New grant program to drive growth in the automotive sector
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, the Hon Karen Andrews MP, recently announced that applications are now open for the $7 million Automotive Innovation Lab Access Grants program. This program is designed to support local businesses undertaking automotive product development, and help them to expand into new markets.
Australian businesses can receive up to $200,000 in matched funding for eligible project costs through the Automotive Innovation Lab Access Grants program. Eligible project costs can include design, prototype and testing activities at established commercial and research facilities and Automotive Innovation Labs.
In addition, the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association will receive a $3 million grant over the next two years to build a new Automotive Innovation Lab facility in South Australia and enhance its existing facility in Victoria. The facilities will provide product development and testing facilities, as well as advanced manufacturing services such as 3D scanning and printing, measuring sessions, technology transfer, CAD and prototyping.
According to Minister Andrews, “The Coalition Government is committed to supporting an internationally competitive and globally integrated automotive sector in Australia.”
“The Automotive Innovation Lab Access Grants program will help businesses improve the time to market for new automotive products, enhance product offerings for local and global markets and expand high-value automotive manufacturing operations in Australia.”
This initiative follows the recent launch of the $5 million Automotive Engineering Graduate Program, aimed at providing a steady flow of qualified, job-ready engineers into the Australian automotive sector, as well as the Automotive Transformation Scheme.
THE SPECIFICS
AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION LAB ACCESS GRANTS
The Automotive Innovation Lab Access Grants provide businesses with funding of $50,000 to $200,000 to undertake activities that enhance the automotive product design and development process including design, prototype and testing activities undertaken at specialised facilities and service organisations.
You must meet specific eligibility criteria to apply, and your application must score highly against several merit criteria. You should read the grant opportunity guidelines before you apply.
Applications close on 13 December 2018 at 5:00 pm AEDT.
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING GRADUATE PROGRAM
The Automotive Engineering Graduate Program provides universities with grants of between $200,000 and $1 million. This funding can then be used for stipends and research support for post graduate students undertaking industry-based projects in priority areas for automotive engineering.
You must meet specific eligibility criteria to apply, and your application must score highly against several merit criteria. You should read the grant opportunity guidelines before you apply.
Applications close on 7 December 2018 at 5:00 pm AEDT.
AUTOMOTIVE TRANSFORMATION SCHEME
The Automotive Transformation Scheme provides businesses involved in the Australian automotive industry with cash payments to cover up to 15% of the cost of investing in plant and equipment, and 50% of the cost of investing in research and development. The aim of the Scheme is to encourage investment and innovation in the Australian automotive industry.
Applications close on 31 December 2018.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, you can call the Department of Innovation, Industry Science on 13 28 46 or visit: https://www.business.gov.au/search?q=automotive
