Cooperative Research Centres - Projects (CRC-P) - Research support

Key dates for Cooperative Research Centres - Projects (CRC-P) Round 19 (2026)

Proposals open: 18 March 2026
UQ Internal Notification of Interest due to UQ R&I: 14 April 2026
Applications due to UQ R&I: 14 April 2026
Applications close with DISR: 12 May 2026
Anticipated announcement: August 2026

Overview

CRC-P grants support short-term industry-led collaborations to develop important new technologies, products and services. The Department of Industry, Science and Resources calls for CRC-P applications twice per year with funding of up to $3 million per project over a maximum of 3 years.

Applications must be led by an industry entity, and involve university and other partners (including at least 1 SME partner).

Round 19 is open to all industry sectors with a focus on supporting projects in line with Government priorities including the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas and National Science & Research Priorities. Applications with a focus on artificial intelligence systems and technologies are particularly encouraged.

How to apply

Step 1: Form a collaboration eligible to apply for a CRC-P grant.

The group of participants submitting a CRC-P funding application must be led by an industry partner and aim to address an industry problem. The collaboration must at a minimum include:

the lead applicant which is an Australian industry entity SME (small or medium-sized enterprise with <200 employees)
a second Australian industry entity of any size; and
an Australian research organisation (i.e. UQ).

Any questions regarding an industry partner's eligibility should be directed to DISR

The CRC-P collaboration must at least match the amount of grant funding sought through cash and/or in-kind contributions. As part of the application, each organisation must endorse a Participant Declaration, signalling their agreement to participate in the project and their cash and in-kind contributions. While there is no minimum cash requirement, cash contributions (particularly from industry) will be viewed favourably.

To arrange the UQ Participant Declaration, please provide UQ R&I with a copy of the application form, the UQ Funding Application Certification, and the UQ Cash Commitments Proforma by email to grants@research.uq.edu.au by the Key Dates listed above.

Step 2: Completing the online EOI Form

Submit the completed Notification of Interest form by the Key Date listed above.
Complete the UQ Cash Commitment Proforma.

Step 3: Completing the application

The lead applicant (one of the industry partners) must have or create an account on the business.gov.au portal to complete the application form.
UQ participants should also discuss the related Intellectual Property issues with the relevant UQ Research Office Awards Team.

Step 4: UQ R&I internal review and feedback

For applications where UQ is the first-named university, UQ R&I offers a service to the applicant team by contributing advice and assistance on submissions.
To allow time for review of all applications and for the collaborating applicant team to consider the feedback provided, please submit review requests as early as possible and no later than the internal review date listed in the Key Dates above.
To initiate an internal review of the proposal and to arrange the UQ Participant Declaration, please email a PDF of the application form, UQ Funding Application Coversheet and Cash Commitment Proforma to UQ R&I at grants@research.uq.edu.au.

Step 5: Final submission

The application must be submitted by the lead industry partner through the business.gov.au portal. A copy of the final submitted proposal should be provided by the lead UQ researcher to UQ R&I.

Readership and researcher support

Before applying, we recommend you:

Familiarise yourself with the framework for Applying for Competitive Research Grants at UQ.
Contact your faculty or institute research manager for advice on peer readership programs.
Subscribe to the UQ R&I Mailer to stay up to date with round developments.
Access the UQ R&I Grants Library, a helpful resource of past successful proposals.
Read the UQ R&I Grant writing advice and strategy website for tips on preparing your application

Central Cash contribution for Round 19

Currently under consideration

Key documents

CRC-P

Before applying, please review the full suite of scheme documents, including the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, available from the DISR CRC-P website.

Artificial intelligence systems and technologies

The Government is seeking applications that develop or enhance AI systems and technologies, to help accelerate the development and commercialisation of AI by businesses and researchers across Australia. AI focused applications should support Action 2 of the National AI Plan (Back Australian AI Capability) in sectors such as:

healthcare
agriculture
resources and energy
advanced manufacturing.

Further details are available at The National AI Plan.

National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas

The NRF will diversify and transform Australia’s industry and economy through targeted investments in 7 priority areas.

Science and Research priorities

The Australian Government’s Science and Research Priorities identify areas of immediate and critical importance to the nation and our place in the world.

UQ

UQ Funding Application Certification (DOCX, 69.6 KB)
Cash Commitment Proforma (coming soon)

Cooperative Research Centres - Projects (CRC-P)