ON the Radar
Grants and funding
Trailblazers for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) Co-Funding Initiative: Eligible projects can receive $50,000–$200,000 in co-funding, covering up to 40% of project costs in collaboration with the University of Newcastle.
Drought Resilience Innovation Challenges Pilot Program: Federal funding is available to help drive and fast-track the availability of existing and emerging high-impact drought resilience approaches, innovative practices, tools and technologies. Submissions close 22 Oct 2025.
NHMRC–GACD 2025 Grant Opportunity: Applications are open for the NHMRC–Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) grant round. The program funds implementation research that strengthens health systems and improves care for communities facing health inequities - including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia and populations in low- and middle-income countries. Closes 28 Oct 2025.
Advancing Renewables Grant Program: Provides businesses with matched funding or finance between $100K - $50M to develop renewable energy technologies. The renewable energy technologies may include hybrid technologies and technologies that are related to renewable energy technologies.
Cancer Council Funding in WA: Research funding opportunities for projects that have the potential to translate into practice, and result in real improvements for people impacted by cancer.
Defence Industry Development Grants Program: Funds SMEs to build Australia's sovereign capability, global competitiveness, technical superiority and national security with funding up to $1M available. Closes 30 Oct 2025.
QLD Female Founders Co-Investment Fund: Female Founders Co-Investment funding of up to $200K is available to innovative female founded businesses undertaking a new pre-seed or seed capital raise. The fund aims to support eligible businesses to leverage funding and secure new investment to build business capacity.
Events and development opportunities
ON Prime 18 Showcases: Ever wondered what’s possible for your research? Come along to ON Prime 18 Showcase and see how researchers are reimagining the impact of their work beyond the lab and academic journals. Hear from teams applying their expertise across academic disciplines as they share what they've learned and where their research might go next:
Brisbane Showcase – Tues, 21 Oct, 5pm–7pm AEST
Melbourne Showcase – Wed, 22 Oct, 5pm–7pm AEDT
Adelaide Showcase – Thurs, 23 Oct, 5pm–7pm ACDT
Virtual Showcase – Tues, 28 Oct, 12pm–1pm AWST
Sydney Showcase – Thurs, 30 Oct, 5pm–7pm AEDT
Applications are now open for the Velos Accelerator: Melbourne's new innovation hub fast-tracking health tech breakthroughs from lab bench to bedside. Expressions of interest are invited for the pilot program, The Founders.
School of ICT - Connect & Collaborate Expo: Meet Tasmania's emerging tech talent and discover cutting-edge student innovations at the University of Tasmania's School of ICT showcase of the research and ideas shaping the state's digital future. 29 Oct 2025 | Hobart (Sandy Bay campus).
From Concept to Capability: Mastering Human-Centred Prototyping and POC: The third event in Canberra Cyber Hub's Partnerships of Innovation series will focus on bridging the gap between academic research and industry product development. Designed for researchers, engineers and developers working across the cybersecurity, quantum and space ecosystems, the session will explore how to translate complex concepts into tangible prototypes and compelling proofs of concept. 30 Oct 2025 | Canberra
Canberra's Innovation Showcase: Celebrate Canberra’s brightest innovators at the CBRIN Innovation Showcase, where startups, researchers and changemakers across ACT come together to share ideas shaping the future. 5 Nov 2025 | Canberra
From Lab to Launch: Bridging Research and Startup Success in Australia: Register now for a special collab event with ON x The Startup Network. Hear from a panel exploring how collaboration, funding and inclusive innovation are turning research into real-world ventures. Hear from leaders across universities, industry, and investment as they share insights on building impactful startups followed by networking with Melbourne’s innovation community. 6 November 2025 | Melbourne.
Hello Tomorrow Challenge: The longest-running deep-tech startup competition is back again! Focused on early-stage deep-tech ventures tackling major industrial, societal, and environmental challenges globally, finalists gain access to equity-free prize money (up to €100 K), a world-wide network of investors and corporates, and the opportunity to pitch at the Hello Tomorrow Summit. Applications close Nov 2025.
25 Years of Cicada - Deep-tech Expo and Celebration: Not just a party, but a living exhibition of the people and technologies shaping the next 25 years. Join the Cicada team for a world-fair style expo and celebration at their HQ! 11 Nov | Sydney
Women in STEM Panel: An upcoming event will highlight the power of collaboration in STEM - sharing stories of women driving innovation and shaping a stronger, more connected future. 12 Nov 2025 | Brisbane.
Beanstalk Drought Venture Studio's Inaugural Virtual Field Day: Discover how Australia's agtech ecosystem is driving drought resilience for farmers. Hear from innovators, farmers and partners as they share practical solutions, adoption success stories, and pathways to strengthen productivity and climate resilience across Australian agriculture. 20 Nov 2025 | Virtual
AI for Business - A Guide to AI Adoption: Written by Professor Jon Whittle, Director of CSIRO's Data61, AI for Business is a practical guide to cutting through the hype and using AI to create real, human-centred value. Perfect for leaders ready to harness AI with confidence and integrity. Pre-order now via CSIRO Publishing.
