes also place the current round at an AI Accelerator focus, with Round 19 closing on 12 May 2026 and outcomes expected in August 2026; Round 18 had already funded 27 robotics and automation projects with $66 million in March 2026. This route fits SMEs that can show a specific product or process opportunity and a partner set that can execute quickly. It is a better match for a defined development problem than for open-ended research, because the grant is matched and time-bounded. Administered through AusIndustry and the Business Grants Hub, it rewards applicants that can combine commercial traction, a credible research partner, and a tight delivery plan.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.