Minister's Message

Innovation remains high on the Government's agenda in 2010. Already we have provided support to reopen Australia's only automotive glass factory as part of our push to strengthen the car industry supply chain; announced $1.4 billion in grants for university research; and established a new Space Industry Innovation Council. We are working hard to transform Australian industry through innovation.

- Senator Kim Carr
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

Thinking of applying for an export grant this year? The $150.4 million Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) scheme wil be inviting applications again from 1 July this year. Get in early and start planning your application now. Check your eligibility, download fact sheets and keep a look out for EMDG coaching sessions in your area to help you get started.

The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program is holding information sessions in capital cities for interested stakeholders during February 2010 to promote the 13th Selection Round. The 13th Selection Round has two priority areas - Manufacturing Innovation and Social Innovation. Selection round applications must be lodged by Friday 2 July 2010, 5pm.

On 1 July 2010, the National Measurement Institute will take responsibility for trade measurement nationwide. This will make NMI responsible for the full spectrum of measurement, from the peak primary standards of measurement to measurements made at the domestic trade level. Trade measurement information sessions will be staged in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. Click here for a copy of the recently tabled National Trade Measurement Regulations.

More than 50,000 small businesses will benefit from $14 million in Australian Government funding, including $10 million from the Small Business Online program, to help go online or upgrade their internet presentation. Across the nation, 95 per cent of small businesses are connected to the internet, yet only 57 per cent have a website. Small Business Minister Craig Emerson and Tourism Minister Martin ferguson announced that grants ranging from $50,000 to $700,000 had been offered to 47 small business support groups including industry associations.

IP Australia's nationwide breakfast series - How to Make your Brand Great - will examine branding and intellectual property and assist you discover how to uncover the secrets of creating and protecting a leading brand. Events will be staged in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. Besides learning from a leading brand owner, attendees will receive access to a free consultation with an intellectual property professional upon request.

The Tax Office has a new monthly e-newsletter, SME Communicator, specifically for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) - businesses with an annual turnover of between $2 million and $250 million. The newsletter provides regular updates about important issues specific to SMEs on topics such as key tax and super issues, new initiatives and updated information on products and services. Click above or to receive future editions, email smecommunicator@ato.gov.au with 'Subscribe' in the subject line.

Your Business Success is giving away Volume 4 of its Your Business Success Program, Creating the Right Strategy. This volume outlines business planning, franchising, exporting and new inventions. The program, developed by the makers of the Channel 9 TV show Your Business Success, is in a self-paced format with DVDs and workbooks. Click here to enter the competition open only to AusIndustry e-bulletin readers.

Recent AusIndustry announcements and project highlights

A software solution for soil testing and a remote bulk storage beverage dispensing system are among 11 innovative new products developed with the assistance of Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) funding grants, totalling $774,400. With Commercialisation Australia - the Rudd Government's radical new $196 million support initiative for home-grown innovation - starting on 4 January this year, the COMET program is now closed to new applications. Researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative firms looking for assistance to commercialise their ideas should visit Commercialisation Australia or contact 13 22 56.

Grant applications are now invited for the Textile Clothing Footwear Small Business Program. Closing date is Friday 26 February 2010. A maximum of $50,000 is available for each successful project and up to $2.5 million is available for projects in 2010/11. AusIndustry will, in early February, host a series of national workshops to help applicants focus on what makes a competitive application. The workshops are recommended for applicants who have reviewed eligibility, have a specific project in mind and have started writing their application.

Jets Swimwear has received about $1 million in Australian Government funding from the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program and the TCF Post-2005 Strategic Investment Program to continually improve and innovate through design development and research. Since 2001, Jets has grown its premium swimwear brand both nationally and internationally.

Austchilli grows and supplies ingredients, including fresh produce and purees, for major supermarkets and multinational sauce, meal and beverage manufacturers around the world. They are registered for the Australian Government's R&D Tax Concession, meaning they can claim back 125 per cent of their relevant expenses when they lodge their company tax return. With three or four research projects running at once, that's a considerable concession.