Information for Australian research organisations and technology companies

Fast track your R&D commercialisation journey

The Technology Commercialisation Challenge (TCC 2.0) aligns Australian researchers, startups and SMEs with leading Indian manufacturers in the renewable energy industry.

Supporting your R&D pathway to commercialisation, this program connects you online and in-person with collaborative Indian industry partners to scale your renewable energy solutions, in the areas of solar photovoltaics, battery and hydrogen technologies, and associated technology supporting the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership.

This mutually beneficial program leverages Australian technology and research expertise paired with Indian manufacturing scalability. Our Program Facilitators work with you to build opportunities for two-way investment and the commercialisation of advanced renewable solutions and technologies.

Australian participating organisations are also eligible for $55,000 grant funding to support the adaptation of research and technologies to respond to Indian manufacturing challenges.

What’s in it for your organisation?

• access to the expertise of India’s largest renewable manufacturers, a high growth market needing advanced solutions
• opportunities to apply Australian expertise to real industry problems, increasing chances of translation and impact
• faster pathways to market for Australian clean tech innovations, supported by Indian scale and demand access to the Indian market, one of the world’s largest renewable manufacturing and energy markets, enabling global commercialisation opportunities
• grant funding for Australian organisations up to $55,000 to support collaboration and project development, lowering the burden of international engagement
• deepened introductions and networking with major Indian manufacturers, which can lead to recurring R&D, commercial arrangements and supply chain diversification
• insights from India’s fast growing clean energy market inform Australia’s innovation strategy and whole of government priorities
• introduction to a pipeline of opportunities for Australian organisations for funding and development.

Training and industry engagement

Throughout the program, Australian participating organisations benefit from access to targeted capability‑building training, including specialised Indian market literacy resources, and meaningful engagement with Indian renewable energy manufacturers, industry bodies and government agencies.

From facilitated collaboration meetings to in‑person site visits during India Week, and hands‑on exposure to real industry challenges, the TCC program deepens market understanding, strengthens cross‑cultural collaboration skills, and enhances capability to translate research into commercial pathways.

TCC helps participating organisations to align with real market‑driven R&D needs, form early agreements, prepare joint funding proposals, and advance toward pilot testing - creating faster, clearer pathways to commercialise Australian technologies in India’s growing clean‑energy sectors.

Grant funding

Participating Australian Research Organisations and technology companies receive a grant of $55,000 to fund collaboration and project activities with India under this program. This grant supports technology development and collaboration with an Indian partner, covering researcher salaries, consumables, travel and other related costs, so your team can focus on building strong commercialisation relationships and opportunities.

What to expect throughout the program

Starting from June 2026, TCC 2.0 will progress in three key phases:

1. Identification
   • You will work with the Program Facilitators to understand the specified R&D challenges being raised by emerging and established Indian renewables manufacturers, so you can assess fit and where you can add the most value.
   • You will be matched with Indian manufacturers whose needs align with your research strengths or technology solutions, establishing a clear starting point for collaboration.
2. Engagement
   • You will be supported to collaborate towards developing R&D and commercialisation-led solution(s), through capability-building training and coaching throughout the engagement.
   • Our Program Facilitators will schedule and facilitate introductions to support you to find the right fit.
   • If opportunities to collaborate are identified, we work with you to adapt your research and technologies with your Indian manufacturing partner. At this point, Australian organisations will be invited to apply for the grant opportunity.
3. Collaboration
   • If your grant application is successful, the grant funding will support the delivery of your Challenge Activities, including travel.
   • You will enter a mutually beneficial collaborative arrangement with your Indian manufacturing partner, with key project aims, activities and deliverables delivered over at least 9 months.
   • You will engage with your Indian manufacturing partner in India during an in-person week.

Outcomes from the TCC pilot round

The TCC pilot supported six partnerships between Australia research organisations and Indian manufacturers. Read more about the TCC 1.0 cohort.

Uniting research and manufacturing to boost solar reliability

Through the TCC pilot, Rayzon Solar and UNSW have commenced a collaborative research process, beginning with a joint lab and manufacturing‑line visit to define the project scope, deliverables, and timelines for studying and mitigating UV‑induced degradation in TOPCon cells.

This work is expected to produce more durable, higher‑performing solar modules and strengthen bilateral clean‑energy cooperation by combining UNSW’s research expertise, CSIRO’s facilitation, and Rayzon Solar’s manufacturing capabilities. Read their media release.

Deepening connections through in-country visits

As part of the TCC pilot, the ANU ESI Lab team travelled to India for a week and strengthened its collaboration with Thermax Limited through direct, in-person engagement, including a visit hosted by Thermax and meetings with key Thermax representatives.

The visit also helped progress cross-country collaboration by contributing to discussions and shaping practical workplans that set up the next stage of joint activity in areas including renewable energy, green hydrogen and technology commercialisation.

What participants are saying about TCC

“It has opened a pathway for our diversification with our international industry partners.”

Vikram Solar, ANU

“The program is strong in bringing together government, industry, and researchers, with direct face-to-face engagement at MNRE and the Australian High Commission. This is a major strength because it builds visibility, credibility, and cross-border relationship.”

h2e Power, RMIT

“Participation in this collaboration... has shifted our approach from relationship-building and research dissemination toward impact-driven, implementation-focused partnerships. The emphasis is now on scalable deployment, industry integration, and measurable sustainability outcomes, positioning internationalisation not just as global engagement, but as strategic collaboration that accelerates industrial decarbonisation and creates shared value for both countries.”

