CSIRO
Australia’s National Science Agency

Innovate to Grow program: 

Cyber security 

Applications are open for a free 10‑week online program for small 
to medium enterprises (SMEs) working in cyber security to explore 
their research and development (R&D) opportunities. 

Build your R&D idea 

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) play a key role 
in growing Australia’s cyber security industry. But taking 
an R&D idea and turning this into reality can sometimes 
be a daunting prospect.

Our free self-paced 10-week program will build your skills 
to help you refine your innovation idea and turn this into 
a R&D opportunity.

Register today 

Applications close: 7 Nov 2022 

Program starts: 1 Dec 2022 

csiro.au/Cyber-Security





Key program outcomes 

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 paired with a researcher from 
CSIRO or a university to help connect you with the 
relevant specialists. 

Build your network: You will build key contacts in your 
sector, including researchers at CSIRO and universities, 
domain experts, funding professionals and other SMEs. 

Key things covered include: 

• Identifying your innovation opportunities. 
• Refining your value proposition. 
• Understanding the R&D viability. 
• Helping you build your business case. 
• Providing guidance on how to prepare a strong 
funding application. 


Who can attend 

Participants working in cyber security. 
This can be in any sub-sector including; 

• Network security. 
• Application security. 
• Human centric security. 
• Data integrity and privacy. 
• Incident management and response. 
• Critical infrastructure security.
• Quantum security.
• Software security. 
• Security and privacy of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 
/ Machine Learning (ML). 
• AI/ML for security and privacy.
• Supply chain security.


Selection criteria (essential): 

• An Australian registered and operating business 
with an ABN and ACN/ICN.
• Business classified as small to medium 
(<200 employees). 
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, 
exploring R&D opportunities for their business and 
have an idea to work on throughout the course. 


Other considerations: 

• Currently working in the cyber security sector 
(or have identified a new opportunity relevant 
to cyber). 
• Any other information provided to support 
your application. 
• Have a clear need to develop your skills in R&D. 


Commitment and course outline 

Preparing for the program (~2.5 hours) 

Pre-workshop videos, onboarding, materials 
and questionnaires. 

Week 1 (Official start date, 1 Dec) 
Workshop (4.5 hours) 

Guest speakers from CSIRO, sector experts and SMEs 
who will provide tips and information on topics such 
as trends and opportunities, innovation experience 
and funding. You will also meet your fellow participants 
and mentor. 

Weeks 2–10 
Self-paced innovation program (2–3 hours per week) 

Participants explore opportunities to grow 
their business through innovation and research. 
Fortnightly virtual participant networking events 
and additional webinars (1 hour each). 

A final questionnaire is required at completion. 

“Significant benefits of being part of the ‘ecosystem’ – 
from which associations and opportunities flow.” 

– Amanda Falconer, Founder and CEO, 
Former participant

“The perfect solution in the current times ... 
nobody knows their product/markets and how to 
improve them like SMEs, they just don’t have the 
resources to develop them. This course taps that 
knowledge rich base and links with the resources.” 

– Hamish Shaw, GM, Former participant

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of 
the application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue 
R&D. We also include participants from a variety of industry 
sub‑sectors and regions.

CSIRO Innovate to Grow is delivered using Practera’s online 
ed-tech platform and facilitation services.

For further information 

Michelle Armistead 

Innovate to Grow Program Coordinator 

michelle.armistead@csiro.au 

csiro.au/innovatetogrow

This program is funded by the 
Australian Government Department 
of Industry, Science and Resources 
through the Cyber Security Skills 
Partnership Innovation Fund.