SMEs in battery and mining tech invited to join CSIRO’s virtual innovation course

Applications are now open for CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow: Critical Minerals program, a free online learning course designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in Australia’s critical minerals sector.

The course is aimed at SMEs developing new technologies or solutions in areas such as sustainable mining, processing, sensing and sorting, characterisation, battery technology, and discovery in hard rock mining. To be eligible, businesses must be based and operating in Australia with fewer than 200 employees and an innovation idea ready to explore through research and development.

Participants will learn how to:

• turn early ideas into research projects

• identify strengths and weaknesses in their concept

• build a roadmap for funding and project planning

• receive feedback and coaching from researchers and innovation experts

• connect with other SMEs and industry contacts

The eight-week program runs virtually and at participants’ own pace, with applications closing on 21 September 2025. It begins with a half-day workshop on 16 October 2025, followed by seven weeks of online learning supported by research coaches and expert facilitators.

The program structure includes:

• Preparation week: short readings and videos (3–4 hours)

• Workshop (16 October): a compulsory half-day session with CSIRO experts, industry SMEs and a panel discussion on trends and funding opportunities (4 hours)

• Weeks 2–8: self-paced activities (2–3 hours per week), supported by an R&D coach, guest webinars and peer networking, finishing with a survey.

The CSIRO awards places based on the strength of applications and the business’s commitment to exploring research and development. The program is delivered through Practera’s online education platform.

For more details, and to apply before the September deadline, go to the CSIRO website here.