Infrastructure Build Out Program in Australia

Deadline: 15-Feb-23

The NSW Government is now accepting applications for its Infrastructure Build Out Program.

Objectives

• The objective of the Build Out program is to increase both the scale and excellence of research and innovation in NSW by supporting openly accessible research and innovation infrastructure in NSW.
  • Applicants will be applying to deliver initiatives that build and support new, shared research and innovation infrastructure including pilot or scale-up facilities or builds on and supports existing shared research and innovation infrastructure in NSW. Infrastructure must be open access to both public and private technology developers and researchers and support collaborative R&D and innovation.
  • For the purposes of Build Out, research and innovation infrastructure refer to facilities, equipment and resources that are needed to perform research, including experts needed to run the infrastructure. This is in line with the Commonwealth Department of Education’s definition for National Research Infrastructure.
  • Build Out supports critical research and innovation infrastructure proposals that align to the industry, technology and innovation needs of the state (see Table 1). Proposals must align with:
    • one of the technology themes identified in the NSW 20-Year R&D Roadmap, and
    • one of the priority industries, or
    • one of the technologies, or
    • one of the focus precincts

Streams

• Build Out has two funding streams:
  • The Quantum Technologies Funding Stream providing $10 million to support shared facilities, equipment and technical expertise and initiatives that would underpin quantum technologies, as part of the NSW Government’s Quantum Technologies Action Plan being developed under the 20-Year R&D Roadmap.
  • The General Funding Stream providing $21 million to support shared facilities, equipment and technical expertise and initiatives which align to the themes identified in the 20-Year R&D Roadmap and which support or enable one of the priority industries, technologies or focus precincts listed in the NSW Industry Development Framework.

Themes

• 20-Year R&D Roadmap
  • Software
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Data analytics
  • Quantum computing and devices
  • Blockchain
  • Robotics
  • Communications, Sensing, Internet of Things
  • Semiconductors
  • Biochemical technologies
  • Cell technologies
  • Genetic and molecular technologies
  • Nanotechnology
  • Smart materials
  • Circular economy
  • Nuclear science
  • Renewable energy generation
  • Energy storage
  • Power to X

NSW Industry Development Framework

• Priority industries 
  • Agriculture and agrifood
  • Resources
  • Defence and aerospace
  • Clean energy and waste
  • Medical and life sciences
  • Digital systems and software
  • International education
  • Visitor economy
• Core enabling technologies
  • Digital technology
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Biotechnology
• Focus precincts 
  • Aerotropolis
  • Westmead
  • Tech Central
  • Renewable Energy Zones
  • Hydrogen Hubs
  • Special Activation Precincts
  • Regional Job Precincts

Funding Information

• Grants provided for projects would be:
  • a minimum of $500,000
  • a maximum of $10,000,000
  • paid over a maximum of 48 months or until 30 June 2027.

Outcomes

• Shared facilities, equipment, resources, expertise and supporting investment and activities should contribute to the outcomes:
  • Outcome 1 – Increase the availability and use of open-access research and innovation infrastructure (e.g., facilities, equipment, resources and expertise).
  • Outcome 2 – Increase collaborative R&D and innovation within the NSW innovation community (academia, industry, government, non-government organisations and students).
  • Outcome 3 – a) Increase R&D output, translation and other commercial outcomes and/or b) contribute to a robust talent pipeline of technical skills and career pathways.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for the Infrastructure Build Out Program support, applicants must be:
  • a university or publicly funded research organisation (PFRO), or their collaborative entities, or
  • an openly accessible research facility that has NOT been supported by National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy funding, or
  • a private entity that operates openly accessible research and innovation infrastructure, or
  • a consortium-based application, that includes industry organisations or firms, universities and PFROs, public sector organisations or other organisations. Consortia can include a NSW-based NCRIS facility if the expenditure is not designated to a NSW-based NCRIS facility.
  • be located in NSW or be planning a major research/innovation presence located in NSW. Applicants must be based in NSW before entering into a Deed of Agreement with DEIT.
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Ineligible applicants include:
  • consortia or partnerships with businesses that are insolvent.

For more information, visit NSW Government.