Australia’s national science agency, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), is calling on startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to drive innovation in digital health and medical technologies to apply for its upcoming Innovate to Grow programme. 

The free 10-week online programme is specifically designed to assist Australian SMEs operating in critical sectors advance their innovative technologies, solutions and ideas through research and development (R&D).   

Programme participants will collaborate with a mentor from CSIRO or a university to address technical and business challenges, while exploring R&D opportunities, gain insight into partnering with research organisations and craft compelling R&D funding applications. 

“To date, Innovate to Grow has equipped over 500 businesses with the knowledge and tools to advance their ideas, with many programme alumni initiating R&D projects with research organisations like CSIRO within 12 months of completing the programme”, Liz Crompton, SME Connect Programme Advisor said.  

Participants may also be eligible for dollar-matched R&D funding through the CSIRO Kick-Start programme.  

The programme commences 14 March 2024 and is available for a limited number of SMEs working across the following sub-sectors:  Digital health- Therapeutics and care; Health system analytics; Biomedical informatics and data modelling; and Medical technology- Diagnostics, biosensors, and biomedical devices; Drug discovery; Vaccines and biologic therapeutics.