Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter - April 2022

Welcome to our Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter

Welcome to our Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities Newsletter where you will find details of grant and funding programs that are available for the Northern Inland Region for businesses and infrastructure projects.

Due to the number of grants that are available, we send two funding opportunities newsletters a month; one for Business and Infrastructure and another for Community Projects and Award Programs. These newsletters are a free service that we provide, and can you can add the Community Funding Opportunities and Awards Programs newsletter to your subscriptions by filling your details into on the left hand side of our website: www.rdani.org.au

We wish you all the best with the Funding Opportunities below and if you are looking for a grant between newsletters, have a look at the grants search tool on our website which is updated with new grants weekly: www.rdani.org.au/grants-funding/search.php

If you need some facts and figures for your applications, a range of data for our region is also available on our website here: www.rdani.org.au/our-region/regional-data.php

Please note the below information is intended as a guide only. Closing dates and other details should be verified using the links provided as they are subject to change by the providers without notice.

Featured Grants

Boosting Female Founders Initiative – Round Three
Closes: 2nd of June 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: $100,000 to $480,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

The program will provide targeted support through grants on a co-contribution basis to female owned and led startups to scale into domestic and/or global markets.

The objectives of the program are to:

• stimulate private sector investments into innovative startups led by women
• help women entrepreneurs overcome barriers to accessing finance and support necessary to scale their startups
• enable female founders to scale-up, expand into domestic and/or global markets, and become self-sufficient
• boost the economy through increasing the diversity of startup founders.

 

Clean Technology Commercialisation Grants
Closes: 3rd of June 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: $250,000 to $5 Million
Run By: NSW Government Energy Saver

The NSW Government has established the Clean Technology Commercialisation Grants to accelerate the commercialisation and scaling up of proven clean technology innovations for trade in Australian and international markets. Funded by the Climate Change Fund, these competitive grants will help unlock the next wave of low emissions technologies needed for NSW to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The decarbonisation priority areas prioritised for these grants are:

•  electrification and energy systems – accelerating renewable energy solutions and supporting the uptake of electrification in other sectors
• land and primary industries – coordinating and aligning efforts in the next wave of sustainable primary industry practices as the sector contributes a significant proportions of NSW emissions
• power fuels including hydrogen – growing an environmentally sustainable NSW power fuels industry and unlocking decarbonisation opportunities for many hard to abate sectors beyond 2030.

 

COVID-19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program - Phase 3
Closes: 30th of June 2023 - 11:30 pm
Value: $20,000 to $23.42 Million Estimated
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

The purpose of the LRCI Program is to support local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project construction can commence once Project Nominations are approved by the Department with projects required to be physically completed by 30 June 2023.

As with the earlier Phases of the LRCI Program, Eligible Funding Recipients can select a broad range of projects to fund so that communities can continue to be provided with the infrastructure they require. It is expected that Eligible Funding Recipients will use local businesses and workforces to deliver projects wherever possible to ensure stimulus funding flows into local communities.

Co-contributions are not required under the LRCI Program, but Local Councils may expend their own funds on Eligible Projects. Any unspent funds in a Council's allocation will be forfieted.

 

Closing in April

Clean Technology Research, Development and Commercialisation Infrastructure Grants
Closes: 22nd of April 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: $1 Million to $10 Million
Run By: NSW Government Energy Saver
Funds world-leading research, development and commercialisation infrastructure to help accelerate NSW’s shift to net zero emissions by 2050. 

Indigenous Skills and Employment Program – Stage One
Closes: 26th of April 2022 - 11:30 pm
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: National Indigenous Australians Agency
Supports innovative approaches to target specific local barriers, and encourage the aspirations of Indigenous people in specific areas.

On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
Closes: 30th of April 2022 or until expended
Value: Up to $25,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Rebates to buy and instal on-farm water infrastructure to water livestock and permanent plantings.

Closing in May

Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) - Round 13
Closes: 5th of May 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: $100,000 to $3 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Supports industry-led collaborations on projects for up to three years between industry, researchers and the community.

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Capability Centres Grants
Closes: 12th of May 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: Up to $11 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Funding to establish one of four AI and Digital Capability Centresthat will connect SMEs with AI equipment and tools, provide services and training, and link SMEs to AI skills and expertise.

Regional Airports Program – Round 3
Closes: 17th of May 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: $20,000 to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Funding to improve the safety and accessibility of airports or aerodromes in regional areas of Australia.

