Australia's National Science Agency India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator RISE Accelerator Program Guidelines (Australia): Round 3, Renewable Energy Guidelines for Australian applicants only Opening Date: Monday 26.05.2025 Closing Date and time: Monday 30.06.2025 11:30pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) Administering entity Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Enquiries: If you have any questions, contact us at RISEaccelerator@csiro.au Date guidelines released: Round 3, Version 1.0: 12.05.2025 Type of Grant opportunity: Targeted competitive Contents Contents 1 1 The RISE Accelerator: Round 3 process 3 2 Introduction 4 3 About the RISE Accelerator program 4 3.1 Delivery of the RISE Accelerator program 5 3.2 Program period 7 4 Program eligibility criteria 7 4.1 Who is eligible to apply for the Program? 7 4.2 Who is not eligible to apply for the Program? 8 5 About the RISE Accelerator Grant 8 5.1 Grant available 8 5.2 Grant period 9 5.3 Who will be paid the Discovery Phase Grant? 9 5.4 Who will be paid the Pilot Phase Grant? 9 5.5 How we pay the Grant 10 5.6 Grant payments and GST 10 5.7 What the Discovery Phase Grant money can be used for 10 5.8 What the Pilot Phase Grant money can be used for 11 5.9 What the Grant money cannot be used for 12 6 Travel 12 6.1 Reasonable Travel Costs 12 7 How to apply to the Program 13 7.1 Application Process 13 7.2 Timing of Program application and assessment processes 14 7.3 Questions during the application process 14 8 The Program assessment 15 8.1 Weighted Assessment Criteria 15 8.2 Merit assessment and evaluation 16 8.3 Who will approve successful program applicants and Grants? 17 8.4 Announcement of successful program applicants and Grants 17 8.5 Notification of application outcomes 18 8.6 Pilot Phase Selection Process 18 9 Further grant opportunities 18 10 Successful applications 19 10.1 Participation Agreement 19 10.2 Communications 19 11 Documentation, Reporting and Evaluation 20 11.1 Baseline survey 20 11.2 Market Entry Strategy & Pilot Phase Plan 20 11.3 Final Program Discovery Phase, and Pilot Phase Reports 21 11.4 Post-program reporting 21 11.5 Ad-hoc reports and communications 21 12 Other things you should know 22 12.1 Guideline updates 22 12.2 Enquiries and feedback 22 12.3 Conflicts of interest 22 12.4 Privacy 22 12.5 Confidential Information 23 12.6 Freedom of information 23 12.7 National security 24 13 Glossary 25 1 The RISE Accelerator: Round 3 process The RISE Accelerator is designed to achieve Australian Government objectives The RISE Accelerator program ("Program") contributes to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's (CSIRO) objective to support innovation and technology directed to our national challenges; and to the Australian Government's efforts to build and deepen Australia's and India's economic linkages in support of both countries' prosperity. The Program opportunity opens and you are invited to apply We publish the Guidelines online on the CSIRO RISE Accelerator website and organisations that meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply. You complete and submit the online application form You complete the application form addressing all eligibility and assessment criteria for your application to be considered. We assess all eligible applications We assess all eligible applications against the assessment criteria and compare it to other eligible applications. We may request further information from you, and or we may request an interview to determine your suitability, and rank your application against other applications. Application decisions are made We provide advice to the Program Delegate on the merits of each application. The Program Delegate decides which applications are successful. We notify you of the outcome We advise you of the outcome of your application. We may not notify unsuccessful applicants until all Participation Agreements have been executed with successful applicants. We enter into an agreement We will enter into a Participation Agreement with successful applicants. Delivery of Program, and Grant You undertake the Program Activities as set out in your Participation Agreement. We manage the Program Activities, and your Grant by working with you, monitoring your progress and making payments. The Program Activities and Grant are delivered in two phases, the Discovery Phase, and the Pilot Phase. Your acceptance into and eligibility for the Discovery Phase and Discovery Phase Grant does not guarantee that you will proceed to the Pilot Phase nor be eligible for the Pilot Phase Grant. Evaluation of the Program We evaluate the impact of the Program including Grant activity as a whole. We base this information on information you provide to us and that we collect from various sources. 2 Introduction These guidelines ("Guidelines") contain information for Australian applicants regarding Round 3 of the India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion 'RISE' Accelerator program ("Program") including Grant ("Grant"). Subsequent Rounds of the Program will be detailed in guidelines specific to each Round. You are advised to read these Guidelines and sample Participation Agreement before submitting an application. This document sets out: * the purpose of the Program * the application process * eligibility and assessment criteria * how applications are assessed * how applicants are notified * Program Activities and Grant * responsibilities and expectations in relation to the Program and Grant. These Guidelines may be changed from time-to-time. The updated version will be published on the CSIRO RISE Accelerator website. The version available when successfully selected startups and SMEs ("Participant Organisations") enter into a binding agreement ("Participation Agreement"), will apply to that Participant Organisation. We have defined key terms used in these Guidelines in the glossary in Section 13. 3 About the RISE Accelerator program Announced as part of the Australian Government's updated India Economic Strategy to 2035 (2022), the India Australia RISE Accelerator is one of CSIRO's commitments to draw on complementary capabilities and resources to solve shared national challenges with India. The Program: * fast-tracks cutting edge research and technology impact, by supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who have mature and innovative technology and are considering overseas expansion between India and Australia * supports startups and SMEs achieve sustainable environmental, economic, and social impact in areas of shared national challenges and priorities * drives increased bilateral economic activity and better integrating the science and technology startup and SME ecosystem between the two countries. With a focus on meaningful social and environmental impact, the Program encourages innovation to address challenges and adaptation in a changing world. Specific environmental and climate challenge/s will be publicised online on the CSIRO RISE Accelerator website and in these Guidelines (section 4). The Program will seek competitive applications from startups and SMEs with solutions that address this challenge/s, and who must meet all nominated eligibility criteria. The objectives of the Program are: * greater levels of collaboration between India and Australia and increased bilateral economic activity and investment levels in startups and SMEs across the two countries * fast-tracked new market explorations for Australian startups and SMEs * amplify the chances of sustainable, cross-border commercial success. This will be demonstrated through eligible startups and SMEs being able to access increased cross-border and export opportunities. The intended outcomes of the Program are: * improved capability for Australian startups and SMEs to trade in the Indian market * effective cross-border business, research, and commercialisation networks * improved business and commercialisation performance. The Program is delivered through a collaboration between: * CSIRO - Australia's national science agency * Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog - the Government of India's flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. 