Funding to develop technologies for the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries

Grant funding for joint Australia–Austria demonstration or pilot projects that develop innovative technologies, processes or solutions to decarbonise hard-to-abate, energy‑intensive industrial sectors.

Grants support industry‑led demonstration activities delivered in both Australia and Austria.

Projects must include at least one Austrian project partner; the Austrian partner must apply for a grant under the Austrian program.

Projects must have at least $600,000 in eligible project expenditure.

Grant funding is up to 25% of total eligible project expenditure.

Project activities must be undertaken in both Australia and Austria.

Projects must be directly linked to a physical demonstration or pilot test plant with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 5 and 8.

Projects must advance development and deployment of innovative technologies, processes or solutions required to support net zero emissions in specified energy‑intensive or hard‑to‑abate industrial sectors (ironmaking and steelmaking; chemicals manufacturing; production of lime and cement; alumina and aluminium production).

Projects must be industry‑led; the lead partner must be an industry organisation (only eligible entities may lead).

All mandatory attachments must be provided.

Applicants must identify an Austrian project partner that will or has applied for funding.

Cash contributions cannot come from other Commonwealth Government grants.

The transnational application (required by the EU) must be submitted in addition to national applications; applications under the joint call must be submitted in three parts (Australian, Austrian and transnational).

All partner organisations must be eligible for funding on their respective national level.

A legally valid international consortium agreement must be in place before the start of the project.

For successful projects, formal arrangements (for example an MOU) between parties must be in place prior to execution of the grant agreement.