When you invest in NSW, you tap into Australia’s largest, most diverse and dynamic economy. You also have access to the vibrant cities, towns and precincts of regional NSW that are the starting point for innovation, businesses, people and ideas.
Regional NSW boasts a highly skilled workforce and is a recognised leader in economic and export sectors including advanced manufacturing, agri-food, defence, clean energy, medical technology and knowledge services.
Regional Investment Activation Fund – grant funding opportunity
The NSW Government has designed the $110 million Regional Investment Activation Fund to unlock private sector investment through two targeted funding streams.
Stream 1 is now closed. Stream 2 is open for applications.
This grant funding aims to:
- Drive increased productivity, innovation and business competitiveness in regional NSW
- Activate new industries
- Promote industry cluster developments
- Deliver new and sustainable employment opportunities.
This grant is administered by the Department of Regional NSW.
Stream One is an open, competitive grants program with a two-stage application and assessment process (Expression of Interest followed by Detailed Application). Eligible applications will be assessed on their comparative merits against the nominated eligibility and assessment criteria.
Stream Two is an open, non-competitive grants program where applicants can contact the Department to apply for funding. Applications will be assessed individually, without reference to the comparative merits of other applications. Stream Two aims to provide increased flexibility to secure investments that are time-sensitive and strategically significant for a priority industry or location.
Key Dates
Stream One:
- Expressions of Interest open: Wednesday 5 October 2022
- Expressions of Interest close: 5.00pm (AEDT) Monday 14 November 2022.
Stream Two:
- Expressions of Interest open: Wednesday 5 October 2022
Note: Applications received from 16 December 2022 - 8 January 2023 will be processed after 9 January 2023, due to the departmental shut down period. - Expressions of Interest close: When program funding has been fully allocated or 31 December 2024, whichever occurs first.
Resources
The following resources and tools are available to support applicants with their submissions. Detailed information about eligibility, funding categories and how to apply can be found in the grant guidelines for each stream.
Online Industry Briefing
An online industry briefing was held on Tuesday 11 October to provide an overview of the Regional Investment Activation Fund grant funding, eligibility requirements and application process for both streams, and to answer questions from potential applicants.
A video recording of the online industry briefing is at: https://youtu.be/FrwiATUS_60.
Support
Staff from the Department of Regional NSW are available to provide information and support for Regional Investment Activation Fund applicants, please contact us via:
Invest Regional NSW is a dedicated team that leads investment attraction, promotion and strategy work across regional NSW, for further investor support, visit Invest Regional NSW.
Applicants should seek advice from their legal, business and financial advisers to determine the suitability of the funding before applying.