The Government today announced details of the long awaited Clean Technology Investment Program. The CITP will provide $1 billion in funding for manufacturers to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution and also help manufacturers buy new plant and equipment which cuts their energy costs or reduces carbon pollution.

Eligible manufacturers can apply for funding under the programs from today.

The latest round of Inspiring Australia : Unlocking Australia's Potential grant will provide $5 million available across three categories for projects to be delivered between 2012 and 2014. It is intended to fund a collection of projects that provide a good mix of activities with a variety of approaches, audiences, locations and topics.  This grant will provide money to museums, universities, industry, local government, community and other organisations for activities that increase knowledge of science, and the benefits that science brings to everyday life in the community. Priority will be given to areas not previously funded by the Inspiring Australia initiative.

The round is open for applications from 16 January to 29 February (4pm AEDST) 2012.

The 15th Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) funding round for 2012 will focus on clean manufacturing, social innovation and sustainable regional communities which are seen to represent significant challenges for our nation and are vital to our economic and social prosperity.

The Government announced the introduction of the Industry Transformation Research Program today.  This new $249 million package is designed to help Australian industries become more competitive and create new job opportunities by providing 1000 cadetships, research training centres and research hubs.

Eligible companies will be able to apply for $164 million in competitiveness assistance advances under the Australian Government's Steel Transformation Plan (STP) from today, despite the best efforts of the Coalition to block this assistance.  The Steel Transformation Plan comes into effect following Royal Assent to the Clean Energy Bills and the Steel Transformation Plan Bill.

Up to $100 million will be invested in new, innovative companies as part of the Australian Government's Innovation Investment Fund (IIF).   The final tranche of IIF Round three of $100 million will lead to $200 million of venture capital for early-stage which reduces the financial risk to larger venture capital funds with the capacity to make significant longer-term investments.

From today Australian entrepreneurs will not have to repay Early Stage Commercialisation grants for businesses developing a new product, process, or service. Additionally, the annual turnover limit for applicants will rise from $20 million to $50 million and access to skilled managers now have the option to apply for an Experienced Executives grant of up to $350,000 - previously $200,000.

The successful applicants of this year’s CRC selection round were announced today.  Only 6 applications were successful from the 26 applications received. The agricultural sector, automotive industry and urban water managers were among the communities who will benefit from the recent decision.

The Australian Government's small business website www.business.gov.au. has finally been upgraded to make it more user friendly. Business owners can now search for government funding and support more easily following changes to the Grants & Assistance Finder Tool which provides improved access to government grants and assistance. The search tool lists more than 600 grants but does not provide advice on how to successfully claim each grant.  That still a lucky dip unless you use a professional grants consultant like Pattens.  Contact grants@pattens.com

The Collaborative Solutions Program [Round 2] is seeking applications for projects on the development of mobile technologies to improve government services.  Projects that accelerate development of new-to-market and significantly innovative mobile solutions that have significant potential for commercial success, job creation and exports are invited. Applications opened on 17 November and close 29 February 2012.