Australia to provide AUD1.5 million in funding for digital initiatives in 2021

Under the theme "Enhancing Digital Transformation", this round of grant will seek initiatives that have the potential to enhance digital transformation in the economy and deliver inclusive social impacts.

These initiatives should be able to develop innovative products, services, or business models and solutions that build on emerging digital technologies to help improve the efficiency, agility, and productivity in a specific sector or across the economy.

While there are no restrictions in the sectors that applicants might want to focus their ideas on, some suggestions include smart manufacturing, smart agriculture, digital health, smart education, smart cities, finance and banking, natural resources and environment, and e-government.

Individual grants will be between AUD100,000 and AUD1 million, aiming to help Vietnamese inventors come up with initiatives to address challenges and capitalise on opportunities in the context of the global pandemic and the new normal. It is expected that the funded activities will be completed within 12 months from the time of signing the grant agreement.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy affirmed that the Innovation Partnership Grants – Round 3 is very suitable in the current context, when the Prime Minister has approved the National Digital Transformation Program with the expectation to transform Vietnam into a digital country, where government management, business operation, and people’s lives are enabled with a secured digital environment.

The deadline for applications will be April 4, 2021.

The Innovation Partnership Grants are within the AUD11 million Aus4Innovation programme being carried out over four years (2018-2022), aiming to help strengthen Vietnam’s innovation system and prepare for the country’s economic and digital future. The program is funded by the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and managed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), with the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam as a key partner.