The Industry Growth Program — offering free advisory support plus early-stage commercialisation grants of $50,000–$250,000 and commercialisation/growth grants up to $5 million — has been paused to new applications since Budget night, 12 May 2026, and remains closed. It had approved 134 grants worth about $201.5 million before the pause, which followed $149.4 million in funding cuts.
Home › Founders News › Taxes & Grants
Federal Industry Growth Program paused — no new startup grant applications
Why this matters for founders
The IGP was one of the largest non-dilutive funding pathways for innovative Australian SMEs, so founders counting on it should pivot to alternatives (e.g. state MVP grants or the R&D Tax Incentive) and watch business.gov.au for a reopening, as no restart date has been set.
Source: SmartCompany
Related updates
More that helps you.
Finep opens R$3.3bn Mais Inovação Brasil grants; calls close Aug–Sep 2026
Finep launched a series of 13 calls under the Mais Inovação Brasil program offering R$3.3 billion in non-reimbursable economic subsidy (subvenção econômica) for innovation projects…
Treasury opens $5B New Markets Tax Credit CY2026 round, apps due Nov 10
Treasury's CDFI Fund published its Notice of Allocation Availability on Sept 15, 2026, making $5 billion in New Markets Tax Credit authority available for the CY2026 round, authori…
Amber Grant: three $10,000 awards for women founders, Sept 30 deadline
WomensNet awards three $10,000 Amber Grants to women-owned businesses every month, and monthly winners compete for one of three $50,000 year-end grants. The current cycle's applica…
Vinnova's Innovativa Startups 2026 grant raised to max SEK 500,000, opens Oct 12
Vinnova's revamped Innovativa Startups 2026 call offers grants of up to SEK 500,000 (up from SEK 300,000 in the 2025 Phase 1) to test customer needs, business concept and willingne…
Get briefs like this tuned to you.
In the app, Founder Briefs are personalized to your country, industry and stage, and you can save the ones that matter.
See plans →
Keep exploring
Related across the site
Case studyJack MaAlibabaCase studyReginald F. LewisTLC Beatrice InternationalChecklistFind real grants and free business helpGovernments offer loans, grants, and free advisors that most founders never claim. This checklist shows where the real support is and how to apply without wasting weeks.ChecklistRaise startup funding without the chaosDecide whether to raise at all, then run a focused process: sharp numbers, a ranked investor list, batched meetings, and terms you actually understand.GuideBuild an investor list that funds youTarget 30 to 50 investors who actually back your stage and sector, so every pitch lands with someone who can realistically say yes.GuideFind real small business support fastMost startup support is loans, tax credits, and free advice, not free money. A realistic map of what exists saves you from grant scams and wasted applications.