Applications now open for free online clean energy program from CSIRO and TRaCE

CSIRO, in partnership with Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE), has launched a free 10-week program to support small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the clean energy sector. This initiative, part of the ‘Innovate to Grow’ series, aims to help SMEs at the early stages of R&D or planning innovative clean energy solutions.

The free online program will provide Australian SMEs a supportive environment with expert facilitators, experienced researchers and self-paced deliverables to guide successful applicants through their technical or business challenges.

Since its inception in 2020, CSIRO's Innovate to Grow program has assisted over 600 SMEs in exploring research and development opportunities and developing actionable business and funding plans.

This year's program, developed in collaboration with TRaCE, focuses on clean energy and provides SMEs with access to expert facilitators, experienced researchers, and self-paced deliverables to navigate technical or business challenges.

The TRaCE initiative, supported by UNSW, the University of Newcastle, and the Commonwealth Government, seeks to accelerate the energy transition by partnering with industry, research, and education sectors.

Professor Emmanuel Mastio, Executive Director of TRaCE said SMEs, scaleups and startups are key to building sovereign supply chains on Australia’s path to a clean energy economy.

“We need to bring our universities into the fold and see a shift in our approach where SMEs and industry are provided greater support to commercialise their innovations and de-risk investment at speed," Professor Mastio said.

“At TRaCE, we are extremely focused on emissions reductions and our path to Net Zero. We jumped at the opportunity to extend our ecosystem of support through CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow program’s Clean Energy series.”

Fionna Millikan, Head of Business Development at Green Gravity, participated in last year’s Innovate to Grow: Energy program and found the experience beneficial.

"The program was very practical and hands-on. [Our facilitator] Tony was an excellent steward and mentor, provided valuable advice, and connected me with potential research partners," she said.

Innovate to Grow: Clean Energy is open to SMEs working in the following sub-sectors:

• Energy storage
• Electrification
• Energy modelling and integrated systems
• Carbon management
• Renewable energy
• Renewable heat
• Sustainable fuels
• Other

Applications close on 23 June 2024.

For more information and to apply for the Innovate to Grow: Clean Energy program, visit the CSIRO website here.