Australian Government Priming Grant helps Australia's SMEs reach global markets

Australian Government Priming Grant, designed to link international partners to Australian entrepreneurs to commercialise their projects.

Researchers in Adelaide, who have developed six new varieties of almonds designed to exceed international production volume benchmarks, will soon be able to test their products in international markets.

The University of Adelaide is just one of 38 researchers or small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) awarded an Australian Government Priming Grant, designed to link international partners to Australian entrepreneurs to commercialise their projects.  

The Australian Government’s Priming Grants, offered under the Global Connections Fund of the National Innovation and Science Agenda, will see projects tap into international markets, such as the University of Adelaide trialling their almonds in nurseries overseas.

Of the 38 recipients in round three of the Priming Grants Program, 23 grants will connect Australian researchers with overseas businesses and 15 grants will link Australian businesses with international-based researchers to forge partnerships. 

Since 2016–17, the Australian Government has provided 152 Priming Grants worth nearly $1 million, and with the launch of Innovation Stories: Priming Grants 2016 today, researchers and SMEs can see what others have achieved with that financial support.

Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash said Priming Grants showed how fostering industry-led innovation creates commercial benefits and inspires job growth.

“Priming Grants are designed to empower researchers and businesses to work with overseas experts to commercialise their projects,” Minister Cash said.

“This means more opportunities for Australians to grow their ideas by opening doors to foreign markets, which contributes positively to Australia’s economy and our job market. 

“Under round one of the program, the 73 recipients who each received $7000 grants went on to raise capital exceeding $2.3 million, leveraging every Government dollar more than fourfold.”

The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) works with the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science to deliver the Global Connections Fund.