Funding schemes

While the world of research funding can be challenging to navigate, the rewards can be high for eligible businesses so it’s worth the effort.

In addition to addressing a specific business need or creating a market-disrupting innovation, research projects can also provide directly relevant targeted skills training. Funding schemes can reduce the cost, making research even more attractive.

Explore the major funding schemes below, some of which have defined funding rounds with fixed dates each year. Many other schemes are also available, well beyond the list below.  

Contact us for advice, partnership, project scoping and/or access.

Opportunities for organisations across all sectors conducting eligible R&D

Research and Development Tax Incentive

The R&D Tax Incentive encourages Australian businesses to invest in R&D by providing a tax offset that well exceeds the company tax rate. The program is open to firms of all sizes in all sectors who are conducting eligible R&D. By partnering with UTS you may be able to significantly reduce your R&D bill through this tax offset program. The offset may also be possible in conjunction with other co-funding schemes such as those listed on this page.

UTS is a Registered Research Service Provider, recognised by Innovation Australia as having appropriate scientific or technical expertise to perform research and development on behalf of other companies. Advice can be found from a variety of professional service providers including AusIndustry and the Australian Taxation Office. 

UTS has proven success in developing R&D capability, working with businesses across the areas of health, defence and ICT industries.  

Find out more: R&D Tax Incentive or contact us to discuss. 

Cooperative Research Centres

Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) are incorporated entities for co-funding industry-led research in specific broad areas. Each CRC sets its own rules for projects, including percentage of funding and intellectual property. Fifty percent co-funding for end-user organisations is common.

UTS is a member of 11 CRCs, more than most universities across Australia. We have proven success in collaborative research and access to co-funding through these vehicles.

Find out more: CRC program or contact us to discuss. 

Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-Ps)

Not to be confused with CRCs, the Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) program is a separate co-funding scheme aimed at small to medium enterprises (SMEs). Matched funding is offered in the range $100,000 – $3 million for a project lasting up to 3 years. CRC-P applications are led by the SME with at least one university partner. UTS has proven success partnering with SMEs in the CRC-P program.

Find out more: CRC-P program or contact us to discuss. 

Australian Research Council funding

Among the suite of Australian Research Council (ARC) research funding are several programs aimed at collaborative research with industry. These fall under the broad ARC Linkage Program and include Linkage Projects, Industrial Transformation Hubs, Industry Fellowships and more. 

These projects are usually industry-informed and university-led.  Funding can be a relatively high proportion of the total project costs, although success rates are lower than other co-funding programs.

Find out more: ARC Linkage Program or contact us to discuss. 

National Health and Medical Research Council funding

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Development Grants fund Australian health and medical research at the proof-of-concept stage. The scheme specifically supports the commercial development of a product, process, procedure or service that could result in improved health care or disease prevention, or provide health cost savings. 

UTS has significant health research capabilities and we are always looking to develop research collaborations with the health and medical research community.  

Find out more: NHMRC Development Grants or contact us to discuss.

Australia's Economic Accelerator

Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) has two main programs: Ignite and Innovate. AEA Ignite is aimed at TRL 3-5 with funding up to $500,000 while AEA Innovate is aimed at TRL 5-7 with funding up to $5 million.

These programs can be a great way to access, evaluate and adapt university-owned IP for a heavily subsidised cost.

Find out more: Australia's Economic Accelerator or contact us to discuss. 

Rural Research & Development Corporations

Rural R&D Corporations (RDCs) are funded through a statutory levy on specific rural industry sectors to invest in R&D on behalf of that sector.  There are 15 RDCs.

While it may appear at first incongruous for a city-based university, UTS has successfully partnered with many of theseRDCs to leverage our expertise and facilities in advanced technologies to give a step-change in capability for our agricultural sector.

Find out more: Rural R&D Corporations or contact us to discuss. 

NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer

NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE) provides a range of co-funding programs for NSW-based businesses, covering both R&D and also commercialisation. UTS has experience across these programs and can facilitate access for collaborative projects with businesses.

Find out more: NSW OCSE or contact us to discuss. 

Start the conversation

If you’d like some general advice about how contract research works or would like to connect with an expert in your research area, please contact us to help you figure out the best approach.

Submit an online inquiry

email research.engagement@uts.edu.au

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.