CSIRO’s free program helps mining SMEs turn innovations into investment-ready propositions. Over 700 businesses have already participated nationwide.
What’s happening: Australia’s national science agency is offering small businesses free access to an eight-week program designed to turn critical mineral innovations into investment-ready propositions, with applications closing 21 September 2025.
Why this matters: As global supply chains undergo massive restructuring, Australia has a unique window to capitalise on its mineral wealth and research capabilities, but only businesses with the right R&D partnerships can compete in downstream processing.
Australia’s small and medium enterprises working in critical minerals now have an unprecedented opportunity to fast-track their innovations with backing from the nation’s top scientists.
CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Critical Minerals program, which opens for applications until 21 September 2025, offers SMEs free access to research expertise and industry knowledge that could transform their concepts into commercially viable propositions.
The virtual, self-paced program helps businesses investigate new research and development opportunities, refine their concepts and better position themselves for growth in Australia’s critical minerals sector.
Dr Chris Vernon, CSIRO critical minerals lead and Chair of the Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub Operations Group, says the timing couldn’t be more critical for Australian businesses.
“We’re at a unique moment where global supply chains are being rewritten and Australia is well placed to capitalise on this opportunity,” Dr Vernon said.
“The country has both the resource endowment and research capability to be a major player in downstream processing, but businesses need the right R&D partnerships to compete effectively.”
Free expertise unlocked
Since its inception, the program has helped more than 700 SMEs nationwide, connecting them with CSIRO’s research network and industry expertise.
The program targets businesses developing solutions across eight sub-sectors: discovery, hard rock mining, processing, sensing and sorting, characterisation, sustainable mining technologies, battery technology, and other innovations.
For Dr Ebbe Dommisse from Iondrive, who participated in the 2024 program, the experience exceeded expectations.
“CSIRO was outstanding in understanding the research field and requirements for development and commercialisation activities and I immediately made connections within CSIRO and other participants to assist with progressing the technology,” Dr Dommisse said.
“The specialist advice from topic experts was fantastic!”
The program is open to businesses based and operating in Australia with an ABN, classified as small to medium or startup with less than 200 employees. Australian subsidiary companies of foreign entities are not eligible.
Eight weeks of transformation
The program structure combines intensive learning with ongoing support, beginning with a compulsory half-day workshop on 16 October 2025.
Participants receive pre-workshop preparation materials requiring approximately three to four hours of study one week before the workshop begins.
The main workshop covers program concepts, industry trends, collaboration case studies through a panel discussion with SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D. Time commitment is approximately four hours.
Following the workshop, participants work through six weeks of self-paced online learning, supported by R&D coaches and experienced innovation facilitators. This phase requires approximately two to three hours per week and includes fortnightly webinars for networking and guest speakers.
The program culminates with a final survey at completion, with the entire journey designed to help participants develop and test their research idea and business case.
Personal R&D coaching
What sets the program apart is the level of personalised support each participant receives.
Every business receives a dedicated R&D coach paired with a researcher from CSIRO or a university to answer questions about working on R&D projects and help find sector experts for introductions.
All submissions through the program portal receive prompt expert feedback, with confidentiality maintained throughout the process.
The program delivers tangible outputs: participants identify strengths and weaknesses of their business idea, build their R&D project plan, develop project roadmaps and funding strategies, and create prioritised action lists.
“Innovate to Grow helps SMEs advance their critical mineral innovations toward investment-ready propositions by giving them the tools and connections to learn how to scale their solutions and capture real market value,” Dr Vernon said.
Global market positioning
Australia’s position in the global critical minerals landscape presents significant opportunities for SMEs who can navigate the R&D to commercialisation pathway effectively.
Critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, manganese and rare earths support sectors ranging from technology and defence to space and medicine. They are essential elements required to build technologies needed for the world to meet low emissions targets.
The program aligns with Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy 2023-2030, which aims to grow Australia’s critical minerals sector and expand downstream processing capabilities.
While Australia excels at extracting raw materials, the real economic value lies in processing and manufacturing – areas where innovative SMEs with proper R&D foundations could capture substantial market share.
Network building advantage
Beyond technical development, the program creates networking opportunities that often prove as valuable as the formal learning components.
Participants build key contacts in their sector, including researchers and other SMEs, creating collaboration possibilities that extend well beyond the eight-week timeframe.
The fortnightly webinars during the self-paced phase specifically focus on participant networking alongside guest speaker presentations, fostering connections that can lead to partnerships, investment opportunities, and market insights.
Applications closing soon
CSIRO awards places based on the strength of applications and demonstrated capacity to pursue research and development.
Selection criteria require businesses to be currently exploring R&D opportunities or in early stages of development with an innovation idea to work on throughout the course.
Strong alignment to program objectives and clear desire to investigate R&D projects are essential considerations for acceptance.
With applications closing on 21 September 2025, eligible SMEs have a limited window to access this free resource that could transform their business trajectory.
The program’s virtual format removes geographical barriers, allowing businesses across Australia to participate regardless of location, delivered using Practera’s online education technology platform.
For businesses operating in the critical minerals space, the program represents access to a network and expertise that could unlock partnerships, investment opportunities, and market insights essential for scaling innovative solutions in a rapidly evolving global market.
Applications for CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Critical Minerals program close on 21 September 2025. Contact InnovateToGrow@csiro.au for assistance and more information.
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