Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Wine Australia, and Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water proposed challenges for this round.
Challenges support the Australian Government’s net zero commitment and the National Reconstruction Fund priority area of renewables and low emission technologies.
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation awarded grants for their challenge ‘Increasing the energy efficiency of commercial fishing operations’. This included $88,720 to Stebercraft Pty Ltd for a project aiming to design a hybrid diesel-electric power and propulsion system for commercial fishing vessels.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water awarded grants for their challenge ‘Powering safe drinking water for Australian First Nations remote communities’. This included $100,000 to Tyerrtye Mape Kunye Kwatja Mwerre Anthurre to procure and install an off-grid water purification system to provide clean water for drinking and cooking purposes for Corkwood Bore Homeland.
Wine Australia awarded grants for their challenge ‘Alternative packaging for premium Australian wine’. This includes $74,700 to Margaret River Winery Pty Ltd to investigate the feasibility of using food-grade PLA biopolymer to create premium wine bottles that are recyclable and compostable.
Through BRII, startups and SMEs can apply for a competitive grant from $50,000–$100,000 to test the technical and commercial viability of a proposed solution.
Following this, government agencies have the opportunity to buy the solution. Grant recipients can also look for further commercial opportunities for their products.