Innovate to Grow program: 

Defence Victoria/Tasmania

Applications are open for a free 10‑week program for small to medium 
enterprises (SMEs) to investigate new research and development (R&D) 
opportunities relevant to the defence industry. 

Build your R&D idea 

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) play a key role 
in Australia’s defence industry. How confident are you 
taking an R&D idea and turning this into reality?

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

Register today 

Applications close: 10 October 2022 

Program starts: 17 October 2022 

csiro.au/InnovatetoGrow 


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

– Amanda Falconer, Founder and CEO, 
Former participant

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 to support the defence 
industry in Victoria and Tasmania. This can be in any 
sub‑sector including; 

• Integrated intelligence, surveillance 
and reconnaissance.
• Enhanced human performance.
• Medical countermeasures.
• Advanced materials.
• Advanced sensors or quantum technologies.
• Autonomous systems.
• Space.


Selection criteria (essential): 

• An Australian registered and operating business 
with an ABN and ACN/ICN. 
• A business operating in Victoria and Tasmania.
• 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 defence sector or 
working in another area but have identified a new 
opportunity relevant to the defence industry. 
• Any other information provided to support 
your application. 
• Have a clear need to develop your skills in R&D. 


Commitment and course outline 

Pre-workshop | Preparing for the program (~2 hours) 

Pre-workshop videos, materials and questionnaires. 

Week 1 | 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. 

“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 jointly-funded 
by the Defence Science Institute