Apply Now: Carbon Innovation Grants Program (Australia)

The Carbon Innovation Grants Program (Round 3) provides competitive grant funding to support Western Australia’s heavy industry sectors to transition to net zero emissions by 2050. Administered by the Western Australian Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, the program supports feasibility studies, pilot projects, and capital works that help avoid, reduce, or offset carbon emissions from heavy industry processes. Round 3 is open for applications from 10 September 2026 and closes 5:00PM (AWST), 11 December 2026. Opportunity at a Glance

- Program name: Carbon Innovation Grants Program (Round 3)

- Funding organisation: Government of Western Australia; administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

- Program link: Carbon Innovation Grants Program (ServiceWA)

- Total program funding (overall): $15 million (part of the Government of Western Australia’s Climate Action Fund announced in 2021)

- Round 3 total funds available: Around $3.1 million

- Application opening date: Thursday, 10 September 2026

- Application deadline: 5:00PM (AWST), Friday, 11 December 2026

- Grant funding streams (Round 3):

- Feasibility Studies - Pilot Projects and Capital Works - Minimum/maximum grant amounts (Round 3):

- Feasibility Studies: $50,000 to $500,000, and must be no more than 50% of eligible project costs

- Pilot Projects and Capital Works: $100,000 to $1.5 million, and must be no more than 25% of eligible project costs

- Project duration limits after meeting Condition Precedent:

- Feasibility Studies: complete within 24 months

- Pilot/Capital Works: complete within 36 months

- Funding payment mechanism: Grant paid by milestone in arrears, supported by evidence milestones have been completed (including payment for goods and services received)

- Expected grant outcomes announced: Expected Quarter 3 2027

- Who can apply (applicant types): An Australian corporation, local government authority, not-for-profit organisation, incorporated association, university, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander corporation, company limited by guarantee, and a partnership or consortium of any of the eligible entities listed

About the Opportunity

The Carbon Innovation Grants Program supports WA heavy industry sectors to build capacity to transition to net zero emissions by 2050, aligning with the WA Government’s target. The program funds feasibility studies, pilot projects, and capital works that help avoid, reduce, or offset carbon emissions from heavy industry processes, with a focus on innovative technologies for carbon abatement and sequestration. The Round 3 grant is delivered through a competitive process administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. Funding and Benefits Round 3 includes two funding streams reflecting different stages of technology development: - Feasibility Studies

- Minimum: $50,000

- Maximum: $500,000

- Cost share restriction: Grant must be no more than 50% of eligible project costs

- Pilot Projects and Capital Works

- Minimum: $100,000

- Maximum: $1.5 million

- Cost share restriction: Grant must be no more than 25% of eligible project costs

Additional funding-related details provided in the source:

- Funding payment mechanism: paid by milestone in arrears on evidence the milestone has been completed, including evidence of payment for goods and services received.

- Total funds available in Round 3: around $3.1 million (subject to availability as described in the program context; the exact amount per award is not specified). Who Is Eligible? Applicants must be one of the following entity types (as listed in the source): - An Australian corporation - Local government authority - Not-for-profit organisation - Incorporated association - University - Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander corporation - Company limited by guarantee - Partnership or consortium made up of any of the eligible entities listed above

Key eligibility information:

- Further eligibility requirements: are provided in the applicant guidelines (Not specified in the supplied article text).

- Merit criteria: are also provided in the applicant guidelines (Not specified in the supplied article text).

Eligible Activities or Priority Areas The program funds projects that help to avoid, reduce, or offset carbon emissions from heavy industry processes, with a focus on innovative technologies for carbon abatement and sequestration. Round 3 is split across two stages: - Feasibility Studies to support technologies and methods from concept through to real-world trials - Pilot Projects and Capital Works to support real-world testing from pilot stage through to fuller-scale deployment Why This Opportunity Matters If your organisation is developing or testing low-emissions technologies for heavy industry, this grant program is designed to support progression from early technical feasibility through to real-world deployment. By funding activities like feasibility work, pilot testing, and capital-related implementation, the program targets measurable progress in reducing carbon emissions from heavy industry processes in Western Australia. How to Apply - Review the Round 3 applicant guidelines and financial model materials - Applicant Guidelines are listed under supporting documents on the program page (link access is provided on the official page). - The supplied article notes that application, merit criterion, and related details were discussed in Round 3 information sessions. - Prepare a financial model and supporting materials (as required in the guidelines) - The source lists separate financial model templates/case studies for: - Feasibility Studies - Pilot Projects and Capital Works - A risk register template is also listed in supporting documents. - Submit your application via the Smarty Grants application system - The source states that grant applications can be submitted via the Smarty Grants App link provided in the applicant guidelines. - The exact submission link is not specified i