Thursday, May 4, 2017

Announcement of Australian Bridging Grants

The Australian Government has announced this week grant funding to help Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and researchers work with international partners to develop innovative products and services. The Bridging Grants (BG) of the Global Connections Fund (GCF) opened eligibility testing on the 2nd May and will close on the 16thMay 2017. Once BG application has been approved a full BG application must be prepared and received by the 23rd May 2017. Applicants will be notified of the final outcomes by the end of July 2017.
 
The $4.9 million Global Connections Fund is part of the Global Innovation Strategy of the Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda, and supports global SME-to-researcher collaborations. Bridging grants of up to $50,000 are designed as seed funding capital to enable viable projects to grow in scope and scale, and to test commercialisation and proof-of-concept activities.
 
The GCF is comprised of two types of grants: Bridging Grants and Priming Grants. In 2016 the Government awarded more than $660,000 in grants under the two components. Under round one of the Bridging Grants awardees for 2016, 14 Australian SMEs and researchers received assistance to develop products and services for Australian and international markets.
 
The priming grants of $7,000 enable Australian SMEs and researchers to meet and collaborate with international partners in 17 priority economies to progress their ideas. A total of 74 Australian SMEs and Researchers received assistance to develop products and services for Australian and international markets.
 
More information is available at http://www.globalconnectionsfund.org.au/
 
I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the GCF. Please reach out and we can set up a time to chat in person in DC or over the phone.
 
Kind regards,
 
Anthony Murfett
Minister Counsellor (Industry, Science and Education)
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Australian Embassy, Washington DC
1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington DC 20036-2273
Twitter: @SciAuEmbUS
 
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