The former government invested $41 million on two key programs announced in the 2020-21 Budget to progress its Regionalisation Agenda.
Securing Raw Materials Program (now closed)
The Securing Raw Materials Program ($35 million) provides up to $5 million of matched funding to support research and development activities associated with securing a reliable and commercially viable raw material supply for businesses that relocate or expand to regional Australia from a metropolitan area or expand from a different regional area. The program targets businesses that enter into research businesses partnerships with regional universities or other regionally-based research organisations. Applications for Round 2 have closed and successful projects have been announced. Further information is available on www.business.gov.au/srmp2.
Regional Cooperative Research Centre Project (now closed)
The Regional Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-P) ($6 million) provides grant funding to eligible businesses for industry-led collaborations to tackle issues in prominent regional industries.
Grant recipients are receiving matched funding of up to $3 million. Eligible research projects are based in regional Australia, with at least one collaborating entity that has relocated from a metropolitan area for the duration of the project. Based on the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources' CRC-P model, Regional CRC-P funding could be used to pay for research, salaries, student placements, commercialisation, or capital items. Further information is available in the Fact Sheet PDF: 517 KB and on www.business.gov.au/crc-p.
Rebuilding Regional Communities Program (now closed)
The Rebuilding Regional Communities Program is providing $5.7 million to assist communities in their recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects which may be funded include activities, events, programs and services, community infrastructure, building organisational capacity, and developing community resources.
The Rebuilding Regional Communities Program is providing grants in two streams to community organisations:
- the Micro Projects stream is for small grants of up to $10,000 for communities in regional Australia with fewer than 50,000 people to help sustain local organisations and their work; and
- the COVID Recovery stream is for grants of up to $50,000 for larger projects which will enhance the recovery of communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program is being delivered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal on behalf of the Australian Government. Further information on the program can be found here.
Last Updated: 2 August, 2022