Top 10 Grants to Watch in 2026

Top 10 Grants to Watch in 2026
What businesses need to know, where funding is heading, and how to get ready. 

By Janine Owen, Founder and CEO of  Grant’d  

 

As Australia moves toward 2026, founders and business owners are increasingly focused on understanding which government grants and funding opportunities will have the greatest impact on growth, innovation and scale. 

In our previous article, What Government Will Be Funding in 2026, we explored the broader policy and investment themes shaping future funding. This follow-up article focuses on the top grants to watch in 2026 highlighting specific programs already announced or expected to open that Australian startups, SMEs and scaling businesses should be preparing for now. 

Together, these government grants for 2026 offer a practical snapshot of where funding is heading and the types of businesses government is actively looking to support.

• Female Founders Co-Investment Fund (QLD)
• New Industries and Innovation Fund – Innovation Pathways (WA)
• First Nations Innovation Acceleration Program (QLD)
• CSIRO Kick-Start Program (National)
• R&D Tax Incentive (National)
• Start-Up Finance Package (Indigenous Business Australia)
• Business Growth Fund Program (QLD)
• AEA Ignite Grants (National)
• AEA Innovate Grants (National)
• MVP Ventures Program (NSW)

 

1 – Female Founders Co-Investment Fund (QLD) 

Supports innovative women-led startups raising early-stage equity. 

Funding available: $50,000 to $200,000 matched 

Why it matters: Helps female founders overcome barriers to private investment and close stronger rounds.  

 

2 – New Industries and Innovation Fund – Innovation Pathways (WA) 

Funds accelerator, investor readiness and entrepreneurship programs that support WA’s innovation pipeline.

Funding available: Up to $300,000
Why it matters: Builds capability and prepares businesses for investment. 

 

3 – First Nations Innovation Acceleration Program (QLD) 

Supports established First Nations businesses ready to scale, with advisory support included.

Funding available: Up to $100,000 

Why it matters: Creates jobs, builds capability and strengthens Indigenous-led economic growth. 

 

4 – CSIRO Kick-Start Program (National) 

Supports R&D projects with CSIRO researchers.

Funding available: $10,000 to $50,000 vouchers (matched) 

Why it matters: Gives early-stage businesses access to world-class R&D at a fraction of the cost. 

 

5 – R&D Tax Incentive (National) 

Tax offset supports eligible R&D activities across all sectors.

Funding available: Up to 43.5% of eligible R&D costs 

Why it matters: Reduces financial risk and encourages sustained innovation. 

 

 

Not sure if you’re eligible for the R&D Tax Incentive?
Our FREE R&DTI Blueprint breaks it down with an eligibility checklist, examples, and expert tips from the FundFindrs team.

 

 

6 – Start-Up Finance Package (Indigenous Business Australia)

For majority-Indigenous-owned start-ups. 

Funding available: Up to $150,000 (loan plus grant component) 

Why it matters: Reduces early barriers so First Nations founders can establish and grow businesses. 

 

7 – Business Growth Fund Program (QLD) 

For high-growth small businesses investing in equipment to scale. 

Funding available: $50,000 to $75,000 matched 

Why it matters: Helps growing companies boost productivity and create jobs. 

 

8 – AEA Ignite Grants (National)

Funds early-stage university-industry proof-of-concept projects. 

Funding available: Up to $500,000 

Why it matters: Bridges the gap between research and commercial markets. 

 

9 – AEA Innovate Grants (National) 

Supports scaling innovations through prototypes, pilots and proof-of-scale. 

Funding available: Up to $5 million 

Why it matters: Serious capital for founders looking to take big steps fast. 

 

10 – MVP Ventures Program (NSW) 

Supports TRL 3-9 innovation with higher contributions for women-led, regional and First Nations founders. 

Funding available: $20,000 to $75,000 

Why it matters: Reduces early commercialisation costs and accelerates market readiness. 

 

 

What these grants mean for your business in 2026 

These top government grants to watch in 2026 reinforce a clear trend: funding is increasingly directed toward businesses that are prepared, strategically aligned and ready to move early. 

While each program has its own eligibility rules and timelines, the strongest outcomes typically come from businesses that embed grants into their broader growth and innovation strategy, rather than treating them as last-minute opportunities. 

FundFindrs works alongside founders and business owners to help them navigate Australia’s business grants and incentives landscape — from identifying relevant funding opportunities to ensure your work is aligned with the R&DTI criteria. 

If funding is part of your 2026 growth plans, now is the right time to understand what’s coming and ensure your business is positioned to act when opportunities open.  

 

 

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About the author  

Janine Owen is the Founder and CEO of Grant’d. With more than 20 years’ experience in fundraising and over $100 million raised across government, corporate and philanthropic funding, Janine is on a mission to make funding simple, strategic and accessible for every founder. 

 

About Grant’d 

Grant’d is Australia’s first intelligent, end-to-end funding ecosystem for startups, SMEs and purpose-led organisations. 

 

The platform helps you: 

• find the right grants in under a minute
• understand eligibility instantly
• build a proactive funding roadmap
• track deadlines and manage applications in one place

 

Grant’d takes the guesswork out of grants so you can focus on building, scaling and delivering impact. Learn more at  grantd.com.au.