Global Connections Fund
A grant scheme supporting international collaboration between researchers and small to medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Korea and Australia.
Global Connections Fund - Bridging Grants 2025
Applications are now open for the final round of the GCF Bridging Grants.
The Global Connections Fund (GCF) aims to promote international collaboration between researchers and small to medium-sized enterprises.
What support is available?
The Bridging Grants provide between AUD $35,000 to AUD $75,000 per grant and act as seed funding capital to enable viable projects to grow in scope and scale, to test commercialisation and proof of concept activities. They are highly competitive and are supported by funds and/or in-kind contributions by the applicant partners.
What is the focus of the grants?
The Bridging Grants are designed to support international partnerships between Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Researchers to grow beyond an initial level of engagement into a strong collaboration leading to the translation of research knowledge and intellectual property into market ready products or services.
Bridging Grants are not to be used for basic research funding, for the acquisition of major capital equipment, or for conference travel.
Projects must be in one of the four priority areas below:
- Robotics
- Quantum technology
- Biotechnology
- Renewable energy and batteries
Who can apply?
The current, and final, round of the GCF Bridging Grants will focus on partnerships between Australia and the Republic of Korea.
Partnerships must be between:
- Australian researchers and Korean SMEs; or
- Australian SMEs and Korean researchers.
Applicants must be either an Australian researcher or an Australian-incorporated SME, and have a proposal supporting an SME-Researcher partnership with a Korean partner.
Read the guidelines
Apply now
Submit your application to the Global Connections Fund – Bridging Grants 2025 scheme. Applications will close on 11 May 2025.
The Bridging Grants program is administered by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources. This initiative aligns with the newly established Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund.
Contact us
If you have read the GCF guidelines and have further questions, you can contact the ATSE international team at international@atse.org.au.
