Catalysing the Artificial Intelligence Opportunity in Our Regions - Round 1

The Catalysing the Artificial Intelligence Opportunity in Our Regions program (the program) aims to fund collaborative projects which support regional industries, businesses and communities to realise the benefits from the development, adoption and use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The objectives of the program are to:

• support the development, implementation and demonstration of real-world applications of artificial intelligence technologies that address challenges in regional area(s) in Australia
• increase the awareness and understanding of real-world artificial intelligence applications, opportunities, benefits and risks in regional area(s)
• develop new partnerships between regional industries, businesses and communities with the Australian technology sector.

The intended outcomes of the program are:

• increased adoption, development and use of artificial intelligence technologies in regional area(s) to lift the competiveness, productivity and sustainability of industry and business
• greater trust, inclusion and awareness of artificial intelligence technologies and their applications in regional area(s)
• to bring forward the potential economic, productivity, social and environmental benefits of artificial intelligence in regional Australian economies and communities, supporting job creation.

The program will fund three competitive grant rounds, across 2021-22 to 2024-25. Grants will be awarded to joint partnerships, which must include a lead applicant and project partner(s). To support partnerships with regional organisations, all applications for the program must identify a regional participant, either as the lead applicant or as a project partner.

Applicants to the program must contribute 50 per cent of the total project expenditure in cash contributions from their own resources. Applicants may also provide in-kind contributions, which will be looked on favourably during assessment.