Frequently asked questions

    How to apply

    Who can apply for an RICF grant?

    Eligible organisations can apply to the RICF (refer to “Eligibility—applicants” below)

    What is the closing date for applications?

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

    Can the application be revised after submission?

    No. However you must advise the department of any changes that are likely to affect your eligibility.

    Where can more information about the RICF 2023 priority focus areas be found?

    More information on the RICF 2023 priority focus areas below is outlined in the Queensland Government Queensland new-industry development strategy and the following supporting industry roadmap and action plans:

    Will an application for an RICF grant be considered if it does not address a Queensland Government Priority?

    and

    What is the definition of a ‘project’?

    The definition of the project for the purposes of the RICF 2023 application relate to the defined set of activities for the project period – these are made up of the deliverables and outputs proposed for each Milestone period and include infrastructure (procurement of kit) and salaries (experts to run said kit). These all relate to a set of activities designed to address a research infrastructure need relating to one of the investment priority areas.

    Do I need to submit a project plan?

    With regards to a project plan, applicants are not required to submit a separate project plan. If an applicant is successful, the project Activity will be built from the information fields (including Overview, Deliverables and Outputs) provided by the applicant in the application form and included in the grant agreement as a milestone table, we will run this past your organisation to confirm that it is still an accurate reflection of activities.

    Available funding

    How much funding is available per RICF grant?

    • The funding awarded to each successful applicant will depend on the overall quality and quantity of applications received.
    • Applicants will be able to apply for two categories of funding:
      • Category 1: New infrastructure – planned capabilities - Includes the acquisition of equipment and staffing for the creation of a new facility in Queensland with funding available from $500,000 (minimum) to $5 million (maximum) excluding GST over three financial years
      • Category 2: Existing infrastructure – existing capabilities - Includes acquisition of equipment and staffing for existing research facilities with funding available from $500,000 (minimum) to $3 million (maximum) excluding GST over three financial years.

    Can applicants apply for both Category 1 and Category 2 RICF funding?

    An existing Queensland facility by default should be applying into category 2 where is it upgrading equipment at an existing site/building – the facility may apply into category 1 ONLY if the facility is intending to establish a new site/building in Queensland, with a distinct new purpose. Facilities may submit more than one application, but they cannot be for the same project and must meet these funding Category terms.

    How many RICF projects will be supported?

    The number of projects awarded will depend on the overall quality and quantity of applications received.

    What are the RICF grant payment instalments?

    Payment of grants will be made based on agreed periodic project milestones. The proposed payment instalments are outlined on page 4 of the Grant Agreement template (PDF, 966.7KB) . A final milestone payment will be made upon the provision of documentary evidence that all project requirements have been satisfied, including evidence that total project expenditure has been incurred and project contributions have been made by all relevant parties, and may include the requirement of an audited financial report.

    Eligibility—applicants

    Which organisations can apply for RICF grants?

    • 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 and is, but not limited to:
      • universities
      • research institute (e.g. statutory authorities)
      • limited companies (applicant must partner with an existing university/research institute).

    Can an applicant that has submitted a RICF application participate in RICF projects submitted by other applicants?

    Whilst the applicant cannot submit more than one application for the same project, the applicant can be a partner with other RICF 2023 applications by other leads (on different projects).

    Eligibility—cash co-funding

    How much cash co-funding is required to be eligible for an RICF grant?

    The combined applicant and partner organisation cash funding must equal or exceed the Queensland Government RICF funding being sought with a 3:1 partner cash and in-kind contributions for the project with project related funds to be spent in Queensland.

    With the 3:1 partner cash and in-kind contributions for the project, is there a required breakdown/percentage of each?

    What this means is that for $1 requested from the RICF fund, the Applicant and its funding partners (including the Australian government, other universities, industry) must provide $3 cash AND in-kind. In previous rounds DES requested 2:1 match cash only, but this time the department is requesting 3:1 and allowing in-kind, acknowledging the increased challenge in the leverage request. There is no specified minimum/maximum proportion requirement of the cash/in-kind contributions. There is also no specified minimum/maximum proportion of funding that is required from any particular partner other than the 3:1 leverage.

    Can the applicant use the salaries of existing or new staff as part of the matched cash funding?

    Yes. Applicant’s salary contributions can be used as part of the matched cash funding if the salaries are for researchers or project staff who will be employed by the applicant and who will be assigned directly to the core business of the project.

