Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO6491

The program will create a network of AI Adopt Centres, aimed at establishing a ‘front door’ for SMEs looking to explore responsible and safe adoption and usage of AI.

The objectives of the program are to:

• support the safe and responsible adoption, implementation, and demonstration of real-world applications of AI technologies to address sectoral and local challenges
• support SMEs to responsibly integrate AI products that assist in development of new or improved products and services
• improve Australia’s future prosperity and our productivity growth by increasing AI adoption in SMEs and upskilling Australian workers in the usage of AI technologies
• support a growing network of Australian AI capability that provides expertise, business and technical skills, connectivity, and access to research and partnerships. This includes engagement with the National Artificial Intelligence Centre and the Responsible AI Network to build a cohesive and comprehensive network
• provide equity of access to SMEs nation-wide who are operating within the identified sectoral area, aligned to the National Reconstruction Fund priorities
• create further opportunity for growth in the AI technology market through a broad increase in international demand for Australian AI capabilities
• positively impact participation of underrepresented cohorts in technology, including women, First Nations Australians, and those with disability
• support the Australian Government in reaching its target of 1.2 million tech-related jobs by 2030.

The intended outcomes of the program are to:

• increase SMEs capacity to responsibly, safely and effectively utilise AI technologies by providing guidance, specialist training and access to specific talents and expertise
• increase awareness and workforce skills within the SME sector of responsible AI adoption
• increase SMEs productivity through using AI products to promote product development, and build efficiencies in NRF priority sectors.

You can apply if you:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN), and:
  • are an entity incorporated in Australia; or
  • an unincorporated entity, provided that if your application is successful you agree to form a company incorporated in Australia, or one of the other eligible entity types listed herein, prior to entering into a grant agreement.

You can’t apply if you are:

• an organisation, or your Consortia partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the list of ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme’
• an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012)
• income tax exempt
• an individual
• a partnership
• universities
• publicly funded research organisations (PFROs) as defined in section 14 of the grant opportunity guidelines
• any organisation not included in section 4.1 of the grant opportunity guidelines
• a state, territory or local government body
• a non-corporate Commonwealth entity
• the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) or a subsidiary entity of CSIRO (including as part of a joint application).

If you are ineligible to apply, you can be a partner to a joint application where the lead organisation is eligible to apply.

Joint (consortia) applications

You can partner with one or more other organisations but you must decide who the lead organisation is. The application must identify all other members of the proposed group and include a letter of support from each of the project partners.

The lead organisation must submit the application.

If your organisation is successful in securing the grant, the lead organisation:

• signs the grant agreement
• is responsible for ensuring you and your project partners adhere to the terms of the grant agreement.

Find the full eligibility criteria in the grant opportunity guidelines.

$17,000,000.00

From $3,000,000.00 to $5,000,000.00

To apply, go to https://business.gov.au/aiadopt

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