The Global Connections Fund (GCF) is a component of the Global Innovation Strategy under the Australian Government's National Innovation and Science Agenda. The GCS enables Australian SMEs to link with international researchers and Australian researchers to collaborate with international SMEs to seize opportunities in priority areas of importance to the strategic growth sectors of Australia.
The GCF is comprised of two types of grants: Priming Grants and Bridging Grants. Priming Grants are small grants of $7,000 to enable Australian SMEs and Australian researchers to physically meet with their international partners and develop their collaborative ideas. Bridging Grants are larger grants (up to $50,000) designed as seed funding capital to enable viable projects to grow in scope and scale, to test commercialisation and proof of concept activities.