Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants

Purpose and Program Overview

Round 19 of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) program provides matched grant funding to support short‑term, industry‑led collaborative research projects that develop or enhance products, services or processes with clear commercial outcomes for Australian industry. This round forms part of the Australian Government’s AI Accelerator initiative and places a strong emphasis on advancing artificial intelligence (AI) systems and technologies in line with the National AI Plan, National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas, and the National Science and Research Priorities.

The total funding pool for Round 19 is up to $60 million, with up to $20 million ring‑fenced specifically for AI‑related projects. By requiring collaboration between at least one SME, other industry partners and an Australian research organisation, the program is designed to strengthen industry–research linkages, accelerate commercialisation, and improve the competitiveness and productivity of Australian businesses across key sectors.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Matched funding from $100,000 to $3 million per project.​
• Total funding available: Up to $60 million, including up to $20 million for AI projects.
• Opening date: 18 March 2026.​
• Closing date: 12 May 2026.​
• Expected announcement: Mid 2026.
• Project duration: Up to 3 years (short‑term projects only).​
• Eligible entities: Industry‑led consortia including at least one Australian SME, one other Australian industry partner and at least one Australian research organisation.
• Required co‑contribution: Projects must provide matched funding (at least 1:1 cash and/or in‑kind) with a minimum total project value of $200,000.
• Location: Available Australia‑wide for organisations registered and operating in Australia.​
• Program type: Competitive, merit‑based grant round.

Priority Sectors

Round 19 is open to all sectors but specifically highlights AI‑enabled development and commercialisation in:

• Healthcare and medical technologies.
• Agriculture and agritech.
• Resources and energy, including clean energy applications.
• Advanced and critical manufacturing.

In addition, projects are expected to align with broader Commonwealth priorities, including the National AI Plan, NRF priority areas and the National Science and Research Priorities. While robotics and automation were a priority in Round 18, they are no longer listed as a specific priority area in Round 19.

Funding Scope

• Minimum grant amount per project: $100,000 in matched funding.​
• Maximum grant amount per project: $3 million in matched funding.​
• Minimum total project value: $200,000 (combined grant and partner contributions).
• No formal internal “streams” are defined; all applications are assessed under the single CRC-P program structure, covering applied research, proof‑of‑concept, and pre‑commercialisation activities.
• Funding duration: Projects can run for up to 3 years, and all activities and expenditure must fall within the approved project period.

Grant funds are intended to support collaborative R&D and commercialisation rather than ongoing operational expenditure, general business‑as‑usual costs or purely capital‑intensive infrastructure with limited research content. Applicants must budget for eligible expenditure only and note that contingency costs of up to 10% are no longer eligible in Round 19.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for CRC-P Round 19, applications must meet the following core requirements (not exhaustive):

• The project must be an industry‑led collaborative research project, with a lead applicant that is an eligible Australian entity (typically an incorporated company) and an SME as a key industry participant.
• The collaboration must include at least two Australian industry organisations (one must be an SME) and at least one Australian research organisation (such as a university, CRC or publicly funded research agency).
• All partners must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered and operating in Australia; many applicants will also be registered for GST where required under Australian tax law.
• The project must have a total minimum value of $200,000 and request between $100,000 and $3 million in matched grant funding.
• The project must aim to develop a new or significantly improved product, service or process that addresses an industry‑identified problem and generates tangible benefits to industry, particularly SMEs.
• Applicants must comply with all relevant Commonwealth, state and territory laws, including workplace, safety, industrial relations and environmental regulations, and must not be listed as ineligible entities (for example, non‑compliant under the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012).​
• Lead applicants must be financially viable and able to demonstrate they can meet their share of project costs and manage the project in line with Commonwealth grants administration requirements.​

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Eligible activities must be directly related to the project and are expected to include one or more of the following:

• New applied research that advances technology readiness towards commercial deployment.
• Proof‑of‑concept and prototyping activities, including trials, pilots and demonstrations in relevant or operational environments.
• Pre‑commercialisation of research outcomes, such as product refinement, validation, and preparation for market entry.
• Industry‑focused education and training, including internships, secondments and skills development that support the adoption and diffusion of project outcomes.​
• Project management and collaboration costs that are directly attributable to delivering the project, including some labour, contractor and operating expenses.​

In Round 19, contingency allowances (previously up to 10%) and costs associated with engaging lobbyists are specifically identified as ineligible expenditures and cannot be included as eligible project costs.