Off-farm Efficiency Grants Program
Closes: 27th of May 2022
Value: $50,000 to $1.5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Provides owners or operators of water delivery infrastructure in the Murray-Darling Basin funding to help achieve a sustainable future.

Closing in June

Linkage Program : Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities - 2022
Closes: 1st of June 2022
Value: $150,000 per year and up to 75% of the total direct cost of the eligible budget items
Run By: Australian Research Council
Supports the growth of research partnerships between university-based researchers and researchers in other sectors in Australia and overseas.

Business Event Grants - 2022
Closes: 1st of June 2022 - 6:00 pm or until funding is exhausted
Value: Up to $30,000
Run By: Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
Funding to create, attract and support exciting business events for regional NSW and to support new business event initiatives.

Boosting Female Founders Initiative – Round Three
Closes: 2nd of June 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: $100,000 to $480,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Supports female owned and led startups to scale into domestic and/or global markets.

Clean Technology Commercialisation Grants
Closes: 3rd of June 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: $250,000 to $5 Million
Run By: NSW Government Energy Saver
Funding to accelerate the commercialisation and scaling up of proven clean technology innovations for trade in Australian and international markets

Methane Emissions Reduction in Livestock - Stage 3: Validation and Demonstration - Round 1
Opens: 26th of April 2022
Closes: 7th of June 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: $1 Million to $3 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Aims to validate and demonstrate the technology solutions through large-scale trials that incorporate low emission feed supplements.

Special Disaster Grants – NSW Severe Weather & Flooding November 2021
Closes: 16th of June 2022
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Support to bring primary production business back to ‘normal’ operations after servere weather and flooding post November 2021.

Defence Global Competitiveness Grants
Ongoing Until Closes: 30th of June 2022
Value: $15,000 to $150,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Helps Australian SMEs to invest in projects that build export capability to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry.

Jobs Plus Program
Closes: 30th of June 2022
Value: Payroll Tax releif for up to four years and support
Run By: NSW Government
Supports companies who want to relocate their head offices to NSW, or expand their jobs footprint in NSW that will create 30 new net jobs.

Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate
Closes: 30th of June 2022
Value: Up to $3,000
Run By: NSW Government
A small business fees and charges rebate for sole traders, small business and not-for-profit organisations in NSW.

Supply Chain Support Grant - Storms & Floods Feb & March 2021 - Horticulture
Closes: 30th of June 2022
Value: Up to $75,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Support for horticulture businesses impacted by storms and floods in February and March 2021.

Supply Chain Support Grant - Storms & Floods Feb-Mar 21 - Agriculture
Closes: 30th of June 2022
Value: Up to $100,000 based on industry
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Support for dairy, livestock and broadacre cropping farms impacted by storms and floods in February and March 2021.

Alfresco Restart Rebate
Closes: 30th of June 2022 or until 5,000 registrations
Value: Up to $5,000
Run By: Service NSW
A rebate for small or medium food and beverage business wanting to create or expand their outdoor dining area.

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant - 2022
Closes: 30th of June 2022
Value: $10,000 to $40,000
Run By: NSW Government Department of Education
Subsidises the salary, development and support costs of Aboriginal employees in public service agencies and local government authorities.

Closing Later and Ongoing

Moon to Mars Initiative Demonstrator Mission Grants
Closes: 1st of July 2022 - 5:00 pm
Value: $750,000 to $1.5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Supports businesses and researchers to join NASA’s endeavour to go forward to the Moon and then go on to Mars.

Linkage Program : Linkage Projects - 2022
Closes: 13th of December 2022
Run By: Australian Research Council
Supports projects which initiate or develop long term strategic research and industry alliances for commercial or other benefits.

Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement
Closes: 30th of April 2023
Value: $250,000 to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Supports Australian businesses with domestic or international supply chain opportunities by providing grant funds for building their capacity, skills and capabilities.

1,000 Jobs Package Grant Funding
Closes: 30th of June 2023 , or when exhausted
Value: Up to $56,000 (GST exclusive) over two years
Run By: National Indigenous Australians Agency
Tranche Two provides a subsidy for new jobs for Community Development Program participants in remote Australia to support economic development.

COVID-19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program - Phase 3
Closes: 30th of June 2023 - 11:30 pm
Value: $20,000 to $23.42 Million Estimated
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Supports Local Councils to create jobs by delivering priority local road and community infrastructure projects. 

