Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has launched a free online course that will offer research and development (R&D) expertise and support for SMEs in the mining and mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sectors.
The 10-week Innovate to Grow Mining/METS program is open for eligible SMEs that are in the early stages of engaging in R&D or pursuing a new idea in the mining/METS space, with experienced researchers and innovation experts who will guide participants in handling technical or business challenges, exploring R&D opportunities, and developing actionable business and funding plans.
Upon completion of the program, participants may be able to access facilitation support, through CSIRO, to connect to research expertise nationally, and may be eligible for dollar-matched R&D funding.
Monika Szabo, SME Collaboration Manager for CSIRO, said the Innovate to Grow program was designed to help SMEs understand how to engage in R&D by showing them pathways to access funding, mentoring, and a highly connected network through research organisations and their own sector.
“The Innovate to Grow program is aimed at Australian companies with less than 200 employees, and currently is offered at no cost to participants,” Szabo said. “In doing so we hope to remove some of the barriers that smaller enterprises face when they have an idea they would like to pursue.
“At the completion of the program participants will have received assistance in defining their goals, developing a business case for R&D from a university or CSIRO, and even prepare a funding proposal,” Szabo added. “Their professional networks will also receive a boost as they will connect with peers in their cohort, sector-specific mentors, and with CSIRO, which has the largest mineral resources R&D capability in the world.”
CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Mining/METS program will accept up to 20-25 SME participants. Applications are open until 13 February and the program will commence on Monday 9 March.
