Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, has opened another Western Australian focused Innovate to Grow: Agrifood and Agtech program, following the success of the 2025 round.
Innovate to Grow guides businesses through developing and implementing R&D strategies and provides support from experienced researchers and industry mentors. CSIRO announced its first 2026 round in January, focusing on Farm and Food Technology, and also opened a Queensland-focused round in March.
CSIRO will support Western Australian agrifood and agtech small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to strengthen their innovation capability through a free program designed to help turn early-stage ideas into practical research and development (R&D) plans. This round is supported by the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
The free, eight-week online program helps SMEs develop an early-stage innovation idea. This program covers de-risking concepts, assessing commercial and technical potential, building a practical R&D plan, and connecting with the research expertise relevant to their business.
CSIRO Innovate to Grow program manager, Michelle Armistead, said the program is designed to meet businesses at a critical point in their innovation journey.
“Many agrifood and agtech businesses have an idea they believe in but aren't sure whether it's worth pursuing through research and development – or where to even begin,” said Armistead.
“Innovate to Grow is designed for exactly that moment, giving businesses a structured process to test and refine their concept, develop a practical R&D plan and connect with the right expertise.”
Since its inception, CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow program has supported more than 800 SMEs across Australia, helping businesses build capability, form research partnerships and progress ideas towards market-ready solutions.
DPIRD investment services manager, Tamatha Newsome, said the program aligns with Western Australia’s priorities to strengthen regional economies, support innovation-led growth and enhance the competitiveness of the state’s agrifood and agtech sectors.
“DPIRD is excited to work with CSIRO once again to support Innovate to Grow WA, a program now in its fourth year, that is providing great opportunities for Western Australia based SMEs to progress from a concept to a viable research project,” said Newsome.
Innovate to Grow: Agrifood and Agtech program is open to Western Australian SMEs developing or supplying solutions in the following sub-sectors:
- Meat and meat product manufacturing
- Agriculture and fishing support services
- Agritech and AI
- Food and beverage manufacturing, packaging, and transport
- Livestock and aquaculture
- Value-add products.
- Waste optimisation and recycling
- Energy reduction and circular economy
Applications for CSIRO's Innovate to Grow: Agrifood – WA program close on 31 May, and the program starts 25 June. For more information and to apply, head to csiro.au.
