CSIRO has opened applications for an online program, Innovate to Grow: Critical Minerals, for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The free eight-week program aims to help businesses with innovative ideas investigate new research and development (R&D) opportunities and refine their concepts.
CSIRO critical minerals lead Dr Chris Vernon (chair of the Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub Operations Group) said the program would give SMEs the tools and connections to learn how to scale their solutions and capture real market value.
“We’re at a unique moment where global supply chains are being rewritten and Australia is well placed to capitalise on this opportunity,” Dr Vernon said.
“The country has both the resource endowment and research capability to be a major player in downstream processing, but businesses need the right R&D partnerships to compete effectively.”
Since its inception the program has helped more than 700 SMEs nationwide.
Ebbe Dommisse from Iondrive participated in Innovate to Grow in 2024.
“CSIRO was outstanding in understanding the research field and requirements for development and commercialisation activities and immediately made connections within CSIRO and other participants to assist with progressing the technology,” Dr Dommisse said.
CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Critical Minerals is open to SMEs developing or supplying solutions in the following sub-sectors:
- Discovery
- Hard rock mining
- Processing
- Sensing and sorting
- Characterisation
- Sustainable mining technologies
- Battery technology
- Other
Applications close on September 21.