CSIRO is offering a 10-week online program to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the critical minerals industry, aiming to enhance innovation accessibility for Australian businesses.
The free online program — Innovate to Grow — is designed to equip SMEs with valuable business insights and strategic plans to leverage research and development (R&D) for their business needs.
Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub Manager Lucy O’Connor, who sponsors the initiative, highlighted the importance of SMEs in driving innovation and enhancing the diversity and resilience of critical minerals supply chains.
O’Connor emphasised the role of strategic collaboration in scaling up and commercialising critical minerals projects to address technical challenges and drive sustainable growth and innovation in the sector.
The program, which is tailored for companies embarking on early-stage R&D or exploring new ideas in the critical minerals sector, provides access to expert facilitators and experienced researchers.
Participants will have the opportunity to examine their technical or business challenges, explore R&D opportunities, and develop actionable R&D business and funding plans.
O’Connor explained that participants will engage with self-paced materials, researchers, and industry experts to advance their project ideas and discuss collaboration opportunities with R&D leaders at CSIRO, other science agencies, and universities.
She also highlighted the networking benefits, as participants will connect with peers, sector-specific mentors, and CSIRO, ANSTO, and Geoscience Australia, which collectively have the largest mineral resources R&D capability globally.
API Management Principal Scientist Dr. Alan Ooi shared his positive experience with the program, stating that it expanded their knowledge of engaging with research organisations and prepared them for partnering with CSIRO or other universities.
He emphasised CSIRO’s pivotal role in their research and development goals, recommending the program to other industry companies seeking direction for their business opportunities.
The program, sponsored by the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub, a collaboration between CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, and ANSTO, is open for applications until April 14, 2024.
Interested SMEs can learn more and apply for the Innovate to Grow: Critical Minerals program on CSIRO’s website.
