Your dose of research translation, deep-tech and innovation insights
2026 is already in full swing, and the ON team has well and truly hit the ground running. This week our ON Accelerate 10 cohort wrapped up Immersion week - the first big step in their three-month journey.
Selected from a highly competitive Bootcamp experience, these ventures are tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges across sustainability, health, data-driven technologies and more. We can’t wait to see how they experiment, learn and grow in the months ahead.
If you’d like to see where they land, their final pitches will be on stage at our biggest event of the year: ON Translate 2026. ON Translate is the heart of our deep tech innovation community, bringing together alumni, mentors, industry partners and leaders from across the country to share, learn, collaborate and celebrate.
Exclusive invitations went out last week, so check your inbox and register quickly as seats are limited.
Over the past two weeks, we’ve also delivered three fantastic Research to Value workshops across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, in partnership with UNSW, QUT and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. (A warm welcome to the new subscribers joining us from those sessions!) The workshops were a great reminder of the impact of a collaborative ecosystem - within hours, researchers were already reframing their ideas, improving how they communicate them and uncovering potential customers.
For those interested in more of these short, introductory learning sessions check out our upcoming ON Pipeline workshops online.
And if you’re keen to meet more innovators and innovation supporters, our Ecosystem Mixers are the perfect place to start. In collaboration with Stone & Chalk, we’re hosting one in Melbourne tonight and another in Sydney next week, details are further below.
And to think… we’re only two months into the year. There’s so much more ahead!
ONwards,
Tennille and the ON Team
26 February | ON x Stone & Chalk Melbourne Ecosystem Mixer
On tonight! For the Victorian deep tech founders, researchers and industry leaders, this networking event will feature founders who have successfully navigated the journey from idea to impact – including two of our ON alumni from DHI-AI. Attendees will also be given an opportunity to pitch.
4 March | ON Prime 19 applications close
Know a researcher who could benefit from ON Prime? Help them build their research translation skills by sharing and encouraging them to apply.
12, 25 March and 28 April | ON Pipeline Workshop Series – Foundational Skills
Our free online webinar series designed to give researchers a practical, confidence-building introduction to key research translation skills. Attend one or all modules on ‘Building your research team for impact’, ‘Research project scoping essentials’, and ‘Navigating research funding opportunities’.
25 March | Sydney Ecosystem Mixer
For our NSW based deep tech innovators and supporters, this is your chance to meet with the community and hear from some of our alumni about their journeys in translating their research into impact. In collaboration with the Sydney Knowledge Hub and featuring short pitch opportunities for the audience.
1 April | ON Accelerate 10 Networking Event, Canberra
Meet the founders of our ON Accelerate 10 cohort, 10 research-driven, entrepreneurial teams who have been competitively selected for this year’s Accelerate program. Connect with other like-minded innovators in the deep tech ecosystem of Canberra.
11 June | ON Translate 2026, Melbourne
Exclusive invitations went out last week, so check your inboxes and register quick to save your seat! ON Translate is the heart of our deep tech innovation community, bringing together alumni, mentors, industry partners and leaders from across the country to share, learn, collaborate and celebrate. The event this year includes our ON Accelerate showcase where 10 teams will pitch their research-driven startups.
The latest episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked features our ON Prime alumni, Michelle Chen. Michelle shares her journey as a founder, how her lived experiences with depression and anxiety inspired her to create games that can be used as tools for emotional expression and self-care. She reflects on designing tech for good and the importance of representation in our media and in industry.
A great listen for anyone interested in the intersection of tech startups and mental wellbeing, check out the full podcast episode on your favourite listening platform.
ON Prime alumni and CSIRO neuroscientist, Dana Bradford, is helping unlock the science behind student learning in The Classroom Brain, a free, three-part online video resource. The series provides practical strategies and activities to support diverse learners and foster engaging learning environments.
Grants and awards:
AEA Ignite Round 3 Grants: Up to $500,000, supporting early-stage research commercialisation at Australian universities, is now open for applications. Apply before Wednesday, 4 March 2026. Use their free top 5 application tips resource to boost your proposal.
The Discovery Early Career Researcher Award: Provides focused research support for promising early career researchers and innovative research. The scheme provides a researcher with salary and on-costs, and up to $50,000 per year in project costs for three-years. Applications close 11 March 2026.
Diabetes Australia Grand Innovation Challenge: For researchers, startups and deep tech teams, offering $500,000 in total funding across six grants to accelerate breakthroughs that improve the lives of people living with or at risk of diabetes. EOIs due 31 March 2026.
The 2026 iAwards: Australia’s longest running and most prestigious tech innovation awards, with national and international recognition. For tech solutions that are helping solve real-world problems and create meaningful change for how we live, work and for communities across Australia and beyond! Enter the 2026 iAwards by Tuesday, 7 April 2026. For those interested, check out the Entry Tips Webinar on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Innovation Connect ACT: For Canberra-based startups and small businesses, this funding helps develop and commercialise technology focused innovations. Apply before Friday, 10 April 2026.
The Clean Energy Future Fund: Supports innovative clean energy projects across Western Australia (WA) that deliver high public value. The program is administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, with support from Energy Policy WA. Three funding rounds have been completed. Round 4 closes on 20 April 2026.
The Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund: Administered by ARENA, will provide up to $1.5 billion in grant funding to support pre-commercial innovation, demonstration and deployment of renewable energy and low emission technologies, to support Australia’s transition to a net zero economy. Find out more on their website.
Programs and events:
La Trobe Launchpad: A 12-week pre-accelerator program for emerging and aspiring founders with technology-led startup ideas. Convert entrepreneurial intention into true venture creation by building your mindset, toolkit and connections. For those in Victoria, applications close 1 March.
Validating energy innovation with real Living Labs: On Thursday 12 March, 11.00am-12.30pm, the CSIRO National Energy Analysis Centre, as part of Climate Action Week Sydney is hosting a networking event for innovators, startups and SMEs in the energy sector. Hear about how Living Labs are being used to trial energy innovations in Australia and the UK. Register to attend.
EnergyLab’s 2026 Climate Solutions Accelerator: Now open for high-traction climate tech startups preparing to scale or raise Seed/Series A. The free program offers $80-100k investment, capital strategy support, industry introductions, and global expansion guidance. Applications close 15 March.
Eagleworks LIVE: A multi-format exhibition and conference day focused on innovation, partnerships, commercialisation, technology and entrepreneurship. With panel sessions, networking and a tour of the Eagleworks Innovation Centre, the half-day event will be focused on how innovation is driven by collaboration and partnership between researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry. On Thursday 19 March, register to attend.
Beyond Makers Program: An initiative that provides a structured pathway for Australian deep tech and digital innovation startups to engage directly with Japanese manufacturing SMEs, including curated matching, co-creation planning, factory visits, and in-market collaboration opportunities. Applications close 20 March.
CSIRO Innovate to Grow – Advanced Manufacturing: The Innovate to Grow program is designed to help startups and SMEs learn how to plan collaborative R&D projects. Participants receive tailored guidance to progress their innovation, build capability and prepare for future commercial opportunities. Applications for the advanced manufacturing cohort are now open - closing on 22 March.
CSIRO’s Industry PhD Program: Connecting CSIRO, universities and industry to co-design PhD projects tackling real-world challenges. Apply for the Primary round (supporting approximately 30 new projects) before 2 April.
We're excited to see our ON alumni making waves! From startups to groundbreaking research, you're shaping the future.
We're proud of our ON community! Got an exciting breakthrough, milestone or update? Share your latest updates and let's celebrate your success together.
CSIRO’s ON Innovation Program is made possible through the Department of Education's URCAP funding.