02 May 2018

Grants Information: Made in Queensland Programme

MADE IN QUEENSLAND PROGRAMME

 

The Made in Queensland Programme (MIQ) is a new State Government initiative aimed at helping Queensland based manufacturers increase their productivity and competitiveness by adopting innovative processes and technologies.

A MIQ Grant will support eligible manufacturing businesses for up to 50% of the costs of a proposed eligible project for between $50,000 to $2.5 million (excluding GST).

Who is eligible for the MIQ Grant?

To be eligible you must

  • Be a Queensland based SME manufacturing business
  • Employ between five and 200 full time equivalent staff
  • Undertake an Eligible Project

What is an Eligible Project?

An eligible project must directly align with the strategic direction of your business and be one of the following 3 types of projects:

  1. An innovative non-equipment process or technology project – this can focus on increasing productivity and profitability through processes, operations, resources management, digitization and sustainability;
  2. A leading-edge advanced manufacturing equipment project that focuses on production and/or operations;
  3. A combination project that incorporates both items 1 and 2. This would include both advanced equipment purchases and innovative non-equipment processes and technologies.

Additionally, the eligible project must be designed to achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

  • Implementing business capability improvements to boost productivity and international competitiveness;
  • Assist with introducing innovation in manufacturing processes;
  • Adopt international best practice;
  • Improve commercial outcomes for your business;
  • Contribute to maintaining current jobs in your business; and/or
  • Create new high-skilled jobs at your business.

How can you apply?

There is a competitive two-stage application process.

Stage One – Expression of Interest – closes 24th May 2018

Your Expression of Interest (EOI) must include :

  1. A description of the proposed project including whether it is a type 1, 2 or 3 eligible project;
  2. Identification of how the proposed project will achieve one of more of the abovementioned outcomes such as productivity improvements, adoption of new or emerging technology, entering new markets, creating new jobs etc. Supporting evidence such as industry publications and statistics will be required;
  3. Identification of how the project aligns with the strategic direction of your business. This will require supporting evidence such as business plans, provision of strategic plans, benchmarking reports etc;
  4. Identification of how the project will increase your productivity, profitability and/or international competitiveness. Supporting evidence is required and will include forecast sales and projected profit and productivity improvements and/or employee increases;
  5. An explanation as to how the proposed project is innovative or leading edge. Again, this will need to be supported by industry reviews, consulting reports and other trade data;
  6. Initial Project costings over a maximum 12 month period including a break down of eligible and ineligible project costs;
  7. Simple project timeline or GANTT chart.

Please note, for supporting evidence as detailed in items 2 to 5 above, if you do not currently have this independent documentation you must detail in your response how you plan to obtain them to support your detailed application.

Your EOI will then be evaluated against seven assessment criteria.  Each criteria carries a different weighting.  The highest-ranking applicants will then be invited to progress to Stage 2.

Stage Two – Detailed Application

Applicants who are successful in the EOI Stage will be invited to progress to Stage Two, the Detailed Application phase.  This will involve providing detailed supporting evidence (including independent evaluations) that aligns with the project scope and costings submitted as part of the EOI.

Furthermore, Stage Two applicants will also be required to prove they can fund the project costs not funded by the MIQ grant and pass satisfactory due diligence and probity checks.

How will I know if I’m successful in obtaining a MIQ Grant?

The MIQ Programme is a highly competitive one.  Successful Stage One applicants will be notified in July 2018 and the Stage 2 Detailed Applications will be submitted in August 2018.  Successful applicants will be advised of grant outcomes in late 2018.

If you wish to take advantage of this offering or find out more information, please contact Diane Brown of SRJ Walker Wayland on 07 3490 9988.