JSW Steel, UNSW

Fast track your R&D commercialisation journey

The Technology Commercialisation Challenge (TCC 2.0) aligns Australian researchers, startups and SMEs with leading Indian manufacturers in the renewable energy industry.

Supporting your R&D pathway to commercialisation, this program connects you online and in-person with collaborative Indian industry partners to scale your renewable energy solutions, in the areas of solar photovoltaics, battery and hydrogen technologies, and associated technology supporting the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership.

This mutually beneficial program leverages Australian technology and research expertise paired with Indian manufacturing scalability. Our Program Facilitators work with you to build opportunities for two-way investment and the commercialisation of advanced renewable solutions and technologies.

Australian participating organisations are also eligible for $55,000 grant funding to support the adaptation of research and technologies to respond to Indian manufacturing challenges.

What’s in it for your organisation?

• access to the expertise of India’s largest renewable manufacturers, a high growth market needing advanced solutions
• opportunities to apply Australian expertise to real industry problems, increasing chances of translation and impact
• faster pathways to market for Australian clean tech innovations, supported by Indian scale and demand access to the Indian market, one of the world’s largest renewable manufacturing and energy markets, enabling global commercialisation opportunities
• grant funding for Australian organisations up to $55,000 to support collaboration and project development, lowering the burden of international engagement
• deepened introductions and networking with major Indian manufacturers, which can lead to recurring R&D, commercial arrangements and supply chain diversification
• insights from India’s fast growing clean energy market inform Australia’s innovation strategy and whole of government priorities
• introduction to a pipeline of opportunities for Australian organisations for funding and development.

Training and industry engagement

Throughout the program, Australian participating organisations benefit from access to targeted capability‑building training, including specialised Indian market literacy resources, and meaningful engagement with Indian renewable energy manufacturers, industry bodies and government agencies.

From facilitated collaboration meetings to in‑person site visits during India Week, and hands‑on exposure to real industry challenges, the TCC program deepens market understanding, strengthens cross‑cultural collaboration skills, and enhances capability to translate research into commercial pathways.

TCC helps participating organisations to align with real market‑driven R&D needs, form early agreements, prepare joint funding proposals, and advance toward pilot testing - creating faster, clearer pathways to commercialise Australian technologies in India’s growing clean‑energy sectors.

Grant funding

Participating Australian Research Organisations and technology companies receive a grant of $55,000 to fund collaboration and project activities with India under this program. This grant supports technology development and collaboration with an Indian partner, covering researcher salaries, consumables, travel and other related costs, so your team can focus on building strong commercialisation relationships and opportunities.

What to expect throughout the program

Starting from June 2026, TCC 2.0 will progress in three key phases:

1. Identification
   • You will work with the Program Facilitators to understand the specified R&D challenges being raised by emerging and established Indian renewables manufacturers, so you can assess fit and where you can add the most value.
   • You will be matched with Indian manufacturers whose needs align with your research strengths or technology solutions, establishing a clear starting point for collaboration.
2. Engagement
   • You will be supported to collaborate towards developing R&D and commercialisation-led solution(s), through capability-building training and coaching throughout the engagement.
   • Our Program Facilitators will schedule and facilitate introductions to support you to find the right fit.
   • If opportunities to collaborate are identified, we work with you to adapt your research and technologies with your Indian manufacturing partner. At this point, Australian organisations will be invited to apply for the grant opportunity.
3. Collaboration
   • If your grant application is successful, the grant funding will support the delivery of your Challenge Activities, including travel.
   • You will enter a mutually beneficial collaborative arrangement with your Indian manufacturing partner, with key project aims, activities and deliverables delivered over at least 9 months.
   • You will engage with your Indian manufacturing partner in India during an in-person week.

Outcomes from the TCC pilot round

The TCC pilot supported six partnerships between Australia research organisations and Indian manufacturers. Read more about the TCC 1.0 cohort.

Uniting research and manufacturing to boost solar reliability

Through the TCC pilot, Rayzon Solar and UNSW have commenced a collaborative research process, beginning with a joint lab and manufacturing‑line visit to define the project scope, deliverables, and timelines for studying and mitigating UV‑induced degradation in TOPCon cells.

This work is expected to produce more durable, higher‑performing solar modules and strengthen bilateral clean‑energy cooperation by combining UNSW’s research expertise, CSIRO’s facilitation, and Rayzon Solar’s manufacturing capabilities. Read their media release.

Deepening connections through in-country visits

As part of the TCC pilot, the ANU ESI Lab team travelled to India for a week and strengthened its collaboration with Thermax Limited through direct, in-person engagement, including a visit hosted by Thermax and meetings with key Thermax representatives.

The visit also helped progress cross-country collaboration by contributing to discussions and shaping practical workplans that set up the next stage of joint activity in areas including renewable energy, green hydrogen and technology commercialisation.

What participants are saying about TCC

“It has opened a pathway for our diversification with our international industry partners.”

Vikram Solar, ANU

“The program is strong in bringing together government, industry, and researchers, with direct face-to-face engagement at MNRE and the Australian High Commission. This is a major strength because it builds visibility, credibility, and cross-border relationship.”

h2e Power, RMIT

“Participation in this collaboration... has shifted our approach from relationship-building and research dissemination toward impact-driven, implementation-focused partnerships. The emphasis is now on scalable deployment, industry integration, and measurable sustainability outcomes, positioning internationalisation not just as global engagement, but as strategic collaboration that accelerates industrial decarbonisation and creates shared value for both countries.”

JSW Steel, UNSW