3.1 Delivery of the RISE Accelerator program The RISE Accelerator consists of a nine-month program of cross-border capacity building activities (a "Round"). In Round 3, approximately 20 competitively selected Australian startups and SMEs - the Participant Organisations - participate in the Discovery Phase of the Program, exploring and planning to take their technologies to the Indian market. At the conclusion of the Discovery Phase, Participant Organisations may be selected to continue in the Program, entering the Pilot Phase. Only those Participant Organisations with a strong pilot project or tangible commercial opportunity in India will be considered for the Pilot Phase of the Program. In order to participate in the Program, successfully selected Australian applicants will be asked to enter into a Participation Agreement with CSIRO and will not be eligible to receive grant or other funding from AIM for this Program. * Participant Organisations will receive a Discovery Phase grant of up to $35,000 to support their participation in the Program and mandatory travel. The Grant is subject to satisfactory participation in, and completion of, Program Activities, timely and satisfactory submission of deliverables, and meeting performance milestones and participation requirements. * Participant Organisations may be invited to advance to the Pilot Phase of the Program, and will be eligible to receive a Pilot Phase grant of up to $100,000 to support their participation in the Program and mandatory travel. The Grant is subject to satisfactory participation in, and completion of, Program Activities, timely and satisfactory submission of deliverables, and meeting performance milestones and participation requirements (see Section 5.3). Date Stage 26.05.25 - 30.06.25 Applications Open 16.06.25 - 14.07.25 Assessment & Selection 14.07.25 - 20.07.25 Notification of outcome and entering Participation Agreement 21.07.25 - 10.08.25 Onboarding 11.07.25 - 21.11.25 Discovery Phase 24.11.25 - 30.11.25 Selection & Transition to Pilot Phase (invited Participant Organisations only) 01.12.25 - 30.04.06 Pilot Phase Table 1: Proposed schedule of Program delivery, Round 3 Participant Organisations will appoint at least two Nominated Participant/s such as co-founders, owners, or executives who will participate in the Program. The Program consists of (the "Program Activities"): * facilitated curriculum sessions during the Discovery Phase incorporating a range of learning modules to support overseas expansion activities including cross-border trade and operations navigation, technology validation and adaptation, connections and networks, and credibility building * guest speakers, including experienced entrepreneurs and investors, industry representatives and other trade related experts * support to plan market entry and potential pilot activities in the target market * regular access to dedicated coaches and subject matter mentors, from both Australia and India * travel and in-person experiences. At least one Nominated Participant/s must attend in-person activities in the Discovery Phase, scheduled to take place once in the home country (Australia) and once in target country (India); and for those Participant Organisations who are invited to the Pilot Phase, once in the target country (India). As outlined in section 6, the Discovery Phase grant may be used to support reasonable costs of accommodation and transport of one Nominated Participant for the mandatory Discovery Phase travel, and the Pilot Grant for Pilot Phase mandatory travel. * introductions and support brokering relationships with potential Pilot Phase collaborators including global corporations, research institutes, local industry and similar * introductions to investors and the broader investment community * in person/virtual showcasing and networking opportunities * support to commission and or complete cross-border target market research; target market research & development (Discovery Phase); legal, regulatory and or compliance advisory services; thorough market entry analysis; pilot, production or value chain planning. * for Participant Organisations selected to proceed to the Pilot Phase, support to execute Pilot Phase activities in the target market, e.g. demonstration pilot with an industry partner * RISE Accelerator grant (the "Grant") is subject to satisfactory participation in, and completion of, Program Activities; and submission of satisfactory deliverables by the due dates. 3.2 Program period Applications for Round 3 are open from 26 May 2025 to 30 June 2025. Round 3 of the Program for successfully selected Participant Organisations will run from 11 August 2025 to 30 April 2026 or as advised by the Program Delegate. Following this period, an evaluation period of 36 months will commence. Participant Organisations must complete all Program Activities by 30 April 2026. 4 Program eligibility criteria 4.1 Who is eligible to apply for the Program? We cannot consider your Program application if you do not satisfy all the eligibility criteria. To be considered, you must meet all the following: * a company incorporated in Australia with ABN and ACN or an incorporated trustee applying on behalf of a trust * be headquartered or domiciled in Australia * registered for GST * has not had revenue of more than $20 million in any of the last 3 financial years * have a technology or solution at TRL 7 or higher. We may consider solutions at TRL 5-6 that have a clear potential to rapidly advance through expansion into India * have or be actively developing a technology or solution that aligns with the RISE Accelerator Round 3 Challenge Statement below: If you require more information before commencing your first stage of the application process, the application form, please contact the RISE Accelerator team (RISEaccelerator@csiro.au). 4.2 Who is not eligible to apply for the Program? You are not eligible to apply if you are: * an individual * a partnership * an unincorporated association * a trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust) * a Commonwealth, state, territory or local government agency or body (including government business enterprises) * a non-corporate Commonwealth entity * an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012) * an organisation included on the National Redress Scheme's website list of 'Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme' * any organisation that does not satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in section 4.1. 5 About the RISE Accelerator Grant Sections 3-4 above outlines details of the Program, this section details the Grant awarded as part of the Program. The Grant seeks to support Participant Organisations as they build internal capacity, knowledge, and confidence in approaching a new market; develop connections and engage with the ecosystem (industry, funding, suppliers, distributors, regulators and academia); and for those who are selected to enter the Pilot Phase of the Program, to then support costs of undertaking pilot activities in the new market. 