Housing Innovation Network Grants Program NSW

Purpose and Program Overview

The Housing Innovation Network Grants Program is a NSW Government initiative delivered under the NSW Innovation Blueprint, designed to accelerate the adoption of innovative housing solutions across the state’s social, affordable, and sustainable housing sectors. The program supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to pilot and demonstrate practical solutions to challenges identified by Homes NSW within real-world public housing environments.

The program is administered by Investment NSW, a division of the Premier’s Department, with the Deputy Secretary of Investment NSW responsible for final funding decisions. Up to $1.8 million in total competitive funding has been committed for projects delivered between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the fourth quarter of 2027.

By enabling businesses to test and validate innovative products and technologies within an operational public housing setting, the program aims to strengthen local innovation capability, support the objectives of Building Homes for NSW, and contribute to the state’s broader housing supply and affordability targets.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $250,000 (excluding GST) per successful application
• Applications open: 29 June 2026
• Applications close: 9 September 2026, 11:59 pm
• Eligible entities: SMEs incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations, and NSW universities or Publicly Funded Research Organisations (PFROs)
• Co-contribution required: Not specified as mandatory in the published program guidelines
• Location applicability: Applicants must be headquartered in New South Wales

Priority Sectors

The program does not designate specific industry sectors. Instead, eligibility is defined by alignment with Challenge Statements issued by Homes NSW, which set out the specific housing delivery problems the program seeks to address. Businesses working in modern methods of construction (MMC), smart building products, digital technologies for housing delivery, and related innovation areas relevant to social and affordable housing are encouraged to apply.

Funding Scope

• Grant range: Grants are available up to a maximum of $250,000 (excluding GST) per project
• Total funding pool: Up to $1.8 million in competitive funding across the program round
• Funding structure: A single funding stream supporting pilot and demonstration activities; no separate feasibility or capital works streams are specified
• Project duration: Funded pilots must be delivered within a period of up to 12 months
• Delivery window: Projects are expected to be delivered between Q4 2026 and Q4 2027

Eligibility Criteria

• Be one of the following entity types:
  • A company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), including a company limited by guarantee
  • An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
  • A NSW university or NSW-based Publicly Funded Research Organisation, applying through its technology transfer office or equivalent
• Meet the SME threshold by demonstrating either:
  • An aggregate turnover of less than $50 million for each of the three financial years prior to application, and/or
  • Fewer than 200 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees
• Hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Be headquartered in New South Wales
• Hold an account with an Authorised Deposit-taking Institution
• Hold the relevant intellectual property or commercialisation rights for the proposed solution
• Demonstrate a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or higher, supported by evidence such as test results, prototype specifications, or prior trial data
• Agree to program data ownership and reporting terms set out in the Funding Agreement

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Piloting and demonstrating housing solutions within an operational public housing environment
• Testing solutions that have progressed beyond early-stage development and are ready for demonstration but not yet commercialised
• Trialling already-commercialised solutions from other settings that have not previously been tested in the NSW public housing context
• Activities directly addressing one or more Challenge Statements issued by Homes NSW
• Project delivery costs associated with the 12-month pilot period, as outlined in the applicant’s project plan and budget

Assessment Process

The Housing Innovation Network Grants Program is competitive. Investment NSW first confirms that applications meet eligibility requirements, after which an Assessment Panel scores eligible applications against four weighted criteria:

• Challenge fit, benefits and readiness (20 points): How directly the solution addresses a Homes NSW Challenge Statement, its measurable value proposition, and its alignment with Building Homes for NSW priorities
• Deliverability of the pilot solution (30 points): Clarity of the project plan, budget, milestones, risk management, resourcing, and team capability
• Commercial viability and scale-up potential (30 points): The degree of innovation, market opportunity, customer demand, and go-to-market strategy
• Financial viability (10 points): Evidence that the applicant organisation is financially sound and able to deliver the pilot

Final funding decisions rest with the Deputy Secretary, Investment NSW, based on the Assessment Panel’s recommendations.

Recent Program Updates

The program guidelines and challenge statements were published in June 2026, ahead of the round opening on 29 June 2026. The Housing Innovation Network Grants Program sits alongside a related initiative, the Housing Innovation in Construction Fund, which supports modern methods of construction manufacturing capability through a separate, non-competitive funding stream. Applicants should confirm which program best matches their project stage and objectives before applying.

Application Tips

• Review the Challenge Statements closely and ensure the proposed pilot addresses one of the specific problems identified by Homes NSW
• Prepare evidence of Technology Readiness Level 6 or higher, including test results, prototype specifications, or prior trial data, before starting the application
• Develop a clear, realistic project plan with defined milestones, budget, and risk mitigation strategies, as deliverability is the most heavily weighted assessment criterion
• Articulate the commercial opportunity clearly, including target customers, demand assumptions, and a credible path to scale-up and adoption
• Confirm turnover and FTE figures align with the SME eligibility thresholds before submitting
• Apply well ahead of the closing date to allow time to gather supporting documentation for the SmartyGrants application form

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the Housing Innovation Network Grants Program and other associated Australian government websites.