No future rounds of AEA will be funded.
AEA Innovate is supporting mid-stage research commercialisation by funding university-led projects to advance innovations from proof-of-concept into real-world application at scale.
Through competitive grants of up to $5 million over 24 months, Innovate is enabling researchers to collaborate with industry to develop and test prototypes, pilots and scalable solutions in industry-relevant environments.
What Innovate is funding
Innovate focuses on projects at the mid-commercialisation stage, specifically:
- Projects at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 5–7
- Projects demonstrating proof-of-scale
- Research with a clear pathway to commercialisation
Funding allows researchers to:
- Develop and test prototypes, pilots and new processes
- Validate solutions in conditions aligned with real-world industry environments
- Demonstrate feasibility, scalability and commercial readiness
- Strengthen industry partnerships and co-investment
Program outcomes
Across one funding round, Innovate is delivering national impact:
Round 1
- $93 million awarded
- 19 universities funded
- 39 research commercialisation projects supported
These projects span critical technologies and contribute to Australia’s innovation and economic priorities. Read more about Australian Government backs bold ideas to solve real-world challenges.
The list of successful AEA and other research commercialisation projects can be found on the Funded Projects page.