CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has announced an open call for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to apply for its Innovate to Grow program.
The eight-week online initiative aims to provide selected businesses with free access to research and development (R&D) experts, industry mentors, and self-paced learning modules.
This support will help SMEs transform early-stage ideas into actionable research plans and funding roadmaps, the agency said in a news release.
Since its launch in 2020, the program has assisted over 650 SMEs across Australia, according to Michelle Armistead, Program Manager for Innovate to Grow. “Australian SMEs are at the frontier of our digital and AI opportunity,” said Armistead.
“Whether you’re training large-language models, deploying robotics on a factory floor, or hardening cyber-defences, the pace of innovation is relentless. Our role is to connect founders with the science, data, and people they need to turn good ideas into investable R&D projects.”
Among the businesses benefiting from the program is Lurra Systems, a Melbourne-based start-up specialising in global navigation satellite system positioning and geospatial solutions.
Founder and CEO Luis Elneser completed the Innovate to Grow program in 2023. Reflecting on his experience, Elneser said, “The concepts and structure are well-suited for many SMEs, and I would recommend the program to colleagues.”
The Innovate to Grow program is now inviting applications from SMEs working in several key subsectors, including AI, digital manufacturing, quantum computing, cybersecurity, robotics, and autonomous systems.
SMEs involved in AI subfields such as computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and large language models are also encouraged to apply.
Applications for the current round close on 1 June 2025.
More information on how to apply and additional programs available for SMEs can be found on the CSIRO website.
