GO8123: Battery Breakthrough Initiative

The Battery Breakthrough Initiative (BBI) was announced as part of the Future Made in Australia (FMA) policy agenda of the Australian Government.

Central to the National Battery Strategy, the program has been designed in consultation with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) and a broad range of stakeholders.

Funding provided through BBI may include capital grants, production incentives or other payments deemed appropriate by ARENA for the project.

ARENA may take a portfolio approach to selecting Projects for funding, giving consideration to how a Project will contribute to the Program Outcomes either uniquely or as part of a suite of complementary ARENA activities.

BBI is an open, merit-based program which will remain open until funds are exhausted or otherwise terminated or extended by ARENA.

The program’s objective is to fund projects that contribute to one or more of the following program outcomes: Enhance Australia’s battery manufacturing capability to improve supply chain resilience and support emissions reduction Commercialise battery manufacturing processes and technologies that can contribute to emissions reduction.

Applicants should review the key documents before submitting an application for the program and are strongly encouraged to contact ARENA before submitting an application.

ARENA can provide guidance on the suitability of the Project against the Program Guidelines and Focus Areas.

The three BBI Focus Areas are: Active materials Battery Cell Manufacturing Battery Pack Assembly.

The Project must primarily take place in Australia, relate to or enable the manufacturing of Electrochemical Batteries with the relevant technology at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher, and meet any additional requirements in relevant Focus Areas or Funding Round Announcements.

Applicants must agree to enter a funding agreement to publicly share knowledge and information about the Project, warrant ownership/access/use of any IP necessary to carry out the Project, declare and take reasonable steps to identify, assess and address modern slavery risks (including describing steps in their Risk Management Plan), comply with Modern Slavery Act obligations where applicable, and make the required Modern Slavery declaration.

Applicants must not be named as organisations that have not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Cth) and must warrant compliance with Australian Sanctions Laws.

Applicants must disclose legal proceedings or investigations and must not be an organisation included on the National Redress Scheme list of institutions that have not joined or signified intent to join.