Business Essentials: Tips on Applying for Government Grants

Government grants can accelerate a company’s objective, bring an idea to life, increase market share and help to grow your team of employees. Knowing where and how to start can be difficult and overwhelming when on the grant-seeking path. While navigating the complex world of government grants is no easy feat, Weld Australia has compiled a list of tips to help members submit successful applications.

Determine What It Is You Need Funding For The first step in the government grant application process is to understand what items, projects or aspects of your business require funding. A successful government grant can assist an organisation in many ways, from commercialising a new product, expanding into export markets, to funding additional roles for apprentices.

Regardless of the purpose for which you intend to use the funding, it is crucial that you have a clear vision for how and where the funds will be used, and what benefits it will create in the short, medium and long-term. Grants are rarely approved for general organisational operating costs.

Confirm that Grant Funding is Right for You Before you start writing your grant application, confirm that a government grant is the right type of funding for your organisation. There are other funding sources available. These may include philanthropic organisations, volunteers, in-kind contributions or local business support. You may wish to seek these other forms of funding instead. Alternatively, you may find that local councils, members of parliament, or a different government department has a grant program that is more aligned with your objectives.

Read the Grant Guidelines—Then Read Them Again Before you start writing your grant application, invest some time into reading the grant guidelines and the eligibility criteria. This will ensure that you don’t write half a grant application before realising that you don’t meet all the eligibility criteria. If you are unsure about any of the eligibility criteria, clarify the specific details with the funding body directly. Here are a few items to take notice of when reading grant guidelines:

• You have the right organisational status • Your project or program meets the funding body’s priorities for that round. Priorities can can change from one round to the next, so don’t assume that just because your project was eligible last time, it will be eligible again. • You are based in the right geographic area • That you have the correct partners (if required).

Some grants require a collaborative relationship between two organisations, or research bodies. • That you can deliver the project or program within the specified timeframe • Whether there is a co-contribution required (either cash or in-kind) by the applicant. Some grants require an equal contribution by the applicant, so be sure you have the funds to cover this.

Once you have determined that your company is eligible for the grant, it is time to map out the finer details. Take some time to check the application closing date, and confirm what evidence or documentation is required.

Write Your Application Writing a grant application may initially seem challenging, but if you’ve undertaken the appropriate research and planning, it should be somewhat easier. A successful grant application addresses the key selection criteria. This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your organisation’s capacity to deliver services and products that respond to issues and require funding support. Be sure to include evidence, the benefits, and performance of the business against the key selection criteria.

There are some fundamental questions that you should address and define when completing your grant application, including:

• Who will the project target? • Who will benefit from the funding? • What will the project funding achieve? • When will the project take place? • Where will the project run? • How will the project be run? • Why is it important? • How will the project match the aims of the grant program?

You should also include a detailed description of the project or scheme, for which you are seeking funding. Explain how the project will be undertaken, and include a timeline with key deliverables, a detailed budget, and how the success of the project will be measured.

Be sure that you answer every question with confidence, detail and evidence. It is equally important that you do not go overboard with jargon or industry-specific terminology and acronyms.

Submit Once you have put in the effort to research and write your grant application, it is time to submit. Take the time to read through the application, checking for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure it is approved by the relevant manager within your organisation. It is always a good idea to have more than one person review the document. Keep in mind that if you are unsuccessful, you may be able to contact the funding body for specific feedback on why you weren’t successful. This feedback can be valuable when it comes to applying for another grant. Federal Government Grants These are just some of the Federal Government grants currently available. Every state government also makes funds available.

Commercialisation Fund The Commercialisation Fund is designed to support projects that fall within the Government’s six National Manufacturing Priorities: Medical Products, Food and Beverage, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing, Recycling and Clean Energy, Defence, and Space. Commercialisation Fund grants will be between $100,000 and $1 million and must be matched by industry. Projects must include collaboration with a research partner and one industry partner. For information, visit: amgc.org.au.

Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant This grant provides funding for Australian businesses to build industrial capabilities that fit with Defence’s Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities. A grant of $70,000 to $1.4 million, for up to 70% of the cost of a project can be awarded for buying, leasing, constructing, installing or commissioning of capital equipment including specialist software to enhance cyber security; design, engineering and commissioning activities; and workforce training and accreditations. For information, visit: business.gov.au.

Accelerating Commercialisation Accelerating Commercialisation provides small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers with access to expert advice and funding to help get a novel product, process or service to market. It includes up to $500,000 of matched project funding for research commercialisation entities and eligible partners. For information, visit: business.gov.au.