Regional and Remote Airports Security Awareness Program
Closes: 30th of May 2024 - 5:00 pm
Value: $1,000 to $5,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
Re-imbursement based funding to support regional and remote airports to meet requirements of the Screener Accreditation Scheme.

Regional Australia Microgrid Pilots Program
Closes: 31st of December 2026 or until expended
Value: $1 Million to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government: Australian Renewable Energy Agency
Support pilot projects for microgrids in Regional Australia.

Advancing Renewables Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Australian Government: Australian Renewable Energy Agency
Supports a broad range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects that can deliver affordable and reliable renewable energy for Australian families and businesses.

AgBiz Drought Loans
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $500,000
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
A concessional loan if your small business is currently or has been supplying goods or services relating to primary production to farm businesses in an affected area.

Australian Government's Youth Jobs PaTH
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $11,000
Run By: Australian Government Job Active
Helps employers find and recruit the right young person for their business by facilitating trials and providing a wage subsidy of up to $10,000 if you hire them.

Black Spot Program
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
By funding measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts at dangerous locations, the programme reduces the risk of road crashes.

CSIRO Kick-Start
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $50,000 matched funding
Run By: CSIRO
Funding support and access to CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to help grow and develop their business.

Dreamstarter - Grants for Growth
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: ING
Provides ING Dreamstarter Alumni with access to funding to accelerate the growth of their businesses and increase their positive social impact. 

Drought Loans
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2 Million
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
Concessional loan to help farm businesses in the agriculture, horticulture, pastoral, apiculture, or aquaculture industryto prepare for, manage through, and recover from drought.

English Family Foundation - Ingnitor Fund
Closes: Applications are ongoing
Value: Up to $100,000
Run By: English Family Foundation
Supports Australian social enterprise change makers who are finding new and innovative solutions to tackle the most pressing issues within their local communities.

Entrepreneurs’ Programme- SMART Projects and Supply Chains
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Tailored advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Provides access to a skilled advisor who will work with you to develop an improvement plan for an identified supply chain opportunity and support you as you implement the plan.

Farm Investment Loans
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2 Million
Run By: Australian Government Regional Investment Corporation
You can apply for this loan if you solely or mainly sell products into supply chains that are interstate or outside Australia, or plan to in the future.

Get Connected Listing for Tourism Businesses
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Website Listing
Run By: Destination NSW
Provides tourism operators with the opportunity to showcase your tourism products on Destination NSW’s consumer websites for free.

Impact Investment Ready Growth Grant
Closes: Ongoing rounds through the year
Value: Up to $140,000
Run By: Impact Investing Australia
Provides impact businesses and mission-driven organisations with grants for business, financial, legal and other capacity building support from providers to secure investment.

Indigenous Business Australia
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Financial support and advice
Run By: Indigenous Business Australia
Assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access the skills, knowledge and resources required to start and grow viable and sustainable businesses.

Innovation Connections
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $50,000
Run By: AusIndustry
Provides small and medium sized businesses with access to expert technology advice to address technology and knowledge gaps, and collaborate with the research sector in developing new ideas with commercial potential.

Landing Pads for Start Ups
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Support
Run By: Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
Assists market-ready scaleups take their business globalby providing an operational base and customised support for their overseas expansion goals.

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Income Assistance and Advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Employment
NEIS is a program delivered by a network of 21 providers who provide individualised help for job seekers to become self-employed business owners.

Newsagents Assistance Fund
Closes: Unspecified
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: NSW Fair Trading
The Newsagents Assistance Fund assists eligible agents to update their NSW Lotteries retail image and fit-out to align with the NSW Lotteries brand.

Regional Investment Attraction - Investment Concierge
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Support
Run By: NSW Government
Grants and interest-free loans targeted at offsetting government levies and duties, such as payroll tax, to eligible businesses that want to invest and grow in regional NSW, which will lead to new jobs.

Regional Skills Relocation Grant
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $10,000 per worker
Run By: NSW Government Department of Regional NSW
Support for the costs of relocating skilled staff from metropolitan centres around Australia to Regional NSW.

Restart
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $10,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment
Restart is a financial incentive of up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) to encourage businesses to hire and retain mature age employees who are 50 years of age and over.

Safe and Secure Water Program
Closes: Ongoing until expended
Value: No minimum or maximum, $1 Billion total pool
Run By: NSW Government
Co-funds eligible water and sewerage projects that deliver economic growth in regional NSW through improvements to public health, water security, environmental outcomes and/or social benefits.

