CSIRO Kick-StartCSIRO Kick-Start
Sector AgnosticPre-seedSeed

CSIRO Kick-Start

Matched funding of $20K-$60K to help Australian startups and SMEs advance R&D with CSIRO experts.

Organizer: CSIRO
Category: Funding
Country: Australia
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For Australian start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), advancing research and development (R&D) projects can be challenging without access to specialist expertise and funding. CSIRO Kick-Start addresses these challenges by connecting eligible businesses with researchers from Australia's national science agency and providing AUD $20,000 to $60,000 in dollar-matched funding. The program supports businesses in investigating technical challenges, validating ideas, developing prototypes, and progressing innovations towards commercialisation.

Program Overview

  • Program name: CSIRO Kick-Start
  • Organizer: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
  • Offer: Access to CSIRO research expertise and matched funding for eligible Australian start-ups and SMEs undertaking R&D activities
  • Funding: AUD $20,000 to $60,000 in dollar-matched funding
  • Purpose: Support research into commercially promising ideas, the development of new or improved products and processes, and the testing of innovative technologies
  • Program structure: Collaborative R&D projects undertaken with CSIRO researchers, with eligible businesses contributing matching funds
  • Application process: Businesses undergo an eligibility assessment, submit an expression of interest and work with CSIRO to define a suitable research project

Benefits

  • Access to research expertise: Collaborate with CSIRO scientists, engineers and technical specialists to address research and development challenges.
  • Matched R&D funding: Reduce the financial burden of eligible research activities through dollar-matched funding of AUD $20,000 to $60,000.
  • Prototype development and testing: Develop, refine and test prototypes, products, materials or processes.
  • Technical validation: Undertake feasibility studies, proof-of-concept testing, technical evaluations and laboratory investigations.
  • Research collaboration: Establish working relationships with CSIRO research teams and access capabilities that may not be available internally.

Key Statistics

  • Funding range: AUD $20,000–$60,000 in matched funding
  • Funding model: Dollar-matched, requiring a corresponding cash contribution from the participating business
  • Maximum project duration: 12 months
  • Application period: Year-round, with no fixed application deadline
  • Businesses supported: 325 Australian businesses, as reported by CSIRO

How It Works

  • Step 1 — Check eligibility: Review the program's eligibility requirements, including business registration, turnover or trading history, and the ability to provide matching funds. Applicants should also identify a suitable R&D challenge or innovation opportunity.
  • Step 2 — Submit an expression of interest (EOI): The submission should outline the proposed research challenge or idea. The Kick-Start team reviews the EOI and assists eligible businesses in exploring a suitable project.
  • Step 3 — Collaborate with CSIRO researchers: Work with an appropriate CSIRO research team to define the project scope, establish research activities and undertake the agreed work. Matched funding supports eligible activities such as feasibility assessments, prototype testing, data modelling, laboratory investigations and technical validation.

Who It's For

CSIRO Kick-Start is designed for Australian start-ups and SMEs seeking specialist research assistance to explore, validate or develop innovative products, technologies and processes.

To qualify, businesses must meet the following requirements:

  • Business size or trading history: Have both annual turnover and operating expenditure below AUD $10 million, or have been trading for less than three years.
  • Business registration: Hold an Australian Company Number (ACN) or Indigenous Corporation Number (ICN).
  • Tax registration: Be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
  • Financial contribution: Be able to provide the required cash contribution to match the program funding.
  • Research focus: Have an R&D idea or technical challenge suitable for collaboration with CSIRO researchers.

Eligible projects may include feasibility and scoping studies, prototype development, proof-of-concept validation, data analytics, laboratory testing and improvements to products or processes.

Kick-Start Case Studies

  • Industry diversity: CSIRO highlights projects undertaken with Australian SMEs across sectors including manufacturing, agrifood and emerging technologies.
  • Research applications: Case studies illustrate how participating businesses have worked with CSIRO researchers to address technical challenges, investigate innovative concepts and develop new products or processes.
  • Practical insights: These examples demonstrate the range of early-stage R&D activities supported through the program and the role of research collaboration in advancing commercial innovation.

CSIRO Kick-Start provides eligible Australian start-ups and SMEs with a structured pathway to undertake research and development activities with specialist scientific support. Through matched funding and access to CSIRO's research capabilities, the program helps businesses investigate technical challenges, validate concepts and advance products or processes towards commercial applications. Applications are accepted throughout the year, allowing eligible businesses to approach the program when they have a suitable R&D opportunity.