CSIRO Innovation Fund

This programme aims to invest in start-up and spin off companies, and SMEs engaged in the translation of research generated in the publicly funded research sector. It forms part of the Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda.

The Fund is intended to help improve the translation of publicly funded research into commercial outcomes and stimulate innovation in Australia. This will help successful business to grow – boosting Australia’s productivity and exports, and generating jobs through increased commercialisation of research outcomes, particularly in priority sectors of the Australian economy.

Founding investors, the Australian Government and CSIRO, committed an initial $100 million which was subsequently expanded with a further $140 million from the private sector.

Eligible applicants include:
- Australian universities
- Australian publicly funded research agencies
- SMEs

For the purpose of this program, An Australian publicly funded research agency is an organisation that is owned or controlled by the Commonwealth, or an Australian State or Territory government, and primarily carrying out research and development activities; and it is:
- Providing services, or making facilities available, in relation to science or technology.
- Training, or assisting in the training of, persons in the field of scientific or technological research.
- Collecting, interpreting or publishing information relating to science or technology.

As well as CSIRO, Australian publicly funded research agencies include Australian Antarctic Division, Australian Astronomical Observatory, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Bureau of Meteorology, Defence Science and Technology Group, Geoscience Australia, National Measurement Institute.