5.1 Grant available The Grant for each Australian Participant Organisation selected to participate in the Discovery Phase is up to $35,000, paid in one tranche at the conclusion of the Discovery Phase, and in accordance with the Participation Agreement schedule. Additionally, up to $100,000 Pilot Phase grant may be available for each successfully selected Australian Participant Organisation invited to participate in the Pilot Phase, paid in two tranches of $50,000 each - one six weeks following commencement of the Pilot Phase, and one at the conclusion of the Pilot Phase; and in accordance with the Participation Agreement schedule. Payment of the Grant is subject to: * satisfactory participation in, and completion of, Program Activities * timely and satisfactory submission of deliverables, and * meeting performance milestones and participation requirements. Participant Organisations are responsible for any remaining costs associated with their participation in the Program Activities. The grant is intended to be utilised in part to support the costs of reasonable travel associated with scheduled in-person Program Activities, outlined in section 6. 5.2 Grant period The maximum Grant period is 9 months, aligned with the Program Round period from 11 August 2025 to 30 April 2026, or as advised by the Program Delegate. 5.3 Who will be paid the Discovery Phase Grant? The Grant is paid subject to a Participant Organisation satisfying each of the following (the "Milestones"): * You (the Nominated Participant/s) collectively, actively participate in no less than 90% of all Program Activities overall however, attendance at 100% of the in-person Immersion activities is required. Any absence must be requested and approved prior to travel by the Program Delegate. * Satisfactory submission of deliverables (see section 11, Documentation, Reporting and Evaluation): " Market Entry Strategy & Pilot Phase Plan " Discovery Phase Final Report. Grant payments are linked to Participating Organisations meeting all the above Milestones, and the timely, satisfactory submission of the Market Entry Strategy and Pilot Phase Plan, and Discovery Phase Final Report - determined to be satisfactory by the Program Delegate. To be satisfactory, deliverables submitted must in CSIRO's reasonable opinion meet the requirements specified in the Participation Agreement and will include clear timelines, resources and outcomes, and in the case of the Market Entry Strategy and Pilot Phase Plan will at a minimum: * reflect the core technology for which the company entered into the Program, and a related value proposition within the Market Entry Strategy * nominate pilot partner(s) * outline activities that would reasonably be expected to contribute to the furthering of your technology's market entry * outline the outcomes to be achieved, and a budget that demonstrates incurred and or forecast expenditure of at least the equal amount of Grant. 5.4 Who will be paid the Pilot Phase Grant? The Grant is paid subject to a Participant Organisation successfully being selected to participate in the Pilot Phase satisfying each of the following (the "Milestones"): * You (the Nominated Participant/s) collectively, actively participate in no less than 90% of all Program Activities overall however, attendance at 100% of the in-person Immersion activities is required. Any absence must be requested and approved prior to travel by the Program Delegate. * You demonstrate activities and efforts towards achieving all anticipated outcomes as outlined in your Pilot Plan * Satisfactory submission of deliverables (see section 11, Documentation, Reporting and Evaluation): " Pilot Phase Final Report. Grant payments are linked to Participating Organisations meeting all of the above Milestones, and the timely, satisfactory submission the Pilot Phase Final Report - determined to be satisfactory by the Program Delegate. To be satisfactory, deliverables submitted must in CSIRO's reasonable opinion meet the requirements specified in the Participation Agreement and will include clear timelines, resources and outcomes. 5.5 How we pay the Grant The Participation Agreement will state how we pay the Grant and: * maximum Grant amount we will pay * anticipated schedule of payment/s * any program contributions you will make. We will not exceed the maximum Grant amount under any circumstances. If you incur extra costs, you must meet them yourself. You must be able to fund the total cost of the Pilot Phase activities before being reimbursed, without using in-kind contributions. Payments will be made according to an agreed schedule set out in the Participation Agreement and these may be reliant upon provision of an agreed tax invoice. Payments will only be made subject to achievement of milestones and submission of tax invoice (see Section 5.6). 5.6 Grant payments and GST Participant Organisations must supply Australian bank account details, which will be verified by CSIRO, and ensure the business's Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration status is provided. If you are registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST), where applicable GST will be added to your Grant payment/s. Grants are assessable income for taxation purposes, unless exempted by a taxation law. We recommend you seek independent professional advice on your taxation obligations or seek assistance from the Australian Taxation Office, https://www.ato.gov.au. We do not provide advice on your particular taxation circumstances. You may need to provide evidence such as written quotations or invoices for major costs. 5.7 What the Discovery Phase Grant money can be used for The Grant is intended to support expenditure that directly relates to your participation in the Program Activities, and your India Australia cross-border activities. The Grant is to support costs directly incurred by you, and only after the Commencement Date. Eligible expenditure associated with Discovery Phase Program Activities include (non-exhaustive): * reasonable cost of accommodation and transportation for additional Nominated Participants to attend the mandatory in-person Program Activities, economy airfares or equivalent only are supported, see Section 6. * reasonable cost of accommodation and transportation including international travel, required to conduct target market activities and the Pilot Phase business development and or preparation activities; and or to enable collaboration amongst staff, contractors or subcontractors where that travel is material to the planning and potential conduct of the Pilot Phase project in India, economy airfares or equivalent only are supported * up to max of 30% of the Discovery Phase grant may support total accommodation and transportation costs. * contract expenditure to engage external professionals, such as to size and analyse the target market opportunity; assist in negotiations, or advise on engagements with potential partners, to determine legal, regulatory or compliance requirements * IP strategy and protection * costs to establish licensing, distribution or manufacturing agreements * salesperson or business development manager costs where that role and costs are material to the securing a pilot or achieving first sales in India * costs to complete testing and validation studies of the technology or solution for new market conditions, and which may include leasing or hire of plant and equipment * costs proving commercial viability of solution in the new market for a customer, investor or strategic partner * costs to obtain planning, environmental or other regulatory approvals that is material to the conduct of a pilot or achieving first sales in India. However any associated fees paid to the Commonwealth, state, territory and local governments in Australia and India are not eligible 5.8 What the Pilot Phase