Applications now closed
Applications for the next 10-week defence program for businesses in NSW are now closed.
Register your interest if you would like to stay up to date with upcoming course opening dates.
Applications are now closed for the Innovate to Grow: NSW Defence Industry program, which commences on Tuesday 26 April.
This is a free 10-week program for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in NSW to investigate new R&D opportunities related to defence solutions.
The Innovate to Grow program is a self-paced and virtually-delivered program to boost innovation performance of SMEs in high priority sectors.
The course provides tools and information to help you better understand what’s involved with R&D and key things you need to consider at each step of the process. You’ll be able to apply this knowledge to advance your innovation journey.
You will also be exposed to industry knowledge, hear from innovation and industry experts and work with a sector or R&D mentor. Throughout the course, you will also work alongside other like-minded SMEs and build your networks.
Turn your R&D idea into a reality
This program is perfect for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) currently working in defence who are either:
- interested in understanding their research and development (R&D) opportunities
- are in the early decision-making stages about engaging in an R&D project with a research organisation but are not quite sure where to start.
As part of Innovate to Grow, you will be exposed to research and development opportunities, industry knowledge, and will hear from innovation and industry experts and work with a sector or R&D mentor. You will also work alongside other like-minded SMEs and build your networks.
Program detail
Participants will develop actionable business plans and strategies to assist with identified R&D needs through a structured, time-efficient development process.
The program is self-paced and is delivered in three phases.
Phase 1: Program preparation
- Participants will be provided with an on-boarding session, pre-workshop videos, materials and questionnaires to assist in preparing for the program.
- Time commitment is approximately two hours.
Phase 2 (Week 1): Half-day workshop
- 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 five hours.
Phase 3 (Week 2-10): Self-paced 60-day online program
- Participants will work through the online innovation program at their own pace, supported by CSIRO experts and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research ideas and business cases.
- Optional fortnightly webinars on topics such as how to write a funding proposal and expert insights into your industry.
- Final wrap-up session.
- Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.
Key program outcomes
High-quality outcomes: 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.
Mentor: You will be paired with a defence researcher to help connect you with the relevant specialists.
Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers at CSIRO and universities, domain experts, funding professionals and other SMEs.
Content outline
- Identifying your innovation opportunities.
- Refining your value proposition.
- Understanding the R&D viability.
- Helping you build your business case.
- Providing guidance on how to prepare a strong funding application.
Who can attend
This program is open to NSW SME participants working in defence from the subsectors listed below.
- Integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
- Enhanced human performance
- Medical countermeasures
- Advanced materials
- Advanced sensors or quantum technologies
- Autonomous systems
Selection criteria (essential):
- An Australian registered and operating business, based in NSW.
- A business classified as small to medium (less than 200 employees).
- A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business.
Other considerations:
- Currently working, or interested in expanding into the defence industry sector.
- Any other information provided to support your application.
- Have a clear need to develop your skills in R&D.
Please note: We often receive many more applications than the 25-30 places available. CSIRO awards places to businesses based on the strength of their application, and a clear interest and capacity to pursue research and development.
We also include participants from a variety of industry sub‑sectors and regions.
Download the flyer
- Innovate to Grow: NSW Defence Industry flyer PDF (205 KB)
- Innovate to Grow: NSW Defence Industry flyer TXT (4 KB)
What program participants are saying
“It's been a good program and I would recommend it to those that can create the time. The process and templates have been great in giving us some structure to approaching R&D and I feel this was most useful for us and would be so for others in our position."
— Jared Cunningham, Director, Ravin
"The perfect solution in the current times. Innovation can provide a path out of the current COVID induced slump and reposition Australia as a smart nation into the future. Nobody knows their product/markets and how to improve them like SME's, they just don't have the resources to develop them. This course taps that knowledge rich base and links with the resources."
— Hamish Shaw, GM Bellata Gold Milling
"I believe the program is a great way to distil and crystalize a specific project scope. Regardless of funding opportunities the ability to narrow down the scope of a potential project is extremely valuable."
— Chris Pistilli, Lead Consultant, Synergy Managed
"I found the program rewarding, enjoyable and thought provoking. It may not be a good fit for every organisation but for those looking to understand more about developing a process of innovation and learning how to engage with research institutes it was very useful."
— Julian Fay, Chief Technology Corporation, Senetas
CSIRO Innovate to Grow is delivered using Practera’s online ed-tech platform and facilitation services.
Innovate to Grow Defence is co-funded by Investment NSW.
Our Collaborators
