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International Partnerships in Critical Minerals
Australian Government · Australia
The International Partnerships in Critical Minerals Program provides grants of between $2 million and $20 million for early to mid-stage critical minerals projects that build end-to-end supply chains with Australia’s international partners. Funding covers up to 50% of eligible expenditure for activities such as pilot plants, feasibility studies, capacity expansions, infrastructure scoping and R&D collaboration undertaken substantially in Australia.
Funding
$2M – $20M
Duration
up to 2 years application window; project duration as agreed in grant agreement
Location
Australia
Who Can Apply
- Applicant must be an Australian incorporated trading corporation with an ABN/ACN, non-income-tax-exempt and registered for GST; government bodies (Commonwealth, State, Territory, local, and GBEs) are ineligible.
- Project must be an early to mid-stage critical minerals project between post-exploration and final investment decision, substantially undertaken in Australia and relating to minerals on Australia’s Critical Minerals List.
- Project must involve an international partner that takes an active role in the project, with evidence of the relationship at application and a formal arrangement in place before grant agreement execution.
- Grants range from $2 million to $20 million and can cover up to 50% of eligible expenditure, with overseas costs subject to caps and limits.
Eligible projects must be early to mid-stage critical minerals projects that occur between the post-exploration and final investment decision stages and contribute to building end-to-end supply chains with Australia’s international partners in the critical minerals sector. Activities must be substantially undertaken in Australia and must produce, or be planning to produce, one or more critical minerals listed on Australia’s Critical Minerals List. Eligible activities include pilot plants, feasibility studies, capacity expansions, scoping work for infrastructure upgrades and research and development collaboration. Project expenditure must be incurred between the project start and end dates specified in the grant agreement; expenditure incurred before the project start date is not eligible. Overseas labour costs are eligible but are capped at AU$175,000 per annum per overseas staff member and count towards a 10% cap on overseas spending for the project; if overseas staff are not direct employees they must be claimed as contractors. The depreciated cost and running costs of pre-existing plant and equipment used directly on the project during the project period are eligible if verifiable and in accordance with Commissioner of Taxation rules.
Applicants must be incorporated in Australia, be a trading corporation with an ABN/ACN, be non-income-tax-exempt and registered for GST. Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government bodies, including government business enterprises, are not eligible. State and territory governments are therefore ineligible. Aboriginal-owned entities are eligible if they meet the general entity requirements (ABN/ACN, non-income-tax-exempt, GST-registered). Overseas entities cannot apply as the lead applicant. International partners may include foreign governments, state-owned enterprises, private sector and other commercial entities, but must take an active involvement in the project and enter into a formal arrangement with the lead applicant prior to execution of the grant agreement.
At application stage, applicants must provide evidence of the relationship with the international partner, such as a letter of support, and include information about the relationship as set out in the grant opportunity guidelines. Applicants must declare all known foreign affiliations for both the lead applicant and all project partners, including the international partner. Applications are assessed against three merit criteria (allocated 40, 40 and 20 points respectively) and must score at least 50% against each criterion to be considered for funding, as well as demonstrate value with relevant money. The minimum grant is $2 million and the maximum is $20 million, covering up to 50% of eligible project expenditure, implying a minimum total eligible project expenditure of $4 million. Government bodies at all levels are ineligible to apply.
What's Funded
Early to mid-stage critical minerals project activities between post-exploration and final investment decision, including pilot plants, feasibility studies, capacity expansions, scoping work for infrastructure upgrades, and research and development collaboration with international partners. Activities must be substantially undertaken in Australia and relate to minerals on Australia’s Critical Minerals List.Expected Outcomes
Development of early to mid-stage critical minerals projects that help build end-to-end supply chains with Australia’s international partners, support implementation of the Critical Minerals Strategy 2023-2030, and progress projects from post-exploration towards final investment decision while strengthening international commercial and government partnerships in the critical minerals sector.Key Information
Applicant Types
companyindigenous_organisationother
Stage
early_stagegrowthestablished
Funding Purposes
r_and_dinnovationcapital_expenditureexportcommercialisationother
Keywords
critical mineralsminingresourcesinternational partnershipssupply chainsexportpilot plantsfeasibility studies
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals?
The International Partnerships in Critical Minerals is a business grant offered by Australian Government in Australia, providing $2M – $20M in funding. The International Partnerships in Critical Minerals Program provides grants of between $2 million and $20 million for early to mid-stage critical minerals projects that build end-to-end supply chains with Australia’s international partners. Funding covers up to 50% of eligible expenditure for activities such as pilot plants, feasibility studies, capacity expansions, infrastructure scoping and R&D collaboration undertaken substantially in Australia.
2
How much funding does the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals provide?
The International Partnerships in Critical Minerals provides $2M – $20M in funding. The typical project duration is up to 2 years application window; project duration as agreed in grant agreement.
3
Who is eligible for the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals?
- Applicant must be an Australian incorporated trading corporation with an ABN/ACN, non-income-tax-exempt and registered for GST; government bodies (Commonwealth, State, Territory, local, and GBEs) are ineligible.
- Project must be an early to mid-stage critical minerals project between post-exploration and final investment decision, substantially undertaken in Australia and relating to minerals on Australia’s Critical Minerals List.
- Project must involve an international partner that takes an active role in the project, with evidence of the relationship at application and a formal arrangement in place before grant agreement execution.
- Grants range from $2 million to $20 million and can cover up to 50% of eligible expenditure, with overseas costs subject to caps and limits.
4
What activities are funded?
Early to mid-stage critical minerals project activities between post-exploration and final investment decision, including pilot plants, feasibility studies, capacity expansions, scoping work for infrastructure upgrades, and research and development collaboration with international partners. Activities must be substantially undertaken in Australia and relate to minerals on Australia’s Critical Minerals List.
5
How do I apply for the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals?
Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.
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