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Maker Projects Grants aim to foster creativity and inquiry-based learning. They support the development of STEM skills in students and youth under 18 years of age in design, engineering and programming, through hands-on learning.

The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:

• deliver projects where students and youth under 18 years of age, at the time of application, can develop and apply their STEM knowledge through experimentation, tinkering and hands-on learning by engaging with a range of technologies
• encourage practical skills, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking through the delivery of hands-on STEM-related events and activities
• inspire students and youth under 18 years of age to pursue further studies and careers in STEM
• make projects accessible to as many young people as possible, including those in regional, rural and disadvantaged areas
• make a positive and ongoing impact on students and youth under 18 years of age, particularly those historically underrepresented in STEM including as defined in the glossary of the grant opportunity guidelines.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:

• increased practical knowledge and skills in scientific experimentation, design, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship through hands-on activities for students and youth
• increased accessibility and participation in STEM-related events and activities for students and youth under 18 years of age, particularly those historically underrepresented in STEM as defined in the glossary
• positive and ongoing development of STEM skills for participating students and youth, fostered through hands-on inquiry-based learning.

You can apply if you:

• have an Australian business number (ABN)

And are one of the following entities:

• an entity, incorporated in Australia
• an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
• an incorporated association
• an incorporated not for profit organisation
• a publicly funded research organisation (PFRO)
• a government or non-government vocational education and training (VET) provider as defined in section 14 of the grant opportunity guidelines.

You must also deliver the project through a collaborative partnership where:

• the partnership must be established prior to the submission of your application
• the partnership must include at least one partner organisation during the life of the project
• the partnering organisation/s must be active participants in the delivery of the project and not just beneficiaries of the proposed activities.

The Industry Growth Program has been established to support innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas. Participating businesses will have access to Advisory Services to help them overcome the significant challenges that may be associated with their projects.

Commercialisation and growth projects are intended to include those that can already demonstrate completion of feasibility studies and proof-of-concept. Projects are intended to include the journey of product, process or service development from early prototyping through to actual application in its final form, and the capability to scale up to full rate production and grow into new markets.

Participants in the Advisory Service may apply for Commonwealth grant funding to support specific commercialisation and/or growth projects.

The commercialisation and growth stages may include developing marketplace strategies for entry to market, accelerating growth and scaling up into national and international markets.

The Industry Growth Program has been established to support innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas. Participating businesses will have access to Advisory Services to help them overcome the significant challenges that may be associated with their projects.

Early-stage commercialisation projects are intended to include the journey from feasibility studies and the development of proof-of-concept through to the production and testing of early prototypes in a simulated or theoretical environment. Testing should validate the commercial viability of the innovative product, process or service.

Participants in the Advisory Service may apply for Commonwealth grant funding to support early-stage commercialisation projects.

Early-stage commercialisation is a formative stage in the development where your innovative product, process or service is translated, tested, developed and then refined and demonstrated.

The objective of the Early-Stage Commercialisation grant opportunity is to help businesses to undertake the steps necessary to establish the commercial viability of an innovative product, process or service, including steps to undertake feasibility and proof-of-concept through to prototyping.

The program supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas through advisory services and opportunities for matched grant funding. Minor changes or improvements to existing products or services are not considered innovative.

You will be connected to an Industry Growth Program Adviser who will provide tailored advice to support your commercialisation and/or growth project.

Once you have received this advice, you may also be able to apply for:

• grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to support early-stage commercialisation projects
• grants of $100,000 to $5 million for commercialisation and growth projects.

An innovative product, process or service:

• is new, unique or significantly different to any other previous product, process or service in the market or industry where the product is intended to be sold/traded; or
•  involves significant enhancements or developments of current products, processes or services that will enable the business to scale and transform.

Early-stage commercialisation projects are intended to include the journey from feasibility studies and the development of proof-of-concept through to the production and testing of early prototypes in a simulated or theoretical environment. Testing should validate the commercial viability of the innovative product, process or service. Various scales are typically referenced to demonstrate technology readiness or market readiness, with one example commonly referenced being Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). As a guide, early-stage commercialisation grant projects are intended to broadly include the journey through TRL3 to TRL6.

Commercialisation and growth projects are intended to include those that can already demonstrate completion of feasibility studies and proof-of-concept. Projects are intended to include the journey of product, process or service development from early prototyping through to actual application in its final form, and the capability to scale up to full rate production and grow into new markets. Various scales are typically referenced to demonstrate technology readiness or market readiness, with one example commonly referenced being Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). As a guide, commercialisation and growth grant projects are intended to broadly include the journey through TRL4 to TRL9.