Innovate to Grow: Circular Economy and Sustainability (Queensland)

Program detail

This 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, hearing from experts, researchers and your R&D coach.
• Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network.

Program alumni

"Participating in Innovate to Grow has been transformative for us. The guidance from our mentor helped us navigate complex hurdles and gave us the tools and mindset to innovate with purpose and impact."

Leanne Edge, Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc.

Course outline

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

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

• Participants will be provided with an on-boarding session, pre-workshop videos and reading materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• You'll complete a short pre-program exercise.
• Time commitment is approximately 3 - 4 hours.

Program start: Workshop (start date 21 May 2026, approximately 3.5 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Topics will include trends within your industry sector, research and innovation theory, meet the participants and a break-out session with your R&D coach. 
• Time commitment is approximately 3.5 hours. 

Week 1-8: Program timeline

• Participants will work through the online innovation program and exercises, supported by an R&D coach and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research idea and business case.
• Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
• A final survey at completion.
• Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program outcomes

• Refine your research idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: Meet with a CSIRO facilitator to discuss your program exercises and business challenges.
• Coaching: Learn more about research projects and get connected to an expert with help from an R&D coach.
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Key program outputs

• Identify strengths and weaknesses of your business idea.
• Build your R&D project plan.
• Develop your project roadmap and funding strategy. Review your business idea and create a list of priorities and actions.

Who can apply

This program is open to eligible SMEs operating in Queensland working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of the following subsectors:

• Manufacturing
• Transport
• Energy, solar, wind turbines, batteries
• Construction materials
• Agriculture, food and beverage
• Reducing plastic waste
• Mining and METS
• Digital, robotics and AI.

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Queensland that is registered with an ABN.
• A business classified as small to medium or start-up (less than 200 employees)
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have a circular economy or sustainability innovation idea to work on throughout the course.

Other considerations:

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

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: Circular Economy and Sustainability (Queensland)
• Innovate to Grow: Circular Economy and Sustainability (Queensland) - accessible text

Contact Innovate to Grow

Contact InnovateToGrow@csiro.au for assistance and more information.

Program detail

This 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, hearing from experts, researchers and your R&D coach.
• Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network.

Program alumni

"Participating in Innovate to Grow has been transformative for us. The guidance from our mentor helped us navigate complex hurdles and gave us the tools and mindset to innovate with purpose and impact."

Leanne Edge, Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc.

Course outline

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

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

• Participants will be provided with an on-boarding session, pre-workshop videos and reading materials to assist in preparing for the program.
• You'll complete a short pre-program exercise.
• Time commitment is approximately 3 - 4 hours.

Program start: Workshop (start date 21 May 2026, approximately 3.5 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Topics will include trends within your industry sector, research and innovation theory, meet the participants and a break-out session with your R&D coach. 
• Time commitment is approximately 3.5 hours. 

Week 1-8: Program timeline

• Participants will work through the online innovation program and exercises, supported by an R&D coach and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research idea and business case.
• Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
• A final survey at completion.
• Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program outcomes

• Refine your research idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: Meet with a CSIRO facilitator to discuss your program exercises and business challenges.
• Coaching: Learn more about research projects and get connected to an expert with help from an R&D coach.
• Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers and other SMEs.

Key program outputs

• Identify strengths and weaknesses of your business idea.
• Build your R&D project plan.
• Develop your project roadmap and funding strategy. Review your business idea and create a list of priorities and actions.

Who can apply

This program is open to eligible SMEs operating in Queensland working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of the following subsectors:

• Manufacturing
• Transport
• Energy, solar, wind turbines, batteries
• Construction materials
• Agriculture, food and beverage
• Reducing plastic waste
• Mining and METS
• Digital, robotics and AI.

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Queensland that is registered with an ABN.
• A business classified as small to medium or start-up (less than 200 employees)
• A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have a circular economy or sustainability innovation idea to work on throughout the course.

Other considerations:

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

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: Circular Economy and Sustainability (Queensland) PDF (433 KB)
• Innovate to Grow: Circular Economy and Sustainability (Queensland) - accessible text TXT (3 KB)

Contact Innovate to Grow

Contact InnovateToGrow@csiro.au for assistance and more information.