How do I ask a question about the program or applying?
All questions should be submitted via the online enquiries form.How do I know my application has been received?
If your application has been successfully submitted via the online application form you will receive a receipt via email. The receipt will provide a unique application reference number for your application and summary of your application details for your records. The e-receipt will also confirm how many attachments you submitted.I don’t have an ABN can I apply for this program?
No. Only businesses registered and operating in Queensland that have an ABN and are registered for GST can apply.Can anyone apply?
Queensland-based small to medium sized businesses employing less than 200 employees may apply. Businesses must be registered and operating in Queensland, have an ABN and be registered for GST.Not for profit organisations are eligible to apply for this program as long as they are registered and operating in Queensland, have an ABN and are registered for GST.
Are all ideas eligible for this program?
As long as the idea is about increasing the productivity and competiveness of your business; or is a fresh approach to changing your business model, or delivering new or significantly improved products, processes or methods – it’s eligible. You must be able to implement the idea within 12 months.What types of activities are eligible for funding?
What types of activities are NOT eligible for funding?
Note: standard operating costs as detailed above are not eligible, however costs of this nature may be considered if it can be clearly demonstrated that they are essential for the implementation of the new idea.
What are the judges looking for?
The Judges will base their decision on:I can’t access the internet at my home or office, how can I apply?
If you do not have internet access at your home or office, your local library may be able to assist.
Can I send a hard copy application?
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. However, if you absolutely can not apply online, hard copy application forms are available by request via the online enquiry form, providing your postal or email address in the body of the message.
What should I submit to support my application?
In addition to the application form, you should also submit a proposal outlining further details of your idea, either in writing (limit 2000 words or 3 pages; must be compatible with Word 2003) or via 3 minute movie (only MOV, WMV, AVI formats will be accepted). Check out the guidelines for tips and information on how to apply.
How do I submit more than two attachments?
Only two attachments will be accepted per application. Applications submitted with more than two attachments can not be accepted by the assessment panel due to the high number of applications submitted to the program.
Can I attach larger files?
Your application may not be accepted if the attached files exceed the limits outlined in the guidelines. The guidelines provide a “level playing field” for all applicants. We recommend you keep your proposal concise and to the point as assessors will be evaluating a large number of applications.
Can I submit more than one application?
Yes. However, individual businesses will only be awarded one grant per round.
When will I find out if I have won funding?
Winners will be announced in December 2011.
How long will it take for winners to receive funding?
Winners will be required to enter into a financial incentive agreement with the Queensland Government prior to funding being released. This process may take up to six weeks.
What is the value of each grant?
Available program funding up to $50,000 (exclusive of GST) is to be awarded in Round 2.
What happens if the cost to implement my idea is less than $50,000?
The program allows for grants up to $50,000 (exclusive of GST) to be awarded for each successful idea.
What happens if the judging panel do not feel any submitted proposals are in a position to be funded?
The Queensland Government reserves the right to:- Not award any funding
- Award lesser individual amounts of funding
- Award less grants if the judging panel is not satisfied with the standard, quality and potential of ideas received. When these proposals are assessed against the judging criteria, fewer grants may be awarded.
Will my idea be made public or shared with others?
The content of all unsuccessful applications, whether written or in video format, will remain strictly commercial-in-confidence. Shortlisted and winning ideas may be promoted in a way which retains the commercial integrity of the project in the public domain.
Who will own the IP around my proposal?
You will. Neither the Australian Industry Group nor the Queensland Government will seek any rights to the IP of proposals submitted.
Can I make a late application?
No. The closing date for applications is strictly 12 September 2011.
Can I apply if I am not the owner or manager of the business?
Yes you can, however the application form must be signed by the owner or manager (CEO) of the business. A member of staff can be nominated to be the primary contact for the application.
Will you be asked to provide further information to support your application at any future stage?
Yes, you may be. Those businesses who are recommended for short-listing may be required to provide more detailed information about their business to allow necessary due diligence.
Can I still apply if my business has received government funding before?
This depends on the type of funding you have previously received and when. The application form asks you to identify any government funding received in the last five years relating to business development, R&D, innovation or training for this idea/proposal.
Do I need to be an Australian Industry Group member to be eligible?
No. Applications are open to all Queensland SMEs.
Which business or industry sectors are eligible to be considered?
Businesses across all sectors are eligible subject to them being a Queensland SME.
My business has over 200 employees – can I apply?
No. Only SMEs are eligible. This decision has been made as research shows that SMEs are less likely or less able to invest in innovation and R&D than larger businesses.
My business is located outside Queensland - can I apply?
No. Only businesses registered and operating in Queensland are eligible.
What does R & D mean?
R & D stands for research and development. Research and development is the creative work undertaken on a systematic basis to increase knowledge, and the use of this knowledge to devise new applications. The basic criterion for distinguishing research and development from related activities is the presence of an appreciable element of novelty and the resolution of scientific and/or technological uncertainty.1
1 Frascati Manual 2002: Proposed Standard Practice for Surveys on Research and Experimental Development, OECD, Paris, 2002
What is innovation?
For the purpose of this program, innovation in business is defined simply as achieving a positive outcome (preferably a commercial outcome) from a fresh idea.
It can be as simple as introducing a new process into your business which delivers significant cost savings, or as ambitious as being the first to market with a brand new product (which is still just an idea in your head). Your big idea may be somewhere in between.
It should impact on one or more of these areas within your business:
- • your product or service offerings
- • your production or delivery processes
- • your marketing methods (including product design or packaging, product placement, product promotion or pricing)
- • your business model, which includes your business practices, the way you organise your workplace and can even extend outside your business and have an impact across your suppliers or customers.
What is an SME?
An SME is a small to medium enterprise (business) with less than 200 employees.
