CSIRO Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC)

The Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) program funds Queensland-based SMEs to run a collaborative R&D project with one of four regional Queensland universities: James Cook University, Central Queensland University, University of the Sunshine Coast, or University of Southern Queensland. Eligible SMEs receive up to $50,000 in dollar-matched funding (minimum voucher $10,000; minimum total project value $20,000), and access regional research facilitators plus the free Innovate to Grow R&D training program. RUIC is funded by the Queensland Government and delivered by CSIRO. To be eligible, a business must have an ABN plus an ACN or ICN, be GST-registered, have been operating for at least one year, have less than $20 million turnover/expenditure in the last financial year, and be able to match grant funding 1:1 in cash. Projects must focus on STEM fields — marketing and market research are excluded. The voucher is paid to the partner university, which performs the work; the business pays the matching half directly. IP is negotiated project-by-project but typically assigned to the business. Applications run year-round and CSIRO aims to respond within 10 working days. A second voucher of up to $50,000 is available once the first project is complete.

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