CSIRO

Innovate to Grow program: 

Mining/METS

Applications are open for a free 10‑week online program for small 
to medium enterprises (SMEs) working in Mining/METS to explore 
how research and development (R&D) can advance their project. 

Build your R&D idea 

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) play a key role 
in growing Australia’s Mining/METS 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: 13 Feb 2023 

Program starts: 9 Mar 2023 

csiro.au/InnovateToGrow-Mining

Australia’s National Science Agency



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 Mining/METS. 
This can be in any sub-sector including; 

• Critical minerals. 
• Low Impact Mining and Environmental Tech 
for mining applications.
• Mining technologies.
• Mineral exploration, discovery and analysis.
• Processing and sorting.
• Mining equipment and parts.
• Mining and agriculture.


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 Mining/METS sector 
(or have identified a new opportunity relevant 
to Mining/METS). 
• 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 hours) 

Pre-workshop videos, onboarding, materials 
and questionnaires. 

Week 1 (Official start date, 9 Mar) 
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 mining industry has big challenges, with lots of 
elements that need to come together, and the CSIRO 
are playing a key part for our research and development 
goals...We would whole-heartedly recommend the 
Innovate to Grow program to other mining/METs 
companies, especially to help them gain R&D direction 
for their business opportunities." 

– Dr Alan Ooi, Principal Scientist, Product Development, 
API Management

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

B&M | 23-00007