About the Research Infrastructure Coinvestment Fund Program

The Research Infrastructure Co-investment Fund (RICF) seeks to co-invest with universities, research facilities and industry to support existing or establish new Queensland research facilities of national significance.

The objectives of these investments are to support Queensland to:

  • maintain and grow its leading-edge science and innovation capabilities
  • optimise its world-class research infrastructure to support a thriving innovation ecosystem in Queensland that drives ideas through to commercialisation, adoption and diffusion.

Investment is targeted but not limited to projects within the priority focus areas outlined in the Queensland new-industry development strategy, with the addition of biomedical, natural capital markets and biodiversity.

The outcomes of the program are to:

  • Outcome 1: Increase partnerships between universities, research facilities and industry partners, enhancing Queensland science and innovation research capabilities
  • Outcome 2: Increase the collaborative acquisition and sharing of equipment and staff for major research facilities to provide efficiency gains in the provision of research services
  • Outcome 3: Increase leverage of Australian Government and other sources of funding.

Key points

  • Applications for the RICF 2023 round closed on 11 December 2023. It is anticipated that applicant organisations will be informed of the outcome of their applications from March 2024.
  • Applications were made using the department's online SmartyGrants portal.
  • Funding is available to support infrastructure, plant and equipment, and staffing costs under two categories for projects with a duration of up to three years with a matched contribution of 3:1 from the applicant and partner(s) organisations.
    • Category 1: New infrastructure – planned capabilities - includes the acquisition of equipment and staffing for the creation of new research facilities in Queensland with funding available from $500,000 (minimum) to $5,000,000 (maximum) excluding GST over three financial years
    • Category 2: Existing infrastructure – existing capabilities - includes the acquisition of equipment and staffing for existing research facilities with funding available from $500,000 (minimum) to $3,000,000 (maximum) excluding GST over three financial years.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this program, the applicant must, at the time of application:

  • be registered for GST and have an Australian Business Number
  • be an organisation that conducts or will conduct research in Queensland including, but not limited to:
    • universities
    • research institutes (e.g. statutory authorities)
    • limited companies (applicant must partner with an existing university/research institute).
  • be an organisation that has 3:1 partner cash and in-kind contributions for the project and intends to spend project related funds in Queensland.

Program guidelines

Further information about the RICF program including eligibility criteria and priority investment areas is available in the program guidelines.

How to apply

All applications were submitted using the online SmartyGrants portal.

It is important to have read the following key resources and Queensland Government strategies before submitting your application

Key resources

Queensland Government strategies and other relevant documents

Further information

For further information, please contact the department's RICF Coordinator

Email: grantsadministration@des.qld.gov.au

or

General Enquiries: (07) 3330 6360

Applications for the RICF 2023 round closed on 11 December 2023.

View further information about the 2023 round: