CSIRO Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program (VEP) is a bilateral initiative designed to connect Australian and Thai agrifood startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with research capabilities, industry partners, and market opportunities in both countries. The program is sponsored by the Australian Government’s Southeast Asia and Australia Government Partnerships program and is managed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, in partnership with Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through Food Innopolis, and the Research University Network (RUN) Thailand.

The program does not provide a cash grant. Instead, selected organisations receive structured program support, including online capability-building sessions, coaching and mentoring, and a travel allowance to cover the costs of participating in two funded in-person immersion weeks. There is no charge for organisations to apply.

The VEP forms part of a broader Australian Government effort to strengthen innovation ecosystem connectivity between Australia and Southeast Asia. It builds on the CSIRO Venture Exchange Program previously delivered with Singapore, which supported participating businesses to build international partnerships, improve investment readiness, and enter new markets.

Key Grant Details

• Support type: Structured 12-week program of online learning, coaching, and mentoring, plus a travel allowance (no direct cash grant)
• Round 1 applications: Open now; close Friday, 31 July 2026, 11:30 pm AEST
• Round 1 delivery: Commences 7 September 2026; Australia Immersion Week 5–9 October 2026; Thailand Immersion Week 16–20 November 2026; program completes 27 November 2026
• Rounds 2 and 3: To be delivered throughout 2027; application portal remains open, and dates will be announced
• Eligible entities: Agrifood startups and SMEs, and incorporated trusts applying through an eligible trustee
• Application cost: Free to apply
• Co-contribution: Not specified as a mandatory cash contribution; participants are expected to commit time (3–5 hours per week) and cover any costs beyond the provided travel allowance
• Location applicability: Open to businesses incorporated in Australia (all states and territories); Thai applicants apply through RUN Thailand affiliation

Priority Sectors

The program is focused on the agrifood sector, with particular emphasis on:

• Sustainable agrifood systems
• Food technology
• Alternative proteins
• Nutrition
• Aquaculture
• Food security

Round 1 is specifically themed “Sustainable Agrifood Systems Development.” Applicants must demonstrate a technology or solution aligned with one or more of the challenge statements published in the VEP program guidelines.

Funding Scope

• Funding structure: The program does not offer tiered or streamed grant amounts. Support is delivered as in-kind program participation plus a travel allowance for the two funded immersion weeks.
• Selection volume: Up to 15 companies per round, split evenly between Australia and Thailand (7 from each country, per round).
• Program duration: 12 weeks per round, combining online engagement with two in-person immersion weeks (one in the home country, one in the target market).
• Timeline: Round 1 runs from 7 September to 27 November 2026. Rounds 2 and 3 will be delivered across 2027, with exact dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, an Australian business must:

• Be a company incorporated in Australia with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) and Australian Company Number (ACN), or be an incorporated trustee applying on behalf of a trust.
• Employ fewer than 200 staff.
• Have, or be actively developing, a technology or solution aligned with the sustainable agrifood systems development challenge statements set out in the VEP program guidelines.
• Be able to commit 3–5 hours per week for the 12-week program duration.
• Be available to participate in both funded immersion weeks (Australia and Thailand)

Thai applicants must be affiliated with the Research University Network (RUN) Thailand.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The program supports participation in the following activities, rather than funding direct capital or operational expenses:

• Online capability-building sessions on future agrifood knowledge, technology, and commercialisation
• Coaching and mentoring from CSIRO and Thai partner experts
• Attendance at two in-person immersion weeks, including industry events and networking opportunities
• Market readiness exploration in the target country (Australia into Thailand, or Thailand into Australia)
• Travel associated with the immersion weeks, supported by the program’s travel allowance

Assessment Process

The Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program is competitive. Each round selects up to 15 companies (7 from each country) from the pool of applications received. While the full assessment criteria are set out in the VEP program guidelines, selection is expected to weigh:

• Alignment with the sustainable agrifood systems development challenge statements
• Strength and maturity of the proposed technology or solution
• Capacity to commit the required time and participate in both immersion weeks
• Potential for cross-border commercialisation and market growth

Recent Program Updates

• The Thailand-Australia VEP was newly launched in 2026, expanding CSIRO’s Venture Exchange Program model following its earlier delivery in Singapore.
• Round 1 is open now, closing 31 July 2026, with delivery running from September to November 2026.
• The application portal will remain open beyond Round 1, allowing businesses to apply for Rounds 2 and 3, scheduled throughout 2027.

Application Tips

• Review the full VEP program guidelines to confirm alignment with the sustainable agrifood systems development challenge statements before applying.
• Prepare evidence of ABN, ACN, and company incorporation status, along with a clear description of the technology or solution.
• Confirm internal capacity to commit 3–5 hours per week and to attend both immersion weeks in Australia and Thailand.
• Align the application narrative with the program’s objectives: cross-border collaboration, commercialisation readiness, and sustainable agrifood innovation.
• Apply before the round closes, as there is no cost to apply and places are limited to 15 companies per round.

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 Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program and other associated Australian government websites.