Grant money can be used for You will be required to submit, at the conclusion of the Discovery Phase, a Pilot Phase budget. The Program Delegate makes the final decision as to whether the Pilot Phase Plan budget sufficiently and satisfactorily demonstrates relevant costs for Pilot Phase activities. We may ask you to verify your Pilot Phase budget submitted, as well as, at the end of the Pilot Phase, costs incurred against budget submitted in the Final Pilot Phase Program Report. The Pilot Phase Plan budget is to be submitted in the template provided and must demonstrate incurred and or forecast expenditure of at least an amount equal to the Grant. Costs associated with Pilot Phase Program Activities costs as outlined above in the Discovery Phase plus may also include (non-exhaustive): * up to a max of 30% of the Pilot Phase grant may support direct labour costs of employees directly contributing to your Pilot Phase activities, including on-costs such as employer paid superannuation, payroll tax and works compensation insurance * prototype expenditure where the construction and use of the prototype contributes directly to proving the commercial viability and suitability of the technology/solution to a new customer, investor or other partner in the new market * cost of establishing and operationalising production or similar runs, for commercial sales or to demonstrate commercial viability * demonstration activities for validation, establishing efficacy and evidence of the stability or reproducibility of processes, and production of product or delivery of service necessary to achieve first sales * establishment of distribution or supply chains necessary to complete commercial sales or transactions in the target market * quality control activities necessary for the commercialisation of the technology/solution in India * preparation of an audit certificate that is material to the conduct of the Pilot Phase project or achieving first sales in India * up to a max of 30% of the Pilot Phase grant may support reasonable cost of accommodation and transportation including for the mandatory in-person travel as part of formal Program Activities for the Pilot Phase, see Section 6. 5.9 What the Grant money cannot be used for The Grant cannot be used to support the costs of any activity that would be reasonably anticipated to bring the Program into disrepute. The Grant cannot be used to support any costs that do not directly support your cross-border activities. Costs must be in relation to the cross-border activities of the technology / solution that you put forward in your application and the basis of your successful approval into the Program. Costs must not be in relation to cross-border activities of a technology/solution that is different to which you applied for. The Grant must not be used to support cross-border activities of any variations or evolutions of that technology that would be reasonably anticipated to bring the Program into disrepute. The Grant must not be used to obtain any financial assistance for the same activities from another source including any scheme administered by the Commonwealth or a State or Territory, or an authority of the Commonwealth or State or Territory. The Grant must not be used to make any donations, sponsorships, or gifts, or payments, costs or associated fees paid to the Commonwealth, state, territory and local governments or their officials, in Australia and India. The Program Delegate makes the final decision as to whether the Pilot Phase activities and budget sufficiently and satisfactorily demonstrates costs directly related to your participation in the Program Activities, your cross-border and Pilot Phase activities. 6 Travel 6.1 Reasonable Travel Costs Participant Organisations may use the grant to support reasonable costs of flights and accommodation, to support at least one Nominated Participant to attend mandatory in-person activities. Up to a maximum of 30% of the Discovery Phase grant, and 30% of the Pilot Phase grant, may be used for travel costs. Any air transportation for which the grant is used, is limited to an economy class fare for each sector travelled; where non-economy class air transport is used only the equivalent of an economy fare for that sector is eligible expenditure. Where non-economy class air transport is used, the Participant Organisation must provide evidence showing what an economy airfare cost at the time of travel. Nominated Participants travelling to in-person experiences who anticipate eligible expenses to be above 'reasonable costs' must outline costs and reason for higher travel costs via email to RISEaccelerator@csiro.au. Any costs deemed unreasonable will not be eligible expenditure for the purposes of the grant, and will be at the expense of the Participating Organisation. Throughout your participation in the Program and up to 12 months after its conclusion, you may be asked to provide supporting evidence of your travel expenses, including tax invoices that specify the airfare (including class) and accommodation costs. Accommodation covers room charges only; incidental costs are not included. Nominated Participants are responsible for all travel insurance and medical expenses in relation to any travel associated with the Program. Nominated Participants should consult with their medical provider to obtain clearance to travel and conduct necessary due diligence regarding medical conditions before travelling to in-person activities. 7 How to apply to the Program The application process is conducted in two stages. Before commencing the application process, you must read and understand these Guidelines, paying close attention to all Eligibility Criteria and Assessment Criteria, and the sample Participation Agreement published on the CSIRO RISE Accelerator website. 7.1 Application Process Submit an application The application form asks a series of questions related to both eligibility, and assessment criteria as listed in section 8. We will assess your responses based on weighting given to each criterion and Program objectives. Address all the assessment criteria listed. The application form must be completed and submitted between the Opening and Closing Dates of the Round. You will need to set up an account via the Award Force platform. The platform allows you to submit and manage your application in a secure online environment. To submit an application you must: * complete and submit your application form using the online form in the Award Force platform * provide all the information requested * address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria * review privacy and other consents specific to the Program * submit your application form by the notified closing date/time. Personal Information is collected, including sensitive information of Nominated Participants for the purposes of delivering the Program, see section 12.4, Privacy. Applicants should not disclose sensitive Participant Organisation Confidential Information in the application form. Participant Organisation's should take all reasonable steps to ensure they do not disclose material which would undermine their ability to secure patent or other protection for Participant Organisation Confidential Information, or which would jeopardise or hinder their commercial activities. You are responsible for ensuring that your application form is complete and accurate. If we consider that you have provided false or misleading information, we may not progress your application. If you find any false or misleading information after submitting it, you should contact us immediately at RISEaccelerator@csiro.au. You cannot change your application form after the closing date and time. If