Assessment Process

CRC-P Round 19 is a competitive, merit‑based grant round; applications are assessed against published criteria and against each other. An independent assessment committee reviews applications and provides recommendations to the decision maker, who considers eligibility, relative merit, and whether each proposal represents value with relevant money under Commonwealth resource management requirements.

Core assessment criteria (based on previous rounds and the continuing framework) include the following:

• Project merit: technical feasibility, innovativeness, strength of the collaboration, and the quality of the research and commercialisation approach.
• Alignment with government priorities: contribution to AI systems and technologies, NRF priority areas, and National Science and Research Priorities.
• Industry impact and benefits: potential to improve competitiveness, productivity, sustainability and capability of Australian industry, particularly SMEs.
• Value for money: appropriateness of the budget, level and nature of partner contributions, and proportionality of the grant requested to expected outcomes.​

Recent Program Updates

Round 19 introduces several important updates compared with Round 18:

• Artificial intelligence systems and technologies are now a primary priority area under the AI Accelerator initiative, with up to $20 million dedicated to AI projects.
• Robotics and automation, which were prioritised in Round 18, have been removed as a specific priority area in Round 19.
• Contingency costs (previously claimable up to 10%) are no longer eligible for expenditure.
• Costs associated with engaging lobbyists are now explicitly identified as ineligible.​

Round 19 formally opened on 18 March 2026, with applications closing on 12 May 2026 and funding expected to commence from mid‑2026 following the assessment and approval processes.

Application Tips

Applicants should approach CRC-P Round 19 as a structured, competitive process and plan accordingly. Before committing resources, each consortium should confirm that the proposed project, partners and funding structure meet all eligibility criteria and that participants can demonstrate financial and delivery capability.

Practical tips include the following:

• Review the Round 19 Grant Opportunity Guidelines, program FAQs and sample application forms in detail, paying particular attention to eligibility, eligible expenditure and AI priority requirements.
• Start early to assemble the consortium, define governance arrangements and secure letters of support and partner contribution agreements.
• Clearly articulate the industry problem, proposed solution, AI or technology innovation, and the pathway to commercialisation and adoption.
• Align the proposal explicitly with the National AI Plan, NRF priority areas and the National Science and Research Priorities, and reference these where relevant in responses.
• Provide a realistic project plan (milestones, risk management, IP arrangements, resourcing) and a well‑justified budget that demonstrates value for money.
• Emphasise measurable outcomes such as jobs, exports, capability uplift, productivity gains, and benefits to SMEs and supply chains.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like the Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Pattens Group can help interpret the guidelines, structure the collaboration, optimise the budget and ensure the proposal addresses the key assessment criteria.

For official guidelines, application details, templates and further information, visit the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants page on business.gov.au and other associated Australian Government websites for Round 19 program documentation and updates.

Give Your Application For CRC Grants A Boost Now

Key Takeaways

• Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) grants can suit small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that need an Australian research partner and an additional industry partner to commercialise a defined capability.
• Strong proposals for CRC grants make the commercial logic explicit by clearly stating the problem, why collaboration is essential, and how the output will be adopted in the market.
• Applications are strengthened when milestones, roles, evidence, and risk mitigations are aligned into a delivery plan that assessors can verify.
• The CRC program often fits sectors like MedTech, software, advanced manufacturing, and FoodTech where rigorous validation supports real-world deployment.
• Readiness is improved when partners are confirmed, co-contributions are documented, and formal agreements are in place outlining mutual funding obligations between industry partners.

Cooperative Research Centres Project grants, also known as CRC grants, support collaborative innovation, with research organisations and industry partners working together to achieve commercially focused outcomes. 

At Pattens Group, we serve as reliable business advisers for grant applications and strategies. 

This type of SME research support can suit organisations that need partners to commercialise new capabilities.

CRC grants are commonly considered when a business has outlined a specific product, service, or process that needs further development. This business research funding enables the engagement of a second industry partner, in which the collaboration may help accelerate outcomes without equity dilution. 

Applicants are generally expected to have agreements in place with industry partners that define roles, responsibilities, and mutual funding commitments, demonstrating their shared investment in project outcomes. 

These grants, though highly competitive, are generally pursued when the work is larger than a single organisation can execute alone, and collaboration is essential for speed, capability, or credibility.

A CRC research funding proposal is strengthened when commercial logic is explicit and testable.

Credibility generally starts with identifying a specific industry problem and crafting a practical solution path. Then, you can explain the necessity for collaboration to achieve a commercial endpoint. 

Similar to those for R&D government grants, strong applications also typically delineate how the project output will integrate into the market. They specify the users, deployment strategies, and foreseen operational benefits that resonate with the SME partner. 

