Project Development Stream expedites funding for the technical and commercial viability studies of a project or product to make informed decisions before progressing with technology trials. An applicant can seek funding of up to $250,000.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: $250,000
- Application opened: 26 February 2024
- Application closed: 3 May 2024, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The purpose of these Grants is to accelerate the commercialisation of lab-proven climate technologies that have potential to significantly reduce emissions in NSW and are aligned to the priority areas as identified in the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s Decarbonisation Innovation Study. The key objectives are to:
- Repeatedly test the technical and commercial feasibility, viability and or compliance of an innovative technology or product.
- Accelerate and expand the research, development and commercialisation of low emissions technologies that show potential for becoming scalable, replicable and cost-effective.
- Create an ecosystem that can develop the capability to drive repeated clean technology innovation.
- Attract world-class clean technology companies and innovations to domestic markets and convert NSW into a clean technology superpower.
This program is funded and administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for funding, you must meet all the requirements outlined in Section 4 of the Project Development Stream (PDS) funding guidelines and Section 2 of Clean Technology Innovation (CTI) supplementary guidance.
Who the grant is targeted towards
- Universities
- Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs)
- Start-ups/Entrepreneurs
- Researchers
- Innovators
Types of projects funded under this grant
To be eligible for funding, projects must:
- be based in NSW
- be applying for funding up to $250,000
- be expected to be complete within 12 months of commencement
- have a lab proven technology or technological readiness level (TRL) of between 5-9 that is at a clear go/no-go decision point which requires a technical, feasibility or equivalent study to be undertaken
- have a commercial readiness index (CRI) of less than 4
- align to a Decarbonisation Opportunity Cluster as outlined in the Office of Chief Scientist and Engineer’s 2023 update to the Decarbonisation Innovation Study
- have a minimum cash contribution of at least 50 per cent of the total proposed project cost from non-NSW Government sources (for example, applicant, collaborators, private or other public organisations).
What costs you can apply for
Eligible costs may only be incurred once both parties have signed a funding agreement. This may include costs that:
- are directly related to undertaking of the project
- are incurred by you within the project duration except for audit costs
- are a direct cost of the project and not be provided for the benefit or profit of related bodies
- meet the conditions set out in the guidelines, guidance documents and the funding agreement.
Who can’t apply
Ineligible applicants include:
- Australian or NSW Government agencies, state owned corporations or statutory authorities
- local government authorities or their section 355 committees
- organisations that do not have an ABN and are unable to obtain an ABN to enter a funding agreement.
- unincorporated associations
- other unincorporated organisations
- an individual (including sole traders)
- insolvent businesses.
What costs you can't apply for
The following costs are ineligible for funding:
- expenditure on the acquisition of land for a project
- repayment of existing debts or budget deficits
- expenditure that does not directly support the successful completion of the project
- administrative, operational and maintenance costs not related to the project
- items that can be reasonably be considered as business-as-usual operational costs
- salaries for positions that have already been accounted for in organisational budgets
- business-as-usual staff costs unrelated to the project, such as redundancy or retirement benefits, workers compensation payments, professional fees or memberships
- activities carried out or committed to before a grant is offered and accepted
- costs relating solely to marketing, advertising or product promotion, including education and information campaigns
- legal costs associated with a consortium, disputes or funding arrangements not agreed to as part of the funding agreement
- infrastructure and equipment that can be reasonably be assumed to be integral for the core business, such as laptops.
Example projects
Example 1: Company A has a lab proven technology and wants to further understand the technical and commercial viability of their product in NSW.
Company A will conduct a feasibility study to assess both the technical and commercial viability of their product. The study will provide them with crucial information and analysis to determine if the product is feasible and has potential for success in the market. The feasibility study will help Company A decide whether to proceed to the next stage of development, modify their project scope, or potentially explore alternative options. The outcome of the feasibility study will help Company A in making informed decisions regarding the future of their product.
Example 2: Company B is interested in accelerating the development of their product by undertaking F.E.E.D (Front End Engineering Design) and conducting design validation.
Company B will conduct a FEED study to assess the technical and practical feasibility of their detailed engineering design, 3D drawings, and design validation plans. The study will provide them with valuable insights, analysis, and assessments to determine if their proposed approach is viable and can lead to successful product development.
What co-contributions are required
Applicant must have a minimum cash contribution of at least 50 per cent of the total proposed project cost from non-NSW Government sources (for example, applicant, collaborators, private or other public organisations).
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Please complete all mandatory sections of the form along with supporting documents requested as outlined in the form.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Assessment Committee/DCCEEW delegated officer
Eligibility Assessment:
- The program team will assess all applications against the Eligibility Criteria.
- All eligible projects will be recommended to the Assessment Committee
- Ineligible applications will not be considered for further assessment
Merit Assessment:
- An Assessment Committee will assess eligible applications against the listed Merit Criteria
Due Diligence:
- The program team will undertake the further due diligence activities through external providers:
- Risk assessment
- Financial and background checks
- Any other due diligence based on the nature of the project or technology
Decision Making:
- The Assessment Committee will be convened to review the outcomes of the assessment process and determine whether each application should be recommended.
- These recommendations will be provided to the relevant senior executives.
- Final approval to progress will require the executive to approve the project, funding amounts and any terms and conditions of the grant.
- The decision is not subject to review or appeals process
Notification of Assessment Outcome:
- The Program team will notify successful applicants and invite them to enter a funding agreement.
- Successful applicants will be requested to keep the outcome confidential for a period, if an announcement is likely to be made by the NSW Government.
Support and contact
Frequently asked questions and other resources to assist with applications may be found on our website. Department staff are available to assist with any questions during the application process. Please note that the Department is not able to assist applicants with the preparation of their application. The Department’s relevant project team can be contacted by emailing netzeroinnovation@environment.nsw.gov.au. The Department will use its best endeavours to respond to all emailed questions within 3 business days.