we find an error or information that is missing, we may ask for clarification or additional information from you that will not change the nature of your application. However, we can refuse to accept any additional information from you that would change your submission after the application closing time. You should keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents. Respond to questions if required We may seek further information, clarifications by written response, or via a call or video conference. This may include the need for an interview with a panel of assessors if required. Additional information may be required to assist us to determine which applications, based on competitive merit and alignment to Program objectives, are invited to participate in the Program. Submission of an application form does not guarantee proceeding to this stage. We may also seek additional information about an application from independent technical experts and other government agencies where appropriate. We may also consider information about an application that is available through the normal course of business. Applicants should not disclose sensitive Participant Organisation Confidential Information when speaking with assessors. Participant Organisations should take all reasonable steps to ensure they do not disclose material which would undermine their ability to secure patent or other protection for Participant Organisation Confidential Information, or which would jeopardise or hinder their commercial activities. 7.2 Timing of Program application and assessment processes You must submit your application form between the Opening and Closing Dates stipulated at the start of this document. Late submissions is at the discretion of the Program Delegate. Expected timings for the Program application, selection and notifications are as outlined above in Section 3.1, Table 1. 7.3 Questions during the application process If you have any questions during the application period, contact RISEaccelerator@csiro.au. We will respond to emailed questions within three working days. 8 The Program assessment Program applicants are required to propose technologies or solutions that address the program Challenge Statement/s listed in section 4.1. Assessment criteria weighting will apply as listed in section 8.1, with questions asked relating to these criteria. You must address all the assessment criteria in the application. The amount of detail and supporting evidence you provide in your application should be relative to the assessment criteria weighting. You should justify your answers. The application form displays word limits for each response. 8.1 Weighted Assessment Criteria The following weighted criteria apply to Round 3. Assessment criterion 1 Technology, Innovation and Alignment to Challenge Statement (35%) You should demonstrate this through identifying: * a clear value proposition for the technology/solution including whether it's potentially disruptive * sound evidence of Technology Readiness Level. If TRL 5-6 also demonstrate how rapid advancement will be achieved through expansion to India * ownership of IP or right to commercialise your technology/solution * how your solution aligns to the RISE Accelerator Challenge Statement/s, and its potential for social, economic or environmental impact in India, Australia, and globally. Assessment criterion 2 Commercialisation & Market (30%) You should demonstrate this through identifying: * addressable market size and value for the technology/solution in India/Australia/globally * awareness of target customer base, the competitive environment and potential obstacles to cross- border commercialisation. Assessment criterion 3 Financial Positioning (20%) You should demonstrate this through identifying: * providing a copy of the Financial Statements for the last 3 financial years (or less, if entity is less than 3 years old) * that the Organisation has sustainable revenue or other funding for the next 12-24 months and that funds can be allocated for international expansion * a compelling rationale for cross-border expansion into India, now. Assessment criterion 4 Team & Capabilities (15%) You should demonstrate this through identifying: * that the Organisation has sufficient people and capacity to fully participate in the Program and undertake pilot activities while conducting business as usual * any evidence of team experience in developing international markets and in commercialisation. * whether the Organisation is: - regionally based and/or - First Nations, migrant or female owned, founded, and or led. 8.2 Merit assessment and evaluation We first review your meeting of the eligibility criteria. Only eligible applications will be assessed further. If you find any false or misleading information in your responses after submission, you should contact us at RISEaccelerator@csiro.au. If we find an error or information that is missing, we may ask for clarification or additional information from you. However, we can refuse to accept any additional information from you that would change your submission after the closing time. Applications that meet eligibility criteria are assessed against the assessment criteria and are ranked by merit. We may seek and consider further information regarding an application including via an interview, conducted virtually with a panel of assessors. The information provided in the application and the interview responses are assessed using the same weighted Assessment Criteria (section 8.1), and by comparison to other applicants. Following this, the assessment panel recommend successful applicants to the Program Delegate for approval. We consider the merits of your application, based on: * how well it meets the weighted Assessment Criteria * how it compares to other applications * your understanding of and alignment to the Program objectives, and the evidence provided to demonstrate how your technology/solution and cross-border aspirations contributes to meeting those objectives * any national interest, financial, legal/regulatory, governance or other issue; any risk that we identify during any due diligence process that we conduct in respect of the applicant; and or any perceived or existing conflicts of interests declared by you. This includes the applicant's directors, officers, senior managers, key personnel, its related bodies corporate (as defined in the Corporations Act) or its application that could bring CSIRO or the Australian Government into disrepute if it were to fund the applicant. Such issues and risks include where we consider that funding the application under this grant opportunity is likely to directly conflict with Australian Government policy. Where possible and subject to national security and other considerations, we will provide you with an opportunity to comment on any material risks identified during this due diligence process prior to our determining the extent (if any) to which those issues or risks affect our assessment of the application and, if so, whether they are sufficient to warrant the exclusion of your application from the assessment process. Assessors are CSIRO employees and or external technical and commercial professionals approved by the Program Delegate as having knowledge and experience aligned to the Program objectives. Assessors includes those who sit on an interview panel, and assess each application on its merit and compare and rank it against other eligible applications. All Assessors are required to declare any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from any applications affected. Assessors may seek additional information about an application from independent technical experts and other government agencies where appropriate. Assessors may also consider information about an application that is available through the normal course of business. 