Innovators encouraged to pursue share of $1.5 billion manufacturing and clean energy fund
With applications remaining open through ARENA, businesses, manufacturers and researchers across NSW continue to have access to more than $1.5 billion in federal funding aimed at supporting green metals, renewable energy technology manufacturing and low carbon liquid fuels.
NSW businesses, researchers and project developers working on lower-emissions metal production technologies continue to have access to a share of $750 million in federal funding through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.
The funding is dedicated to with support available for projects spanning green metals, renewable energy technology manufacturing and low carbon liquid fuels.
Administered independently by ARENA, the fund was established to support the development, commercialisation and deployment of technologies that contribute to Australia's transition to lower-emissions industries.
Applications opened in 2025 but remain open, with the program expected to operate for approximately five years or until available funding is exhausted.
Three funding streams available
The largest allocation within the fund is up to $750 million for green metals projects involving iron, steel, alumina and aluminium production.
A further $500 million has been allocated to renewable energy technology manufacturing, supporting the development and production of technologies needed for the energy transition, including emerging manufacturing capability.
The remaining $250 million is dedicated to low carbon liquid fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel projects.
Together, the three funding streams are intended to support industries identified by the Australian Government as areas where Australia has the potential to build new manufacturing capability while reducing emissions.
Support available from studies through to commercial projects
The program has been structured to accommodate projects at different stages of maturity.
Under the Innovation Stream, funding is available for activities such as feasibility studies, Front-End Engineering and Design studies, prototypes and demonstration projects. The Deployment Stream is designed for larger projects seeking to move technologies closer to commercial operation.
ARENA has confirmed there is no minimum project size requirement and that feasibility studies and FEED studies are eligible for support.
Projects must align with one of the program's three focus areas and be undertaken primarily in Australia.
Building on broader manufacturing initiatives
The Innovation Fund forms part of a wider package of federal measures aimed at supporting Australian manufacturing and industrial development.
When announcing the green metals allocation within the fund, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “We want to see more Australian workers make more things here.”
Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic said support was needed to help move research and innovation into industrial applications.
“The work of our scientists and researchers can sharpen our competitive edge, but getting that work into our mills and smelters quickly is a challenge, and that’s where this investment comes in.”
Relevance across NSW
The ongoing availability of funding comes as NSW continues to expand renewable energy generation, transmission infrastructure, advanced manufacturing capability and low-emissions industrial projects.
The state's mix of established manufacturing centres, mineral processing operations, renewable energy developments, aviation infrastructure and research institutions means potential applicants may be eligible across all three funding streams, from green metals and renewable energy technologies through to sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel production.
For organisations developing new technologies or seeking to move projects beyond the feasibility stage, the fund remains one of the largest sources of grant support currently available through the Commonwealth for industrial decarbonisation and manufacturing innovation.
