January 25th, 2023New CSIRO program makes R&D more accessible for SMEs in mining sector

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is making commercial innovation more accessible for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the mining and mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sectors by offering a free online course for research and development (R&D) expertise and support.

Eligible SMEs that are in the early stages of engaging in R&D or pursuing a new idea in the mining/METS space can apply to Innovate to Grow.

It is a 10-week online program where experienced researchers and innovation experts guide participants as they examine their technical or business challenges, explore R&D opportunities, and develop actionable business and funding plans.

Upon completion of the program, participants may be able to access facilitation support, through CSIRO, to connect to research expertise nationally, and may be eligible for dollar-matched R&D funding.

Monika Szabo, SME Collaboration Manager for CSIRO, said the Innovate to Grow program was designed to help small-medium businesses understand how to engage in R&D by showing them pathways to access funding, mentoring, and a highly connected network through research organisations and their own sector.

“The Innovate to Grow program is aimed at Australian companies with less than 200 employees, and currently is offered at no cost to participants,” Dr Szabo said.

“In doing so we hope to remove some of the barriers that smaller enterprises face when they have an idea they would like to pursue.