8.3 Who will approve successful program applicants and Grants? The Program Delegate approves successful program applications considering the recommendations of the interview panel, availability of grant funds, and Program objectives. The Program Delegate's decision is final in all matters, including: * the selection of Program applicants * the approval of the Grants * the Grant amount to be awarded * the terms and conditions of the Grant * your meeting of Grant requirements. We cannot review decisions about the merits of your application or Grant. There is no appeal mechanism for application decisions, or decisions to approve or not approve a Grant. No individual feedback will be given for unsuccessful applications. 8.4 Announcement of successful program applicants and Grants In accordance with the Participation Agreement, we may publish non-sensitive details of Participant Organisations on csiro.au. This is information may include: * name of Participant Organisation * title of your technology (Discovery Phase) and pilot project (Pilot Phase) * high-level description of your technology and or Pilot Phase activities * amount of Grant awarded * Participant Organisation location * Participant Organisation industry sector. 8.5 Notification of application outcomes The issue of these Guidelines does not imply that CSIRO is bound to select an applicant. CSIRO reserves the right to accept/reject any or all of applications submitted at any stage without assigning any reasons whatsoever. We will advise you of the outcome of your application in writing. If you are successful, we will advise you of any specific conditions attached to the Program and associated Grant, which will be set out in the Participation Agreement. Unsuccessful applicants may submit a new application in future program Rounds if you meet the eligibility criteria. 8.6 Pilot Phase Selection Process Participant Organisations may be invited, at the conclusion of the Discovery Phase, to enter the Pilot Phase of the Program. Up to 10 Participating Organisations will be invited to take part in the Pilot Phase. To be considered for the Pilot Phase of the Program, Participant Organisations must have demonstrated: * satisfactory participation in, and completion of, Program Activities throughout the Discovery Phase * timely and satisfactory submission of Discovery Phase deliverables, including a robust pilot or commercial transaction plan, and which will be the focus of the Participant Organisation's activities in the Pilot Phase and * meeting performance milestones and participation requirements. You do not need to apply to the Pilot Phase of the Program. An assessment panel will competitively assess you against your cohort Participating Organisations based on: * your completion and performance of the Discovery Phase activities * submission of a robust and tangible project plan that will be the foundation of your Pilot Phase activities * potential to commercialise and succeed in India, and * alignment against the Program's objectives. Following this, the assessment panel recommend Participating Organisations to invite to the Pilot Phase to the Program Delegate for approval. The Program Delegate approves successful Participant Organisations in the Pilot Phase considering the recommendations of the Program team, Assessors, availability of grant funds, and Program objectives. 9 Further grant opportunities If there are not enough suitable applications to meet the Program objectives in any given Round, we will: * select only those applications, and or Participant Organisations for the Pilot Phase, that do meet assessment criteria and that align with Program objectives * utilise unspent funds in future Rounds. This may include the delivery of one-off targeted, closed competitive processes, inviting specific applications from the pool of previous Participant Organisations, and or new applicants. 10 Successful applications 10.1 Participation Agreement You must enter into a legally binding Participation Agreement, in order to participate in the Program Activities and to receive Grant payments. You will be required to elect and list in the Participation Agreement a minimum of two, maximum four, Nominated Participants who will actively participate in the Program Activities. These Nominated Participants, such as co-founders, executives or similar, must be over 18 years of age. Program Activities may only be attended by your Nominated Participants. For any changes to Nominated Participants you must contact us immediately at RISEaccelerator@csiro.au. The provision of Program Activities and your Grant may have specific conditions determined by the assessment process or other considerations made by the Program Delegate. We will identify these in the offer of your selection into the Program, within the Participation Agreement. We will manage the arrangement directly with you and will provide specific contact details for this purpose. This includes issuing and executing of documents. Execute means both you and the Program Delegate have signed the Participation Agreement. We are not responsible for any expenditure you incur. We will not make any Grant payments, until a Participation Agreement is executed, and only then we will make Grant payments after Milestones have been met. You will have no more than 7 days from the date of a written offer to have an appropriate delegate execute the Participation Agreement. The offer may lapse if you do not sign the Participation Agreement within the 7 days. Under certain circumstances, we may extend this period. We base the approval of your acceptance into the Program and associated Grant on the information you provide in your application. We will review any requested or required changes to these details to ensure they do not impact your participation in the Program and your Grant as approved by the Program Delegate. You may not request changes to the terms of the Participation Agreement. You should let us know if anything is likely to affect your participation in the Program Activities. 10.2 Communications Guidance on publicity and promotional activities, such as announcements of Program acceptance, will be provided after the Commencement Date and adhering to the guidance will form part of your agreement with us. These Guidelines provide important information and direction to Participating Organisations regarding CSIRO, AIM and RISE Accelerator logo and name use throughout the Program, as detailed in the Participation Agreement and Acknowledgement Marks and Guidelines. The overall goal of guidance on publicity and promotional activities is to support Participating Organisations to promote significant milestones (e.g. Program acceptance, participation in Program Activities, Showcase events) whilst ensuring any and all communications regarding the Program is in keeping with CSIRO approval processes. You must familiarise yourself with the guidance from the outset of the Program to avoid brand and logo misuse, and are advised to contact RISEaccelerator@csiro.au for any questions or concerns. 