Medical Devices Fund NSW – Round 13

Purpose and Program Overview

The Medical Devices Fund NSW – Round 13 is a competitive grant program. It is managed by the Office for Health and Medical Research under NSW Health. Its main goal is to help commercialise new medical devices and related health technologies. These technologies must address unmet clinical needs and improve patient outcomes in New South Wales. The fund helps speed up the development and market readiness of early-stage medical devices. This aims to generate long-term health, economic, social, and environmental benefits for NSW.

With up to $8 million available for Round 13, this program continues a legacy that began in 2012. Since then, it has provided over $92 million to support 48 promising projects. The Medical Devices Fund is important for NSW’s health innovation ecosystem. It helps bridge the gap between early research and later investment. It helps move technology from a concept to a clinical application.

The fund accepts applications from a range of organisations. This includes individuals, startups, companies, public and private hospitals, medical research institutes, and universities. It also includes collaborations within the medical devices industry. All applicants must have a strong operational presence in or relevance to NSW.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Between $500,000 and $5,000,000 (excluding GST) per project.
• Total funding pool: Up to $8 million for Round 13.
• Application open: 7 April 2025.
• Application close: 13 May 2025 at 5:00 PM AEST for preliminary applications.
• Complete application: By invitation only, after the preliminary application is assessed.
• Eligible industries/business types: NSW-based or strongly NSW-connected medical device innovators. This includes individuals, companies, hospitals, research institutes, and universities.
• Co-contributions: No mandatory co-contribution is required.
• Location/state/territory applicability: New South Wales only.

Priority Sectors

The grant is open to a wide range of medical device technologies. It focuses on innovations that:

• Address unmet clinical needs or gaps in healthcare.
• Improve patient outcomes or health system efficiency.
• Include devices, software, diagnostics, or related medical technology.
• Align with NSW Health priorities for innovative health technologies.

Funding Scope

• Funding range: $500,000 to $5,000,000 per project.
• Funding categories: The funding supports pre-commercial development. This includes:
  • Proof of concept.
  • Prototype development.
  • Clinical validation.
  • Regulatory compliance.
  • Market entry preparation.
• Project timeline: Project timelines vary. They must align with funded activities.

Grant Amount in Total

The total funding allocation for Medical Devices Fund Round 13 is up to $8 million.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must have a strong operational presence in NSW or show a clear benefit to NSW.
• The medical device or technology must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher.
• The applicant must show technical feasibility and a credible commercialisation plan.
• The applicant must show they are financially and operationally viable.
• The applicant must be a financially viable company or commercial enterprise.
• An international company must not own the business.
• The applicant must comply with all relevant regulatory, ethical, and governance standards in Australia.
• The business must be registered for GST with a valid ABN.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The fund supports activities that help commercialise a medical device. This includes:

• Technology development and prototype refinement.
• Pre-clinical and clinical validation.
• Regulatory approvals and compliance.
• Intellectual property protection and licensing.
• Market analysis and commercialisation planning.
• Specialist consulting related to device development.

Assessment Process

Medical Devices Fund is a two-stage, competitive, merit-based process. It involves a preliminary application first. A complete application is by invitation only. The evaluation criteria include:

• Potential impact on patient outcomes and healthcare.
• Innovation and technology readiness.
• Commercial potential and market viability.
• Capability and expertise of the project team.
• Economic, social, and environmental benefits for NSW.

Recent Program Updates

Round 13 opened on 7 April 2025 with $8 million in funding. Two information sessions were held in April 2025. Applicants were required to submit a mandatory 3-minute video. This video had to outline the problem, solution, impact, and how the funding would be used. The program continues to support high-potential medical device innovations.

Application Tips

• Review the program guidelines and eligibility criteria carefully.
• Prepare a clear preliminary application. Focus on the clinical need, innovation, and market opportunity.
• Develop a professional 3-minute video pitch.
• Gather strong evidence of technical and clinical feasibility.
• Get advice from professional grant specialists or NSW Health contacts before the deadline.
• Be ready for a thorough two-stage assessment.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist such as Pattens Group. We offer initial assessments to review your business’s eligibility and evaluate how well your project aligns with the grant’s objectives. You can also visit relevant government websites for application templates and further guidance.