AEA Innovate
Funds universities scaling inventions toward commercial-ready solutions through industry partnerships in Australia.
AEA Innovate is the later-stage commercialisation stream in Australia’s Economic Accelerator, run by the Department of Education for Australian universities. It backs projects that already have laboratory proof-of-concept and need scale-up capital to move toward market-ready products, processes, or software. Grants go up to AUD 5 million for up to 24 months. Applicants need projects at TRL 5, 6, or 7 and must bring at least 50% of the total budget from participating organisations through cash or in-kind support. Direct applications are allowed; teams do not need to come through AEA Ignite first. Round 1 announced $93 million across 39 research commercialisation projects, and Round 2 opened on 23 July 2025. This is the better fit for university teams that can already point to a validated concept, an industry partner, and a credible plan for prototypes or pilots in relevant settings. The program rewards projects that can show both technical maturity and commercial traction, not just promising early science.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.