The Albanese Government is securing international supply chains for the critical minerals needed to build renewable energy networks and to support the defence industry.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King has opened applications for a $40 million international partnerships program to build end-to-end critical minerals supply chains. 

Applications for the grants can include:

• Pilot and demonstration plants, capacity expansions, and research and development activities; 
• Development or commercialisation of technology and intellectual property;
• Critical minerals processing technologies; and 
• Development of downstream processing capability.

The minimum grant amount will be $2 million and the maximum grant amount will be $20 million. 

Minister King said the four-year grant program would strengthen Australia’s international engagement on critical minerals and support cooperation with global partners such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, the European Union and its member states.

“Secure supply chains for our critical minerals are essential if we want to build the windfarms, solar panels and batteries we need to reach net zero,” Minister King said. 

“These supply chains will also be essential in working with our allies and friends in developing technology needed by defence industry.

“These grants support our Critical Minerals Strategy, which will build Australia’s sovereign capability in critical minerals processing, diversify global supply chains and help Australia become a clean energy superpower.”

Critical minerals are crucial to low-emissions technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines, and are also important for modern defence and medical technologies.

More information on the grant guidelines and how to apply are available on the Department of Industry, Science and Resources grant connect web page.