Innovation Connections

Key dates for Innovation Connections

• Release of Funding Rules: Continuous (last update March 2016)
• Proposals open: Continuous
• Applications due to UQ Research and Innovation (UQ R&I): Notify UQ R&I as soon as an application is created
• Applications close with Innovation Connections: Continuous
• Project Contract Execution: within 30 days of notification of grant offer
• Funding Agreement Execution: within 14 days of execution of the Project Contract
• UQ R&I information session: NA

Overview

The Innovation Connections scheme provides small and medium sized businesses with the opportunity to collaborate with the research sector in developing new ideas with commercial potential. Support includes up to $50,000 in matched funding to work on collaborative projects for up to 12 months.

How to apply

Step 1: Request a facilitator

• The business submits a request for an Innovation Connections facilitation report through the Australian Government's Innovation Connections website.
• A facilitator will work with the business to provide a report on opportunities for potential projects. If the business accepts the facilitator’s report, they can then apply for an Innovation Connections grant.
• Familiarise yourself with the key documentation from Innovation Connections and UQ.

Step 2: Completing the application

• The business creates an application through the scheme website.
• There are reduced indirect cost rates that apply to this program, as per the scheme guidelines.
• Due to the short timeframe for contract and agreement executions, the Innovation Connections Program requires the project contract be fully drafted prior to application submission (noting there is a 100% success rate of applications that pass facilitation). 
• The Round Coordinator and your Research Partnership Manager (RPM) will assist with contract drafting.

Step 3: UQ R&I internal review and feedback

• In advance of internal review, ensure all online components are complete and that grants-manager@research.uq.edu.au is added as an Application Collaborator on the application. This will allow UQ R&I to review your application online.   

• To initiate internal review, email your completed Funding Application Coversheet (DOTX, 68.5 KB) and UQ Costing and Pricing Tool to industrygrants@research.uq.edu.au.

Step 4: Final submission

The application is submitted by an authorised representative of the business after UQ R&I approval has been provided.

Readership and researcher support

Key documents

Innovation Connections

• Understand and fund a business's research needs
• Innovation Connections Key Documents

• UQ

• Partnering in Innovation Connections 2020 (PDF, 881 KB)