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Looking for a program for your SME?

Every day, we work to connect small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) to world-class research and development, whether within CSIRO or the Australian research ecosystem. Our SME Connect team help Australian start-ups, small and medium businesses uncover what’s possible through research and development; taking an idea from concept through to execution to drive business growth. We can connect you to the right research expertise for your business, as well as access to funding support, world-class facilities, training, and links to other CSIRO opportunities, networks and the Australian research sector.

Innovation Connections

Innovation Connections is a free one-on-one facilitated service to assist small and medium-sized-businesses in establishing research priorities, locating researchers and providing access to funding to fast-track R&D projects.

CSIRO Kick-Start

Designed specifically for start-ups and established small businesses, CSIRO Kick-Start offers dollar-matched funding of $10,000 to $50,000 for collaborative research projects.

Innovate to Grow

Innovate to Grow is a training and mentorship program for SMEs looking to explore research and development for their business. The next program focuses on advanced manufacturing and opens 25 July 2022.

STEM+ Business

The SIEF Ross Metcalf STEM+ Business Fellowship program builds deeper connections between researchers and SMEs, accelerates the adoption of new ideas and technology, and helps SMEs grow into larger and more profitable organisations.

Lindfield Collaboration Hub

Lindfield Collaboration Hub is an innovation incubator. A dedicated space for start-ups and SME’s to develop unique, high-tech products and devices.

Generation STEM Links

Generation STEM Links provides high‑quality internships to help tertiary students gain workplace skills and transition into STEM jobs after graduation. It also aims to build a pool of STEM-capable professionals for the future of NSW STEM industries through its partnerships.

Funding finder

SME Connect Funding Finder for businesses to have a starting point for programs and funding that might help them grow.

How can we assist your business?

SME Connect offers five programs, three that have matched-funding grants for projects and placements for SME businesses of all sizes.

We help SMEs by:

  • streamlining the connection and collaboration process between SMEs and research organisations
  • providing assistance at all stages of the collaboration process from start to finish.
  • defining the business problem to be solved, and/or identifying the research opportunity
  • locating the right research capability to meet those needs
  • facilitating the project scoping and design
  • accessing and applying for grant funding
  • assisting with project agreements and contracting.
CSIRO offers five programs for small to medium businesses

SME Connect programs

Our offers and eligibility.

View the SME Connect program matrix

SMEs key to driving growth in Australia

In Australia, SMEs are by far the largest employer. Through research and development we give them the support and encouragement they need to grow and innovate, and contribute even more to the economy. When it comes to SMEs, strengthening collaboration between industry and the research sector is a key to longevity and success.

Read the article

SME enablers and barriers to research


We wanted to find out what the enablers and barriers were for Australian SMEs so we commissioned RMIT University researchers to undertake one of Australia’s largest ever surveys of SME leaders.

Take a look at the report

Meet the team

SME connect team

We work with SMEs to find the very best capabilities suited to their business, both locally and across Australia.

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Looking for a program for your SME?

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Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!

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