On top of this, projects gain persuasive power when milestones, roles, and evidence align. A structured plan reassures assessors of realistic delivery expectations. Even so, risk shouldn’t be avoided when trying to secure Australian innovation funding. It helps to address technical uncertainties, delivery barriers, and adoption challenges early on, each with actionable mitigations.

You can boost your chances when you get expert help with CRC grant applications and beyond.

If you’re a business owner wanting to turn an idea into a venture that can disrupt or transform the market, or simply better the lives of people in your community, then it’s worth hiring a consultant of our calibre to secure business grants.

Pattens Group helps you tap into the country’s abundant resources, so your business idea can potentially receive the push it needs through programs like R&D grants and others. Our track record also speaks for itself. With our team’s diversified experience in international business, accounting, taxation, and grant processes, we know the intricacies of securing research collaboration funding. 

Plus, as Australia’s leading grants specialists, we combine an expert, accredited, multidisciplinary team with end-to-end funding strategies. You can rest assured that our engagement goes beyond drafting applications.

There can be a high impact in innovation sectors.

MedTech and health technology

CRC grants can support applied research and translation work necessary for ensuring compliance with stringent healthcare requirements. For example, a MedTech business can align with a research organisation to verify the performance of a medical device in a specific clinical setting. This means that commercial readiness may be strengthened before broader rollout.

Software and technology

Companies may look into government research grants to validate algorithms or enhance system reliability under real-world conditions. Take, for instance, a software business aiming to embed a groundbreaking modelling method. Collaboration allows for rigorous testing, helping ensure they meet requirements before customer deployment. 

Manufacturing and advanced engineering

The dual need for practical production methods and strategic research makes CRC grants particularly useful. For instance, an advanced manufacturer can collaborate with other organisations to test new fabrication techniques aimed at improving output or quality. 

FoodTech and sustainable production

Innovation grants in Australia can also help when a business needs research-backed validation to improve safety, efficiency, or resource use in production. In this instance, a FoodTech business can collaborate with a research body to ensure a method for reducing production waste while enhancing product consistency. 

With this, it’s easy to see that there are various applications for CRC grants. Still, we understand that not all funding applies to all businesses, which is why we can guide you to appropriate pathways, be it other grants or even a research and development tax incentive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What level of project readiness is expected before applying?

Applications for CRC grants are supported when your project is clearly defined. With this, you generally must outline a specific industry problem and present a practical plan for R&D grant opportunities. Then, identify your project partners by name and craft a credible delivery timetable of up to 3 years. It’s also crucial to demonstrate your ability to match the grant funding through cash or in-kind contributions. 

With this in mind, we can check readiness and evidence before you commit time to a competitive round.

How is commercial impact evaluated during assessment?

Commercial impact gets evaluated by how well your project transforms R&D into practical outcomes. Assessors seek a clear market need and the measurable benefits provided to the SME lead and partners. They expect a credible route to adoption, be it through revenue generation, productivity gains, or uplifting industry capabilities. 

Whether you apply for CRC grants in Australia or for other options like the Innovation Booster Grant, strong proposals connect the technical work to who will use it, how it will be deployed, and why it matters commercially.

Can international research partners participate?

CRC projects emphasise Australian-based collaborations. Core eligibility requirements include having Australian industry partners and a collaborating Australian research organisation. While international research partners can contribute in a supporting role, they cannot replace the key Australian project partners or shift the project’s control offshore. 

When it comes to government funding for SMEs, treat any overseas involvement as an add-on, and confirm the rules with us for the specific round before finalising the consortium.

Pattens Group supports you with a strategy-first approach and grant delivery systems.

Our experience spans over 35 years and boasts a 100% success rate on tax-based claims, particularly those relating to a research and development tax offset. We even have more than 1,000 grants actively mapped and assessed, as well as over $3 billion in successful grant and incentive claims secured. In line with this, our team also specialises in sectors like technology, manufacturing, and MedTech. 

Bringing everything together, our No Win, No Fee model removes the pressure of upfront fees, so you only pay when the service or product development funding is approved. 

When you’re ready, you can book a free, no-obligation consultation with grant experts. In this session, we’ll help you uncover the best funding opportunities for your research initiatives, simplify the application process and maximise your potential for success.

Whether you’re considering CRC grants or pathways such as the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, check your eligibility with us now. 

Disclaimer: Information provided is general in nature and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Eligibility for government grants and incentives is subject to program guidelines and assessment by relevant authorities.