Innovate to Grow: Advanced Manufacturing

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

"The course was extremely valuable and well-structured. It provided clear guidance on what is required to plan and execute an R&D focused innovation project. The step-by-step framework helped sharpen my thinking and build a solid foundation for progressing toward pilot deployment and funding. The modules were practical and thought provoking. They effectively guided participants from early-stage vision through to technology readiness planning, stakeholder engagement, and commercial model design."

- Damien Stein, Energy & Resources Technical Services

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.
• Time commitment is approximately 3 - 4 hours.

Program start: Workshop (start date 23 April 2026, approximately 3.5 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
• 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

• Personalised support to refine your idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.
• Coaching: You'll be paired with a researcher from CSIRO or a university who will be your R&D. They will answer your questions about working on an R&D project and help to connect you with an expert in the sector

• 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 working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of the following subsectors:

• Additive manufacturing
• Advanced materials and processes
• Composites
• Digital, robotics and automation
• Mechatronic design and precision engineering
• Quality, assurance and measurement
• Quantum technology
• Sensors and IoT

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Australia 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 an innovation idea to work on throughout the course.

Please note: Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible).

Other considerations:

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

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit FAQs for SMEs.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: Advanced manufacturing
• Innovate to Grow: Advanced manufacturing (accessible text)

CSIRO Innovate to Grow is delivered using Practera’s online ed-tech platform and facilitation services.

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

"The course was extremely valuable and well-structured. It provided clear guidance on what is required to plan and execute an R&D focused innovation project. The step-by-step framework helped sharpen my thinking and build a solid foundation for progressing toward pilot deployment and funding. The modules were practical and thought provoking. They effectively guided participants from early-stage vision through to technology readiness planning, stakeholder engagement, and commercial model design."

- Damien Stein, Energy & Resources Technical Services

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.
• Time commitment is approximately 3 - 4 hours.

Program start: Workshop (start date 23 April 2026, approximately 3.5 hours)

• The program's main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
• 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

• Personalised support to refine your idea: We'll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
• Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.
• Coaching: You'll be paired with a researcher from CSIRO or a university who will be your R&D. They will answer your questions about working on an R&D project and help to connect you with an expert in the sector

• 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 working on innovative technologies or solutions in any of the following subsectors:

• Additive manufacturing
• Advanced materials and processes
• Composites
• Digital, robotics and automation
• Mechatronic design and precision engineering
• Quality, assurance and measurement
• Quantum technology
• Sensors and IoT

Selection criteria (essential):

• A business based and operating in Australia 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 an innovation idea to work on throughout the course.

Please note: Businesses need to be registered and have their primary place of business within Australia (Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible).

Other considerations:

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

Please note

CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development. For further information please visit FAQs for SMEs.

Program flyer

• Innovate to Grow: Advanced manufacturing PDF (610 KB)
• Innovate to Grow: Advanced manufacturing (accessible text) TXT (4 KB)

CSIRO Innovate to Grow is delivered using Practera’s online ed-tech platform and facilitation services.

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