Australian Renewable Energy Agency

Key dates for Australian Renewable Energy Agency

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), on behalf of the Australian Government has announced $50 million for two funding rounds targeting research and development (R&D) for renewable hydrogen and low emissions iron and steel.

Funding for successful research and development projects will be provided over two phases, with an initial laboratory-based research phase followed by a commercialisation phase aimed at scaling up and demonstrating research breakthroughs.

Hydrogen Research and Development Funding Round

• The Hydrogen Research and Development (R&D) Funding Round seeks to support the commercialisation of renewable hydrogen through innovative R&D in renewable hydrogen production, storage and distribution technologies.
• The Hydrogen Research and Development Round includes funding for two streams: one focused on improving and optimising the production of renewable hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives such as ammonia, and another investigating storage and distribution solutions.

Applications due to UQ Research Office by Thursday 25th May, 2023.

Expressions of Interest close with ARENA Thursday 1st June, 2023.
Check the ARENA website for further details.

Iron and Steel Research and Development Funding Round

• The Iron and Steel Research and Development (R&D) Funding Round seeks to support the transition to low emissions iron and steel through innovative R&D in low emissions iron and steel technologies using Australian iron ore.
• The low emissions Iron and Steel Round offers funding for research that can significantly reduce emissions across the steel value chain in the near and long term.

Applications due to UQ Research Office by Thursday 25th May, 2023.

Expressions of Interest close with ARENA Thursday 1st June, 2023.
Check the ARENA website for further details.

Overview

ARENA funds projects that advance renewable energy technologies at all stages of the innovation chain, up to pre-commercial development. Research funding can be sought under a number of different programs, with announcements made throughout the year.

The Advancing Renewables Program supports a broad range of development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects that can deliver affordable and reliable renewable energy. This fund is continuously open to applications for all activities identified in the ARENA Investment Plan, except the identified competitive rounds.

How to apply

Step 1. ARENA registration and scheme reading

• The person submitting the Application - preferably the project leader - will need an active account in the ARENANet portal.
• Familiarise yourself with the key ARENA documentation.

Step 2. Completing the EOI

• Log into the ARENANET portal and complete the EOI.
• An attachment of up to four pages that describes technical aspects of the Project and any other important aspects of the Project that are not able to be addressed via the Application Form; including supporting justification for estimated performance against key metrics as outlined in Merit Criterion A as per the Funding Announcement.

Step 3. UQR&I internal review and feedback

• Complete your Funding Application Coversheet (2023 certification proforma) and Costing and Pricing Tool.
• To initiate the internal review, please send a pdf of the application form, any attached documents, the completed and signed Funding Application Coversheet and the Costing and Pricing tool to industrygrants@research.uq.edu.au

Step 4. Final Submission

• On receiving authorisation from UQR&I, submit your Application online in the ARENANet portal.

Please send any queries to the team at industrygrants@research.uq.edu.au

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