Australia’s manufacturing-linked agrifood and agtech sectors are set to benefit from new research and development support, with CSIRO inviting Western Australian SMEs to apply for its Innovate to Grow program aimed at strengthening manufacturing innovation capability across early-stage businesses.
Applications are now open for the free eight-week online program, delivered by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO in partnership with the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), to help agrifood and agtech SMEs develop research and development (R&D) plans and assess the commercial and technical potential of manufacturing-focused ideas.
CSIRO Innovate to Grow Program Manager Michelle Armistead said the initiative is designed to support businesses at a critical stage of development.
“Many agrifood and agtech businesses have an idea they believe in but aren’t sure whether it’s worth pursuing through research and development – or where to even begin,” Armistead said.
“Innovate to Grow is designed for exactly that moment, giving businesses a structured process to test and refine their concept, develop a practical R&D plan and connect with the right expertise.”
DPIRD Manager Investment Services Tamatha Newsome said the program supports broader state priorities. “DPIRD is excited to work with CSIRO once again to support Innovate to Grow WA, a program now in its fourth year, that is providing great opportunities for WA based SMEs to progress from a concept to a viable research project,” Newsome said.
Sofia Katzin of WA agrifood company Flymumma Pty Ltd, who participated in 2025, said the program helped build confidence in developing her manufacturing-adjacent waste management solution.
“The program gave me a lot of confidence in my project. It was really good to understand the key elements in the innovation process, explore the funding landscape and meet other innovators along the way,” she said.
The program is open to SMEs working across sectors including meat and food manufacturing, agritech, AI, livestock, aquaculture, value-add products, packaging and transport, as well as waste optimisation, recycling, and circular economy and energy reduction solutions.
Applications close on 31 May 2026, with the program scheduled to commence later in the year.