11 Documentation, Reporting and Evaluation Successful applicants will be required to submit documentation and reports in accordance with the Participation Agreement. The amount of detail you provide should be relative to the complexity of Program Activities, your Pilot Phase activities, their size and cost. Submission of the Documentation and Reporting, including Market Entry Strategy, Pilot Phase Plan and Final Reports, are key Milestones and to which the Grant payments are tied. We will also evaluate the Program to measure how well program objectives have been achieved. We may use information from successful applications for reporting and evaluation purposes. We may also interview you or ask you for more information to help us understand how the Program and Grant impacted the Participant Organisation, and the Nominated Participants. We may contact you up to 36 months after completion date of Program Activities for more information to assist with this evaluation. Please refer to the Participation Agreement for further details. 11.1 Baseline survey You will complete a baseline survey prior to commencing the Program to: * understand key business performance metrics as a baseline * understand business growth projections and aspirations prior to your participation in the Program. 11.2 Market Entry Strategy & Pilot Phase Plan This is one document, to be completed in the template provided. Your Market Entry Strategy cannot pertain to any activities or technology that would be reasonably anticipated to bring the Program into disrepute and is expected to reflect the core technology for which the company entered into the Program (or as otherwise updated with approval of Program Delegate). It must outline at a minimum: - internationalisation goal - value proposition statement - target market, customers and key stakeholders - key measures and timeframes - anticipated outcomes Your Pilot Phase Plan will outline at a minimum: - Pilot Phase objectives, including activities that would reasonably be expected to contribute to the furthering of your technology's market entry - project activities, including nominated pilot partner(s) - project operational capability, resources and budget - budget in the template provided at the commencement of the program, and that demonstrates incurred and or forecast expenditure of at least an amount equal to the Grant - risks and mitigations The Market Entry Strategy & Pilot Phase Plan is to be submitted in the one document, in the template provided at the commencement of the program; and is to be submitted by the due date as per Schedule 1 of the Participation Agreement or earlier. You must discuss any potential delays in submission with us as soon as you become aware of them. 11.3 Final Program Discovery Phase, and Pilot Phase Reports At the conclusion of the Discovery Phase Program Activities and your Pilot Phase project, if invited, you must submit a Final Program Report. This must: * outline if and how your market entry (Discovery Phase); and Pilot Phase (Pilot Phase) planning and outcomes have been achieved * include evidence of cross-border achievements during the Program * identify the total Pilot Phase expenditure incurred, against budget * is to be submitted by the due date as per Schedule 1 of the Participation Agreement or earlier. We will only make the final Grant payment when we receive satisfactory Final Program Report, determined to be satisfactory by the Program Delegate. You must discuss any potential delays in submission with us as soon as you become aware of them. 11.4 Post-program reporting Post-program reporting will be required for a period of 36 months post-program. Survey responses will be required to assist us to reasonably track how you and your cross-border activities have generally progressed since completion of the Program. Survey responses must be returned within four weeks of receiving the online survey request. Reporting for a period of 36 months following the end of the Program, will be required at: * 12 months past Program completion * 24 months past Program completion * 36 months past Program completion 11.5 Ad-hoc reports and communications We may ask you for ad-hoc reports and information about your Program Activities, pilot phase outcomes, and your participation in the Program. This may be for input into marketing and promotion communications materials, or for an update on progress, or any significant delays or difficulties in completing the Program Activities. 12 Other things you should know 12.1 Guideline updates These Guidelines may be changed from time-to-time. The updated version will be available on the website csiro.au/en/work-with-us/international/rise-accelerator. The version in place when Participant Organisations enter into a Participation Agreement will apply to that Organisation. 12.2 Enquiries and feedback All feedback, any complaints or questions about the RISE Accelerator program, Grant and process must be provided in writing to RISEaccelerator@csiro.au. 12.3 Conflicts of interest Any conflicts of interest could affect the performance of the grant opportunity or program. There may be a conflict of interest, or perceived conflict of interest if you or any of your personnel: * has a professional, commercial or personal relationship with a party who is able to influence the application selection process, such as a CSIRO RISE Accelerator Program employee, or an Assessor * has a relationship with or interest in, an organisation, which is likely to interfere with or restrict the CSIRO or Participant Organisations from carrying out proposed Program Activities fairly and independently. As part of your application, you will be required to declare any perceived or existing conflicts of interests or confirm that, to the best of your knowledge, there is no conflict of interest. If you later identify an actual, apparent, or perceived conflict of interest, you must inform us in writing immediately. CSIRO is committed to conducting the affairs of the organisation with integrity and in the national interest consistent with the functions of CSIRO as set out in the Science and Industry Research Act 1949 (SIR Act), the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and other relevant legislation. We publish our conflict of interest process via the CSIRO Code of Conduct on the CSIRO website. All Program employees, Assessors or officials including the Program Delegate must also declare any conflicts of interest and manage such conflicts of interest in accordance with CSIRO's policies and procedures. 12.4 Privacy We are bound to protect personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. Personal Information is collected, including sensitive information of Nominated Participants for the purposes of delivering the Program. This personal information may include Nominated Participants' name, business address, email address and phone number. By submitting an application the Participant Organisation agrees that we will collect, use and disclose the Nominated Participants' personal information in accordance with the CSIRO Privacy Policy and RISE Privacy Statement for the purposes of facilitating the Program. We may disclose personal information to third parties including international program collaborator Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), relevant Australian Government departments and entities (including AusTrade, DFAT), suppliers, mentors, experts, corporates, sponsors, industry partners and research institutes for the purposes of assessing eligibility to participate in the Program and for the purposes of delivering the Program. By virtue of participation, Nominated Participants' personal information may be disclosed to other participants during attendance at Program Activities. As part of your application, you acknowledge that the Nominated Participants have been informed of CSIRO's privacy statement and CSIRO Privacy Policy and have provided their consent to the handling of their personal and sensitive information in the ways described in the CSIRO privacy statement and the CSIRO Privacy Policy for the purpose of the Program. Participants in the Program must comply with any directions given by CSIRO in relation to your use of personal information and must assist CSIRO to meet its obligations in relation to personal information collected, used or disclosed in connection with the Program. Participants must not use or disclose any personal information that you acquire, other than for the purposes of your role as a Participant. You also agree that you will take all reasonable steps to secure that personal information to ensure that it is not capable of being accessed by third parties. You must delete or return any personal information disclosed to you by CSIRO at the conclusion of your participation in the Program. 