Australian startups and small businesses will be targeted with up to $1.1 million in grants to develop creative solutions to government policy challenges, as part of the Coalition Government’s plan for a stronger economy.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews launched the second funding round of the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) today, calling on Australian businesses to submit their ideas.

The Coalition Government’s plan for a stronger economy has already helped create over 1.25 million jobs since 2013. Our target to help create a further 1.25 million over the next five years will be driven by programs like these that drive our industries to create economic growth.

The grant round asks businesses to solve five public policy challenges - from providing improved services to domestic violence victims, to detecting hitchhiking pests on shipping containers.

“We recognise that government doesn’t always have the solution to policy issues. Australian businesses are able to think beyond the confines of bureaucracies and develop products and processes in response to a specific need. This also benefits businesses as it gives them experience in working closely with government agencies as their customers,” Minister Andrews said. 

“Increasing options for government agencies to purchase tailored solutions to specific policy or service delivery challenges also means better services for Australians, and better value for taxpayers.

“This program has already delivered boosts for local small businesses, with some of the bright ideas developed being purchased by government.”

The five challenges for this round are:

• Fast and secure digital identity verification for people experiencing family and domestic violence
• Intelligent data to transform tourism service delivery
• Uplifting government capability to help deliver world-leading digital services
• Managing the biosecurity of hitchhiking pests and contaminants on shipping containers
• Automating complex determinations for Australian Government information

Under a two-step process, businesses can submit proposals for ideas that address the challenges. Successful applicants will receive grants of up to $100,000 to develop ideas and test feasibility over three months.

The most successful ideas may then be eligible for a further grant of up to $1 million to develop a prototype or proof of concept over the following 18 months.

As well as addressing issues in priority areas for the Morrison Government, like safety for women and children experiencing domestic violence, providing technological solutions to further boost our major industries will help to create more local jobs and grow Australia’s economy.

Grant applications close on 17 April 2019. For more information visit www.business.gov.au/BRII or call 13 28 46.

Media Contact: Minister Andrews' Office 02 6277 7070