Round 28 of the Australian Government’s CRC Grants program, kicking off in 2027, is set to make available around $50 million to support the creation of at least one Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) focused on driving AI commercialisation by local businesses and researchers.
The Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources supports medium- to long-term industry-led collaborations through CRCs, with CRC Grants providing funding for medium to long-term, industry-led research collaborations
Applications for the AI-focused CRC need to target priorities including building broad AI capability in Australia to develop core AI technologies that are application agnostic and can apply across multiple sectors.
They also need to apply AI technologies to solve real-world challenges faced by industry and the community in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, resources and energy, and advanced manufacturing.
Supporting Australian AI businesses to innovate, scale and compete on the global stage, including creating bespoke Australian AI models, as well as strengthening Australia’s AI research, development and commercialisation capabilities by building partnerships between businesses and research organisations, are also outlined as priorities.
Applicants must apply for CRC grants as a group of partners who have agreed to collaborate; CRCs must include among their project partners at least three Australian industry entities and two Australian research organisations.
The CRC Program funds CRCs for periods of between three and 10 years.
In addition to CRC grants, the government also administers CRC Projects (CRC-P) grants, supporting short term, industry-led collaborative research for up to three years
Round 19 of the CRC-P grants closed 12 May 2026 and included up to $20 million for projects that develop or enhance artificial intelligence systems and technologies, supporting the government’s AI Accelerator initiative.
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