If you’re part of an Australian SME driving research-driven innovation, the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grant is a powerful opportunity to turn bold R&D into real-world commercial impact. But with each CRC-P grant application round attracting strong contenders, success requires more than a great idea — you need a strategic, well-prepared approach.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to prepare a winning CRC-P grant application, based on current government guidelines and insights from past applicants and assessors.
What Is a CRC-P Grant?
A CRC-P grant supports short-term, industry-led collaborations between SMEs, other businesses, and research organisations. Projects can run up to three years and must align with the Australian Government’s national priorities.
Grant funding ranges from $100,000 to $3 million, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs. The rest must be contributed by the project partners in cash and/or in-kind support.
Explore the official CRC-P grant guidelines on business.gov.au for full eligibility criteria, deadlines, and application details.
1. Identifying the Right Opportunity
Before starting your CRC-P grant application, ask yourself:
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Does your project deliver measurable outcomes in a government priority area?
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Are you part of a genuine collaboration, including an SME lead, a research organisation, and at least one other Australian business?
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Can you demonstrate commercial impact within 3 years?
Once the government announces the next CRC-P round’s theme, carefully assess how your project aligns. Strong alignment is critical to success.
2. Planning a Competitive CRC-P Grant Application
The CRC-P program uses a scoring matrix across four weighted criteria:
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Alignment with program objectives and government priorities
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Quality of research and methodology
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Capability and capacity to deliver
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Impact of grant funding on project outcomes
✅ Tips for a High-Quality Application:
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Start early – Give yourself 6–8 weeks to prepare and consult partners.
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Engage collaborators – Host workshops to define roles, IP arrangements, and budgets.
Pro Tip: Use a Project Planning Tool to Stay on Track
Applying for a CRC-P grant is a detailed, multi-phase process that can span several weeks. To keep your team aligned and deadlines in check, use a project planning software like Monday.com, or Notion. These tools make it easy to:
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Assign responsibilities across partners
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Track key milestones (e.g. finalising the research plan or securing partner declarations)
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Manage document versions and submission timelines
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Collaborate across teams in real time
Breaking down your CRC-P grant application into clear steps with timelines helps you stay organised and focused—and shows assessors that you’re serious about project delivery.
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Stick to the criteria – Use plain, direct language and make it easy for assessors to find key info.
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Back it up – Use data and evidence where possible to support claims of feasibility and impact.
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Secure declarations – All partners must sign a Partner Declaration Form before submission.
🔗 Download Partner Declaration Form from Business.gov.au
3. Make Your Budget Work for You
Your application’s budget section is just as important as your project summary. Effective use of cash and in-kind contributions signals project credibility and commitment.
Eligible Costs May Include:
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Salaries of research and technical staff (up to $200K/year per person)
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Equipment, facilities, and specialised software
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Intellectual property development and licensing
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Internships and workforce training
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Domestic travel (up to 10% of project costs)
🔗 Download the CRC-P Budget Spreadsheet Template
To help you prepare for your next CRC-P Round project application, you can use the official financial workbook provided by the Australian Government. This template is designed to guide you through accurately and efficiently budgeting your project.
Access the CRC-P Budget Spreadsheet Template here:
CRC-P Project Application Financial Workbook (Excel)
Budgeting Best Practices:
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Balance contributions – Heavy reliance on in-kind support may weaken your case.
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Justify expenses – Explain how each cost contributes to project outcomes.
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Avoid ineligible items – These include admin overheads, marketing, or unrelated purchases.
4. Standing Out From the Crowd
Even strong CRC-P grant applications can fall short without attention to detail and storytelling.
Ways to Stand Out:
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Demonstrate real collaboration – Partnerships should have shared goals and active roles.
- Build educational and training components – Include elements such as internships, research placements, industry-led workshops, conferences, community education programs, and STEM outreach initiatives.
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Highlight commercial outcomes – What will change for your industry, region, or community?
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Make it scannable – Use bullet points, subheadings, and direct language for assessors.
🔗 Try Hemingway Editor or Grammarly to simplify and tighten writing
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Link clearly to national priorities – Tailor your narrative to match current government focus areas.
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Keep it focused – 3 to 5 committed partners is ideal; too many can cause confusion.
Final Thoughts: Why Preparation Wins the Grant
The CRC-P grant application process is competitive — but also incredibly rewarding. Beyond the funding, it can unlock powerful partnerships, open doors to new markets, and push your R&D to commercialisation faster.
The next round of CRC-P is expected later this year — now is the time to prepare.
Ready to Boost Your CRC-P Grant Success?
At Allied Legal, we help Australian startups and SMEs prepare strong CRC-P grant applications, from sourcing partners to writing compelling submissions and developing strategic budgets.
Also, don’t forget to check out our essential guide on securing grants and unlocking business funding for even more tips and tricks: How to Secure Grants: Your Essential Guide to Unlocking Business Funding
👉 Book a free consultation today to get your CRC-P strategy in motion.
Let’s help turn your innovation into industry impact.
