Support for business research collaboration

TechVouchers are available to NSW-based small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and provide matched cash funding of up to $50,000 towards eligible costs. A total funding pool of $100,000 is available for this funding round.

Administered under the NSW Government's Boosting Business Innovation Program, TechVouchers aim to accelerate commercialisation by supporting collaborative partnerships between university researchers and NSW-based SMEs and foster collaborative industry research and development (R&D) projects that drive commercial outcomes. 

“The NSW TechVoucher program is a good opportunity to secure additional funding for an industry-led research and development collaboration with a NSW-based SME partner,” said Anita Marosszeky from the Business Research Engagement Team in the Research Office.

“If you have a project underway already with an eligible SME, or you are interested in developing a project for future funding rounds, get in touch with your Faculty Research Engagement Team or email us at research.engagement@uts.edu.au.”

The UTS Research Office manages submissions of Faculty approved UTS NSW TechVoucher proposals through an internal selection panel. 

To be considered by the panel, proposals need to be Faculty Approved through ResearchMaster and include the Industry Partner eligibility check and proposal by  31 July 2025.  

Find more information and templates at the UTS Tech Voucher SharePoint 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the NSW TechVoucher program, projects and their industry collaborators must meet the following criteria:

• The industry collaborator must be a NSW-based SME and hold rights to commercialise the technology or product developed through the project.
• The partner must clearly define the project’s intended commercialisation outcomes.
• Projects must commence upon execution and be completed within 12 months.
• The project must fit within the scope of the NSW Industry Development Framework.

For full eligibility criteria, see the Boosting-Business-Innovation-Program Guidelines

The NSW TechVoucher program is a good opportunity to secure additional funding for an industry-led research and development collaboration with a NSW-based SME partner

Australia’s Economic Accelerator

The Business Research Engagement Team is also taking Notices of Intent from research teams interested in applying for Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA), a 10-year initiative supported by the Australian Government's $1.6 billion investment into university research commercialisation.

AEA programs support nationally significant research and commercialisation projects through stage-gated funding, with two schemes available.

“The Ignite scheme provides up to $500,000 for projects at technology readiness levels (TRL) 3 to 5. UTS was successful with seven projects last year, so we did very well,” said Commercialisation Manager Dr Jude Amalraj. 

As this scheme is primarily for commercialising university research, the government needs to be convinced that you have a genuine industry engagement underway, and that your research is going to have an impact on Australian society as a whole and in the world.

“Even more interesting is the Innovate scheme that offers up to $5 million dollars for projects that are in TLR levels 5 to 7. UTS had a successful project for this in the last round.”

After first going through an internal UTS process via a notice of intent, applicants are required to put in an Expression of Interest to a government panel. Those that successfully progress through that first stage are then invited to put in a full application. 

“As this scheme is primarily for commercialising university research, the government needs to be convinced that you have a genuine industry engagement underway, and that your research is going to have an impact on Australian society as a whole and in the world,” Jude explained.

Applicants must demonstrate investment from their industry partners, either through financial or in-kind support.

The Business Research Engagement Team encourages interested research teams to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) through its Sharepoint.

Photography credit: Amy Cotton