Clean Technology Innovation (CTI) Grant

Funding program archive

This page preserves a dated funding-program record and links it to current project-planning guidance.

Publication date: 2 June 2026.

Status note: This archive does not confirm that applications are open, funds remain available or the earlier eligibility and co-funding settings still apply. Verify the current administrator page and guidelines.

What this article reported

Clean Technology Innovation (CTI) Grant - Up to $5 Million for NSW Clean Technology Commercialisation

The Clean Technology Innovation (CTI) Grant provides between $500,000 and $5 million to help NSW businesses and organisations pilot, demonstrate and commercialise lab-proven clean technologies. As part of the NSW Government's Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative, the program supports innovative projects that have the potential to significantly reduce emissions while accelerating commercial readiness and industry adoption.

If your business is developing innovative clean technology and is ready to move beyond the laboratory into real-world demonstration, this grant could provide significant funding to support your next stage of growth.

Funding Available

Who is this for?

State: New South Wales (NSW)

Industry Sector: Clean Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Circular Economy, Climate Technology, Research & Commercialisation

The grant is designed for organisations looking to commercialise innovative low-emissions technologies that have already been proven in laboratory environments and are ready for pilot or demonstration activities.

Eligibility

You can apply if you:

What can the grant be used for?

Eligible projects may include activities that advance clean technologies towards commercialisation, including:

Many of these activities align with services Northmore Gordon regularly supports through grant applications, including commercialisation projects, engineering development, feasibility studies, pilot facilities and innovation-led manufacturing investments.

What won't be funded?

Funding is generally not available for:

Why this grant matters

Commercialising clean technology is often one of the biggest challenges facing innovative Australian businesses. The Clean Technology Innovation (CTI) Grant helps bridge the gap between successful laboratory research and commercial deployment by supporting businesses to demonstrate technical performance, validate commercial viability and attract future investment.

Projects that can demonstrate strong emissions reduction potential, commercial scalability and industry impact are expected to be highly competitive.

Need help applying?

Preparing a competitive application for a major commercialisation grant requires a clear project strategy, detailed financial information and compelling evidence of technical and commercial viability.

Northmore Gordon has extensive experience preparing successful grant applications for innovation, manufacturing and commercialisation projects. We can help you assess your eligibility, develop a competitive application and maximise your chances of securing funding.

Contact Northmore Gordon today to discuss your Clean Technology Innovation (CTI) Grant application before submissions close.

How to use this information now

Before relying on a grant, confirm the current round, applicant and project eligibility, eligible expenditure, co-contribution, assessment process, closing date and evidence obligations. Build the technical case so the project remains understandable with grant support shown separately.

Separate source-reported facts from forecasts, targets and commentary. For a current project, retain the official source, version, effective date, assumptions and decision record in the evidence file.

What is the Clean Technology Innovation (CTI) Grant and how does it support NSW businesses?

The CTI Grant provides between $500,000 and $5 million to help NSW businesses and organisations pilot, demonstrate and commercialise lab-proven clean technologies. It is part of the NSW Government's Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative and targets technologies with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 6 and 9—meaning they have moved beyond laboratory research but need demonstration and commercial validation. The grant bridges the critical gap between successful research and market deployment, helping businesses prove technical performance, validate commercial viability and attract future investment. Projects with strong emissions reduction potential, commercial scalability and industry impact are expected to be highly competitive.

Who is eligible to apply for the CTI Grant and what are the key requirements?

Applicants must hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) and be an eligible Australian incorporated business, research organisation, government entity or commercialisation body. Key requirements include: owning or having rights to the required intellectual property; providing a minimum 1:1 cash co-contribution; proposing a project located in NSW; seeking between $500,000 and $5 million; completing the project within three years; demonstrating a technology with TRL between 6 and 9; and having a Commercial Readiness Index (CRI) below 4. Applicants must also meet all legal, financial and insurance requirements outlined in the program guidelines. We can assist in assessing your organisation's eligibility and preparing competitive applications.

What activities and investments does the CTI Grant fund?

Eligible activities include technology development, prototype development, product verification and validation, demonstration and pilot projects, Front End Engineering Design (FEED), technical feasibility studies, and construction of dedicated testing infrastructure. The grant generally does not fund business-as-usual operations, marketing and sales activities, land purchases, existing salaries unrelated to the project, commercial manufacturing of already proven technologies, early-stage research below TRL 6, or projects requiring ongoing NSW Government funding. We can help clarify which project components qualify as eligible expenditure and structure your application to maximise competitive potential.

How does the co-contribution requirement work and what are its implications?

A minimum 1:1 cash co-contribution is required from applicants, meaning for every dollar of CTI Grant funding sought, you must contribute at least one dollar of your own funds. This requirement demonstrates organisational commitment and reduces government risk. For a $2 million grant request, you would need to commit at least $2 million in cash co-contribution, making the total project budget $4 million. The co-contribution can come from your own resources, corporate partners or other funding sources, but must be in cash rather than in-kind contributions. Understanding funding compatibility is essential—the decision guide on assessing grants, certificates and finance separately can help structure your overall funding strategy and investment case.

What Technology Readiness Level (TRL) means the CTI Grant is right for my project?

The CTI Grant targets technologies with TRL between 6 and 9. TRL 6 represents 'technology demonstrated in relevant environment,' while TRL 9 represents 'actual technology proven in operational environment.' This range means your technology has moved beyond laboratory research and prototype development but still requires demonstration, pilot-scale testing or commercialisation validation before full market deployment. Projects below TRL 6 are considered early-stage research and ineligible. If your technology is still in laboratory phases, other funding pathways may be more appropriate. We can help assess your technology's readiness level and identify suitable funding mechanisms aligned with your project stage.

When are applications open and what should I prepare before applying?

Applications opened on 2 June 2026 and close on 8 September 2026 at 12:00 pm. To prepare a competitive application, document your project's business problem, site location, technology description, proposed activities, timeline, cost estimates and expected outcomes. Assemble evidence of intellectual property ownership or rights, details of co-contribution sources and partners, environmental or emissions benefits, and commercial scalability. Prepare a project brief describing your decision, technology stage, available evidence and the specific funding outcome needed. Our grant specialists, including Grant Raja with over 30 years in energy markets and government funding programs, can assist you in assessing eligibility, developing your investment case and preparing a competitive application aligned with program priorities.

How does Northmore Gordon assist with CTI Grant applications and strategy?

Grant Raja, Senior Business Development Manager and Principal Consultant at Northmore Gordon, specialises in energy market strategy, government funding programs and decarbonisation initiatives. He brings over 30 years of experience in energy markets and carbon management to help clients assess CTI Grant eligibility, develop competitive applications and align projects with program priorities. We can help you document technology readiness, structure your investment case, identify eligible activities and co-contribution sources, verify emissions reduction potential, and demonstrate commercial scalability and industry impact. His expertise in energy efficiency, renewable energy and carbon management is particularly valuable for clean technology projects seeking to prove technical performance and commercial viability.

How should I structure an investment case for a CTI Grant application?

An effective investment case should state the business problem, operational requirements and why the technology matters now. Use the same operating assumptions, analysis period and cost treatment when comparing alternatives. Separate eligible expenditure (development, validation, pilot infrastructure) from ineligible costs (existing salaries, marketing, land purchase). Document technology readiness evidence, baseline or reference conditions, expected outcomes and how they will be verified. Show projected abatement, commercial benefits and scalability separately from speculative pricing. Prepare the case both with and without the grant to demonstrate project merit regardless of funding. A robust investment case makes your application competitive and shows management understands the decision and its dependencies on successful technology demonstration.

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