There are currently no rounds open for application.
About the program
The Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) is a challenge-based innovation program. It provides funding for startups and SMEs to undertake research and development (R&D) on new-to-market technologies.
The program:
- builds the innovative capacity of startups, SMEs and government agencies
- improves capability to access national and international markets
- helps SMEs be more confident and aware when working with government
- increases government agencies’ sourcing of innovative solutions.
How the program works
BRII works in 3 phases:
- Challenge identification. Australian Government agencies identify and nominate public policy or service delivery challenges requiring solutions.
- Feasibility grants. Startups and SMEs apply with their proposed solution to the challenges. We award feasibility grants of up to $100,000 for the best solutions to each challenge. These help the grantees test the technical and commercial feasibility of their solution over 3 months.
- Proof of concept grants. We invite grantees that successfully demonstrate feasibility to apply for a proof-of-concept grant. This is up to $1 million to produce a prototype of the solution.
Each round seeks solutions to different public policy or service delivery challenges. Australian Government agencies support the program to develop new-to-market technologies that they can negotiate to buy.
How we administer the program
Industry Innovation and Science Australia's Innovation Investment Committee oversees the BRII program. The committee assesses:
- Australian Government agency challenge nominations
- startup and SME grant applications.