Circular Economy Research and Development Fund: Materials – Information bulletin

Last updated: 1 August 2023
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Prior to 1 July 2022, this fund was named the Recycling Victoria Research and Development Fund: Materials.

This page will be updated regularly based on questions we receive.

Information session

We held an information session to present an overview of the fund and application criteria.

Recording

Below you will find the questions we have received from interested parties and our responses.

We have only listed questions and answers that are not addressed on in the program guidelines.

Co-contributions

Are there specific requirements on the amount or percentage of in-kind or financial (cash) contributions from either the Lead Applicant, Lead Industry Partner or any additional Industry Partners?

See section 10. Fund definitions in the guidelines:

Co-contribution definition: the applicant’s required cash or in-kind contribution to the total project income. Co-contributions can include both in-kind and financial (cash).

The Lead Industry Partner must contribute a minimum 20% to the project. There is no minimum requirement for a financial (cash) or in-kind contribution; this can be split as required between both in-kind and financial (cash).

The remaining 80% of the project costs can be split as required, between the Lead Applicant and/or Industry Partner(s). This means there is no minimum requirement for a financial (cash) or in-kind contribution, this can be split as required between both in-kind and financial (cash).

Note: You must identify and declare any funding from other government sources, for example Australian Research Council (ARC) or Cooperative Research Centre’s (CRC) used towards your co-contribution.

Eligibility

Do I need to be in operation for a minimum of 2 years?

For the Lead Applicant – yes, you need to have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years, as of the closing date of the Fund (19 April 2021). This is validated by the date that the organisation’s ABN is active from.

For Industry Partner (s) – there is no minimum requirement for the length of operation. Noting that all Industry Partners must have a current Australian Business Number (ABN).

Can the Industry Partner be a new start-up business?
Yes, there is no requirement for any minimum length of operation for Industry Partners. Noting that all Industry Partners must have a current Australian Business Number (ABN).

Lead Applicants and their Related Entities (if applicable) and their Lead Industry Partner should demonstrate financial capability to undertake the project.

As per section 5.3 Due diligence in the guidelines:

SV may conduct due diligence checks on the Industry Partner(s) involved in the delivery of the project. The applicant must ensure that any Industry Partner(s) agree to cooperate with this requirement and will provide information at SV’s request.

SV reserves the right not to award funding to applicants where the due diligence risk (including that of Industry Partner(s) is unsatisfactory or not able to be managed.

Is there a minimum volume of recycled material that assessors will be looking for to justify funding a grant? For example, does a proposal have to use at least 100,000 kg of tyres or 50,000 kg of glass?

No, as this fund is supporting research and development, the assessment criteria does not require projects to use a minimum tonnage of recycled materials.

However, in the application form you’ll find 2 questions that ask you to provide details on the potential market opportunity for your proposed product or process. The questions are in Section 3: Project details and are:

Q2. Describe why this research is needed, including what the potential market opportunity is and how it will support the following objectives of this Fund.
For example:
- improve confidence and investment in using recycled priority materials
- increase demand and uptake of products made from recycled priority materials.

Q4. What do you anticipate is the potential for recycled content use that this project can achieve? Please provide estimated figures. Based on the commercialisation steps and market uptake that you have outlined.

Submitting an application

Can SV provide feedback on my proposed research project?

No, as this is a competitive process we are unable to review a draft or provide feedback on the potential merit of a project.

We encourage applicants to consider and address how the project meets the eligibility criteria, and to describe how the project addresses the merit criteria outlined in the fund guidelines and application form.

Can I submit more than one grant application?

Yes, eligible organisations can submit multiple applications for different infrastructure projects. Please note eligible applications will be assessed using a contested process against the merit criteria in the fund guidelines. SV may also adjust application rankings based on the following factors to achieve diversity of:

  • lead applicant and size of the industry partner(s) (small to medium enterprise or large enterprise)
  • products and/or processes researched
  • recycled priority materials (i.e. glass, plastics, tyres and paper and cardboard) investigated.

Can I submit multiple applications for different research projects?

Yes, eligible organisations can submit multiple applications for different projects.

I’ve already applied for another SV grant (awaiting outcome) can I still apply for this Fund?

You can apply for multiple funding programs provided your project meets the specific eligibility and assessment criteria. Eligible applications will be assessed using a contested process against the merit criteria in the program’s guidelines.

Each program has different objectives, eligibility requirements and assessment criteria and your application should be specific to the program you are applying for. If you have submitted an application to another Sustainability Victoria funding program, you need to advise this in your application form. SV will not provide funding from more than one RV Fund for the same project.

What other support does SV have available?

You can read more about previously funded Research, Development and Demonstration projects and recipients and review some project case studies.

You can learn more about the type of products that are out in the marketplace by checking out the Buy Recycled Directory.

SV’s Investment Facilitation Service is a free service that can help you identify opportunities to progress your projects, including market intelligence, potential commercial partnerships, links across government agencies, regulatory requirements and both public and private funding avenues.

The service is complimentary and can be accessed at invest@sustainability.vic.gov.au or 03 8656 6721.

I have a specific question about a material type and want some market intelligence.

You can access Sustainability Victoria's Market Bulletin for market insights by materials stream in Victoria.

The bulletin highlights material flows (local and overseas markets), commodity prices, any significant changes to local market through to opportunities within the industry.

If you require detailed information on a particular material stream, for example feedstock availability, please get in touch at Invest@sustainability.vic.gov.au to discuss your enquiry further.

The bulletin is produced in partnership with external government and industry experts.

If I am unsuccessful, will I receive feedback?

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing via email and are welcome to request feedback on their application. Requests for feedback should be made by email to grants.enquiries@sustainability.vic.gov.au

Collaboration

How do I engage with a university?

If you have a research idea and need support connecting with a Victorian University, visit:

Does my organisation need to have a previous working relationship with the Lead Industry Partner to be able to apply for the grant?

No, it is not a requirement for the Lead Applicant and Industry Partner (s) to have had a prior working relationship.

Does SV have a list of Industry Partners available?

No, SV does not have a list of industry partners. We recommend you check out previously funded projects and its partners. You can read more about previously funded Research, Development and Demonstration projects and recipients.

What are the Intellectual Property requirements under this fund?

Refer to clause 21 Intellectual Property of the Materials Research and Development - General Funding Agreement (pdf, 281kB).

If you have specific questions on the general funding agreement, please email these to: grants.enquiries@sustainability.vic.gov.au

Am I able to get a copy of the presentation?

Yes, you can view the information session recording here.

If you’d like a copy of the presentation slides, please email grants.enquiries@sustainability.vic.gov.au and put in the subject title: REQUEST R&D Fund webinar presentation slides

Timelines

Will there be future rounds of R&D funding? If so, what is the likely timing?

Yes, future R&D funding is planned, timelines are to be confirmed. To keep up to date on future grants, subscribe to our Grants and funding alert.

Other questions

How many projects usually get funded per round?

The total program value is $1.8 million. The number of funded projects is dependent on the number and quality of applications received and how much recommended projects request in funding.

You can read more about previously funded Research, Development and Demonstration projects and recipients