12.5 Confidential Information You should not disclose sensitive Confidential Information to CSIRO, AIM, Expert-in-Residence, subject matter mentors or other Participants. You should take all reasonable steps to ensure you do not disclose material which would undermine your ability to secure patent or other protection for Confidential Information, or which would jeopardise or hinder your commercial activities. You should ensure information contained in your application will not compromise your requirements for confidentiality (such as protection of Intellectual Property). 12.6 Freedom of information All documents in the possession of the Australian Government, including those about this grant opportunity, are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). The purpose of the FOI Act is to give members of the public rights of access to information held by the Australian Government and its entities. Under the FOI Act, members of the public can seek access to documents held by the Australian Government. This right of access is limited only by the exceptions and exemptions necessary to protect essential public interests and private and business affairs of persons in respect of whom the information relates. All Freedom of Information requests must be referred to the Freedom of Information Officer in writing. This can be: * by email: FOI@csiro.au * by post: FOI Officer, CSIRO PO Box 225 Dickson ACT 2602 Australia 12.7 National security It is your responsibility to consider any national security implications of your proposed Pilot Phase activities and to identify and manage any risks, particularly relating to export controls, potential for foreign interference and technology transfer. You should also ensure there are appropriate controls around any sensitive research data including securing intellectual property. Collaboration with foreign entities must be transparent, undertaken with full knowledge and consent, and in a manner, that avoids harm to Australia's national interests. It is your responsibility to consider the national security implications of your activities. Know your partner You should ensure that you know about who you are collaborating with by undertaking appropriate due diligence, proportionate to the risk and subject to available information, on all domestic and global partners and personnel participating in the Program Activities. This should take into account any potential security, ethical, legal and reputational risks, and where necessary, you should be prepared to demonstrate how you will manage and mitigate any identified risks. Export controls As this Program involves collaboration with foreign entities, some provisions of Australia's export controls regime may apply to your Program Activities and Pilot Phase Activities. It is your responsibility to consider the implications, if any, of the relevant legislation on the proposed activities and to comply with any applicable requirements. Further information is available on the Department of Defence website. 13 Glossary Term Definition Administering Entity The entity that is responsible for the administration of the Grant administration processes. Assessment Criteria Are the specified principles or standards, against which applications will be judged. These criteria are used to assess the merits of applications and, in the case of a competitive grant opportunity, to determine application rankings. Closing Date The last date applications can be submitted for the Program will be accepted Commencement Date The expected start date for the Program and Grant Activities Commonwealth Entity A Department of State, or a Parliamentary Department, or a listed entity or a body corporate established by a law of the Commonwealth. See subsections 10(1) and (2) of the PGPA Act Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is the Australian Government's national science agency. CSIRO is constituted and operates under the Science and Industry Research Act 1949 (SIR Act) and is responsible and accountable to the Commonwealth. Completion Date The expected date that Program activity must be completed by Confidential Information All information disclosed in any form or media, which is by its nature confidential or which the discloser identifies as confidential. Eligibility Criteria The mandatory criteria which must be met to qualify for the Program. Assessment criteria may apply in addition to eligibility criteria. Grant Financial assistance delivered by CSIRO and which is intended to help address one or more of the Australian Government's policy outcomes while assisting the grantee achieve its objectives. Grantee The Organisation which has been selected to participate in the Program, and to receive a Grant. Guidelines (This) Document containing relevant information for potential applicants to understand the purpose, outcome and objectives of the Program; the application and selection process; governance of the Program and Grant. These guidelines may be updated from time-to-time and will be published on https://www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/international/rise-accelerator. The version in place when a Participant Organisation enter into a Participation Agreement will apply to that Organisation. Milestones Grant is paid subject to a Participant Organisations satisfying each of the Milestones, specified performance and participation criteria. Nominated Participant/s Appointed personnel from the business, such as co-founder or executive, who will take part in the Program Activities. Online Application Online platform hosting the application form that applicants use to apply for funding under the Program. Opening Date The first date applications for the Program will be accepted. Term Definition Participation Agreement Binding agreement issued to successfully selected applicants, setting out the relationship between parties to the agreement, specifies the Program Activities, Travel Allowance and Grant Details. Personal Information Has the same meaning as in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) which is: * information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable: * whether the information or opinion is true or not; and * whether the information or opinion is recorded in a material form or not. Program Delegate An Australian Government official within CSIRO with financial delegation responsibility for administering the Program. Travel Allowance Financial assistance to support costs of one Nominated Participant attending the in-person travel experiences, as outlined in the Participation Agreement. As Australia's national science agency and innovation catalyst, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. CSIRO. Unlocking a better future for everyone. Contact us 1300 363 400 +61 3 9545 2176 csiro.au/contact csiro.au For further information RISE Accelerator Program Team CSIRO RISE Accelerator website CSIRO: RISEaccelerator@csiro.au CSIRO Australia's National Science Agency India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator Round 3, Version 1.0. Guidelines for Australian applicants only