Tradex Scheme
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Varies based on the the goods imported
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Provides an upfront exemption from Customs duty and GST for eligible goods imported to Australia that are then exported within one year or other approved period.

Business Connect
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Advice and Support
Run By: NSW Government
A dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business.

Disaster Relief Loans - Primary producers
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $130,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Low interest loans for primary producers who have been directly affected by a declared natural disaster including floods, fires or storm damage,

Small business rebate
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $500
Run By: SafeWork NSW
Provides up to $500 to small business owners and sole traders in NSW who buy and install equipment to make their workplace safer.

Ladies in Livestock Program
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Northern Tablelands Local Land Services
Delivers hands-on, practical skills to women as independent land stewards with a keen interest in agriculture, to work and make decisions on properties.

Disaster Relief Loans - Small business
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $130,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Low interest loans for small businesses who have been directly affected by a declared natural disaster including floods, fires or storm damage,

Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $15,000
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
A transport subsidy is available to eligible farmers who are affected by a declared natural disaster event.

Entrepreneurs’ Programme - Growth Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: $2,500 to $20,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Funding to help improve specific business areas that have been been recommended in a roadmap or plan by a facilitator through a Growth Service in the Entrepreneurs' Programme.

Entrepreneurs’ Programme - Growth Roadmap
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Expert Advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
provides an analysis of your business carried out on-site by an independent and skilled growth facilitator to develop a Growth Roadmap.

Major Project Status
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Government Support
Run By: Major Projects Facilitation Agency
Formally recognises the significance of a project to the Australian economy and provides extra support and coordinated approvals.

Accelerating Commercialisation
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $1 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Provides expert guidance and support to help you commercialise novel products, processes and services and find a commercialisation solution.

Business Energy Advice Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Expert Advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
A free personalised energy consultation and access to a Small Business Energy Check tool.

Entrepreneurs’ Programme - High Growth Accelerator
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Expert Advice
Run By: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
Provides access to skilled and experienced facilitators for up to two years to help your business develop the skills, knowledge, strategies and connections to accelerate growth.

Employment Assistance Fund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Job Access
Assists people with disabilities and mental health conditions to buy work related modifications and services.

Workplace Legal Advice Program
Closes: Ongoing
Run By: Fair Work Ombudsman
Provides eligible employers and employees with free independent legal help to deal with workplace issues arising from the coronavirus outbreak. 

Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $4,500
Run By: Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment

Bridges Renewal Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Funding to upgrade and replaceme of bridges to enhance access for local communities and facilitate higher productivity vehicle access.

Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $5 Million
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Funds infrastructure projects that improve the productivity and safety outcomes of heavy vehicle operations across Australia.

NSW Quad Bike Safety Rebate
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2,000
Run By: SafeWork NSW
Support for farmers and businesses to improve quad bike safety by investing in key safety items.

Minimum Viable Product Grants
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $25,000
Run By: NSW Government
Supports pre-revenue technology startups to help them engage with a potential business customer, or channel to market.  

Regional Roads REPAIR Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Transport for NSW
assist councils in carrying out larger rehabilitation and development works on regional roads.

Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool (BIERP)
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $500,000
Run By: Transport for NSW
Funding for repair or replacement of recreational boating infrastructure.

NSW Forest Industries Innovation Fund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $5 Million
Run By: Rural Assistance Authority
Provides long-term low-interest loans to projects that contribute to supporting NSW Forest Industry innovation.

Traffic Route Lighting Subsidy
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Undisclosed
Run By: Transport for NSW
A subsidy for providing a higher level of lighting on certain major routes, with the aim of decreasing night time road crashes.

Electric Vehicle Rebate
Closes: Until allocation exhausted
Value: to $3,000
Run By: NSW Government
Rebates for the first 25,000 new full battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles purchased.

Electric Vehicle Stamp Duty Refund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $3,000
Run By: NSW Government
Reimbursement of the stamp duty paid on purchases of new or used full battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

Local Government Road Safety Program
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Unspecified
Run By: Transport for NSW
Works in partnership with local councils to co-fund Safety Officer positions and contribute funding to projects targeting road safety issues at a local level.

Regional Filming Fund
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $100,000
Run By: Screen NSW
Offsets costs for film makers associated with shooting in regional areas of NSW.

Startup Travel Stipend
Closes: Ongoing
Value: Up to $2,000
Run By: NSW Government
Helps regional recipients of the Minimum Viable Product grant to travel for an innovation-related purpose.