    Can I use existing funds received from the Australian Government to apply for leveraged funding from RICF?

    As the department is not aware of all permutations of Australian Government funding that applicants have received, nor those funds terms and conditions, it is therefore up to applicants to check these terms themselves and then (if appropriate) demonstrate in the application how the Australian Government funds are contributing to the proposed RICF project.

    As outlined in the Guidelines, supporting documentation from co-investing organisation(s), e.g. Australian Government, should outline:

    • its commitment to and reasons for supporting the project
    • the likely benefits to be gained by participating in the project
    • the annual cash contributions they will make to the project.

    Use of grant funds

    • RICF funding must be used for project specific activities and fall within the following eligible cost categories:
      • salary costs for technical staff employed by the applicant for the purposes of the proposed project
      • purchasing or leasing costs of instrumentation or plant equipment that will be located in Queensland for the purposes of the proposed project
      • costs to obtain non-instrument-based capability such as fee-for-service researchers and/or technical staff for the purposes of the proposed project.
    • Only eligible expenditure incurred on or after the project commencement date (specified in the executed Grant Agreement) can be claimed by the successful applicant organisation.
    • It is expected that all RICF grant funding will be expended in Queensland. By exception, DES will consider expenditure outside Queensland if it is essential to ensure successful delivery of the project, and clear benefits will accrue to Queensland.

    Can RICF grant funding be used to pay for administrative support?

    No. You cannot use RICF funding for administrative support or institutional overheads, or for costs not directly applicable to the operation of the proposed RICF project.

    Conditions of the award

    What is a Grant Agreement?

    • The Grant Agreement template (PDF, 966.7KB) will form the basis of the Agreement the Queensland Government will enter into with the successful applicants.
    • The template outlines the conditions of the RICF award, including the payment schedule and the reporting requirements.
    • The Grant Agreement is comprised of the RICF Grant Agreement Terms and Conditions, the approved Project (based on the application submitted) including Deliverables and Outputs for each reporting period milestone.

    When can the RICF grant project commence?

    • If successful, the proposed project must commence within six months of being advised of funding approval
    • Provided a Grant Agreement has been executed, the first milestone payment will be for the execution of the Grant Agreement. Successful applicants must provide a valid bank account for the Department to deposit the first milestone payment into prior to 1 July 2024.

    What is the Project?

    • The Grant Agreement will include an approved Project and budget that describes the key deliverables, outputs and projected costs of the project for each calendar year of the grant period
    • The Project will be based on the application submitted, and applicants will be required to report on progress against the Project milestones for the term of the grant
    • The Project will be approved by the department when the department enters into a Grant Agreement for the project.

    What are the reporting requirements?

    The successful applicants will be required to provide:

    • progress reports through SmartyGrants which will be required on 31 January and 31 July each year covering:
      • the activities conducted including progress against milestones, deliverables and outputs,
      • overall project status,
      • financial acquittals containing details of:
        • Queensland Government funding received and expended
        • their cash contributions to the project
        • the cash contributions of all partners towards the project.
    • a final report on the project by 15 March 2026.

    Is there an obligation for the applicant to acknowledge the Queensland Government’s support?

    Yes. Following the announcement of the award the applicant must acknowledge Queensland Government funding in its annual report, any public statements and promotional materials relating to the project.

    The guidelines state that a Final Project Report will be required by 15 March 2026. Does this mean that the project would need to end prior to this Final Report or could the project extend beyond this point, e.g. to EOFY 31 June 2026?

    All RICF 2023 funds need to be expended by 30 June 2026, so a final report before then is required in order for DES to pay a final milestone before 30 June 2026.

    This does not mean the project has to end then. The applicant can continue the project without DES funding beyond 30 June 2026, and would no longer be required to provide progress reports under the terms of the Agreement.

    Announcing successful applications

    When will I be notified about the outcome of my application?

    The Department will endeavour to process applications within 10 weeks, noting this is subject to obtaining relevant approvals. It is anticipated that applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application from March 2024.

    When can RICF recipients openly discuss their awards?

    The RICF award must be kept confidential until it is announced by the Queensland Government. Applicants must not make any media statements or public announcements until this time but will be able to publicly discuss and promote their award after it has been announced by the Queensland Government.

    Will feedback be provided to unsuccessful applicants?

    Yes. Feedback will be provided to the applicant upon the applicant’s request.

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

    View further information about the 2023 round: