ETCF FAQ

How much funding is available this grant round?

The Emerging Technology Commercialisation Fund (ETCF) will offer up to $7 million of grants through a competitive program designed to help NSW startups turn world-class research into market ready products, services and systems that create high value jobs and strengthen the state’s global competitiveness.

Applicants can apply only once per round – either Stream A (Physical Sciences) or Stream B (Biological Sciences).

How much funding can I apply for?

An applicant can apply for funding between $500,000 and $2 million (excl. GST).

What devices or systems are eligible for funding?

Please refer to the ETCF Program Guidelines.

Stream A (Physical Sciences) supports the development of new and innovative physical sciences devices and systems, while Stream B (Biological Sciences) supports innovation across the biological and life sciences, including biotechnology, biomanufacturing, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology.

The program focuses on innovations in the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3 to 7 -supporting companies as they progress from proof-of-concept toward demonstration in relevant environments and early commercial deployment.

For a grant activity to be eligible it must:

Be between TRL 3 and 7 (inclusive) on the TRL Scale at the time of applying for the ETCF (see Figure 1 of ETCF Guidelines).
Progress along the TRL Scale (see Figure 1), an existing physical prototype of a device, technology or product, or a proof-of-concept of a biological or life sciences innovation.
Be completed within two years (unless there are exceptional circumstances).
Not have received grant funding for the activities specified in the application.
Not be eligible for the Medical Devices Fund (MDF) funded by NSW Health.

Who is eligible to apply?

Please refer to the ETCF Program Guidelines.

To be eligible for the Program, applicants must:

Be one of the following:
- a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or
- an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth).
Be a for-profit entity
Not be listed on any public stock exchange
Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
Be headquartered in NSW
As of 1 January 2026, have more than 65% of their Full Time Equivalent Employees employed in NSW
Have revenue of less than $2.5 million per year (excluding grant funding) in the last financial year (FY2024/25)
Not be a subsidiary of another company
Own the IP or have an exclusive licence to commercialise the IP in Australia and globally.

How does the funding work?

Successful applicants who accept the offer of a grant will be required to enter into a formal Deed of Agreement with the NSW Government relating to the grant. The Deed of Agreement will specify obligations that relate primarily to the recipient’s accountability for the grant. The NSW Government makes no binding funding or support commitment to an applicant until the Deed of Agreement is executed.

The grant will be payable upon the execution of the Deed of Agreement.

Successful applicants will be required to provide financial information to an independent financial advisor who will undertake annual financial monitoring of the organisation. The grant must be repaid in instalments. Repayments will start in the financial year when the recipient’s total EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation), calculated from the time the grant was awarded, exceeds $500,000.

Do I have to repay the grant?

The grant must be repaid in instalments. Repayments will start in the financial year when the recipient’s total EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation), calculated from the time the grant was awarded, exceeds $500,000.

What Technology Readiness Level is the ETCF targeting?

The program focuses on innovations in the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3 to 7 - supporting companies as they progress from proof-of-concept toward demonstration in relevant environments and early commercial deployment.

See Appendix A of the ETCF Program Guidelines for more information on TRLs.

Apart from the ETCF, are there other programs I can apply for?

The NSW Government has various grant funding programs targeting different areas. Please see the NSW Grant Funding Finder for a list of grants: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding

Australian Government grants can be found here: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs

The NSW Office for Health and Medical Research also offer a range of grant funding programs: https://www.medicalresearch.nsw.gov.au/

I need help in developing my idea. Where can I go for support?

There are many accelerators, incubators and early-stage funds in NSW that may be available to you. Some of these include:

Can applicants who were unsuccessful in a round apply again the next year?

Yes. We strongly encourage you to seek feedback on your unsuccessful application to strengthen future submissions.

Can I receive other NSW or Australian Government grant funds and still apply to the ETCF?

Yes, but only if the project proposed for the ETCF differs in scope to the project that received the other grant fund. Projects with the same outputs and/or outcomes will not be deemed eligible.

Are pre-clinical trials an acceptable use of ETCF funding?

ETCF funding can be used for pre-clinical and clinical trials. Please note that the trials need to be for a project that is between TRL 3 - 7.

Can I use my university’s ABN to apply?

No. You need to be a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth).

Can I apply for both Stream A and Stream B?

An applicant can only submit one application each Round of the ETCF.

Who can I contact if I still have a question?

If you have questions regarding the ETCF, contact us through: grants@chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au