Innovate to Grow: Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence

May 6th, 2025

Program detail

The program will assist you in:

  • Refining your innovation idea and learning how to transform it into an R&D opportunity
  • Accessing tools and information for a comprehensive understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step
  • Applying this knowledge to advance your technology or R&D concept
  • Gaining industry insights from experts, researchers and your mentor
  • Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network.

Program Alumni

“The concepts and structure are well-suited for many SMEs, and I would recommend the program to colleagues within the target audience. Moving forward, I am actively pursuing my R&D plan within my business. Additionally, I am collaborating with my mentor on a new R&D project opportunity that was announced during the program.”

–  Luis Elneser, Lurra Systems

Course outline

The program is made up of virtual webinars and online learning as follows:

Preparing for the program (one week before workshop, approximately 3-4 hours)

  • Participants will be provided with an onboarding session and pre-workshop videos and reading materials to assist in preparing for the program.
  • Time commitment is approximately three to four hours.

Week 1: Workshop (start date 26 June 2025, approximately 4 hours)

  • The program’s main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
  • Time commitment is approximately 4 hours.

Week 2-8: Self-paced innovation program

  • Participants will work through the online innovation program at their own pace, supported by a mentor and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research idea and business case.
  • Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
  • Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program benefits

  • Personalised support to refine your idea: We’ll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
  • Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.
  • Mentor: You will be provided with a mentor from CSIRO or a university to answer your questions about working on R&D projects and to help find an expert in the sector to introduce you to.
  • Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Who can apply

This program is open to any SMEs based and operating in Australia who are working on digital technologies or artificial intelligence in any of these sub-sectors:

  • Artificial Intelligence, including:
    • Computer vision
    • Machine learning
    • ChatGPT / large language models
    • Natural language processing
  • Digital manufacturing
  • Quantum computing
  • Cybersecurity
  • Robotics and autonomous systems
  • Other

Selection criteria (essential):

  • A business based and operating in Australia that is registered with an ABN and ACN/ICN
  • A business classified as small to medium or startup (less than 200 employees)
  • A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have a digital technology or artificial intelligence idea to work on throughout the course

Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible). Researchers working at universities can apply as a mentor but not as a participant.

Other considerations:

  • A strong alignment to the program objectives
  • A clear desire to investigate doing a R&D project

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit our FAQ’s.

Find out more: https://www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/funding-programs/SME/Innovate-to-Grow/Digitech-and-AI