METS Support

During 2021, MRIWA supported 16 small to medium businesses in the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector to enhance their innovation credentials and contribute to the Net Zero Emission Mining Challenge, through sponsorship of CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow Program.

Applications for this program are now closed. For information on current funding opportunities, contact the MRIWA Research Portfolio Managers.

What is Innovate to Grow?

Innovate to Grow is an engaging virtual learning program helping small-medium enterprises (SMEs) develop actionable business insights and strategies for leveraging research and development (R&D) to meet specific business needs.

The Program is delivered by CSIRO in partnership with ed-tech company, Practera.

Participants learnt about the latest science and technologies under development in CSIRO and other research entities to tackle net zero emission challenges in the mining sector.

SMEs were also exposed to R&D and industry knowledge, innovation experts and mentors to help develop their own solutions.

Participation was sought from businesses investigating the Challenge’s priority themes and related outcomes:

• Data Driven Decisions
• Mining and Processing Technology
• Energy Utilisation

What was involved?

The program kicked off with a half-day virtual workshop and participants completed 1-2 hours per week of self-paced learning over 10 weeks.

By the end of the program, participants developed an actionable research funding proposal related to the MRIWA Net Zero Emission Mining Challenge.

To further support organisations participating in Innovate to Grow, on completion of the program MRIWA offered eligible participants the opportunity to apply for grants between $20,000 to $50,000 each, to co-fund the research needed to develop their solutions.

These small-scale grants required matched funding and were subject to a separate application and assessment process.

Applications are now closed. For information, the grant guidelines and frequently asked questions applicable to this targeted funding opportunity are available for download from this page.

Participants were also able to use research ideas developed through the program to apply for other sources of funding.

Download previous program information (now closed)