Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has introduced a new research and development (R&D) grant initiative aimed at accelerating the domestic battery industry and expanding export opportunities, particularly in the United States.
The program offers successful mining and manufacturing small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) up to $50,000 per project, along with access to CSIRO’s research facilities and expertise.
The $400,000 initiative is expected to help companies enhance the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of graphite for Australia’s expanding battery sector.
CSIRO Principal Research Scientist Dr Adam Best highlighted the significance of graphite as a critical mineral in battery production, which powers a range of devices from smartphones to electric vehicles and residential energy storage systems.
“While Australia currently has limited export markets for the specialised type of graphite used in batteries, we are ideally positioned to become a key supplier to the US and other global markets given our significant natural endowment of this critical mineral,” Dr Best said.
The initiative comes amid ongoing disruptions to global supply chains and efforts by various nations to diversify their sources of critical minerals.
Dr Best noted that the grant opportunity could assist Australian businesses in developing innovative technologies and processes, strengthening the country’s position as a competitive graphite supplier.
Potential projects eligible for funding include the spheronisation, purification, and electrochemical testing of natural graphite, identifying new synthetic graphite sources, improving graphite recycling from spent batteries, and developing methods to enhance the material’s quality and performance in battery applications.
Companies may also access CSIRO’s characterisation facilities to analyse graphite resources.
Dr Best emphasised the program’s broader economic and strategic benefits, stating that strengthening domestic research and production would bolster sovereign capability, create jobs, and contribute to more resilient supply chains.
Applications for the program are currently open, with interested businesses encouraged to participate in a free webinar on 13 February 2025 for further information.
The graphite R&D grant initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s Batteries Research and Development Program, which aligns with the National Battery Strategy, Critical Minerals Strategy, and the Future Made in Australia agenda.
Click here for more details and to apply.
