Timelines

  • 11 April 2023: EOI for Challenges open.

  • 8 May 2023: EOI for Challenges close.

  • May 2023: The BRII team provides guidance on all EOIs received and encourages relevant agencies to apply with full application.

  • 15 May 2023: Full applications open for submission of Agency challenges.

  • 16 June 2023: Full applications close for submission of Agency challenges.

  • July-August 2023: Challenges assessed by an independent expert panel and recommendations made to the Minister.

  • September-October 2023: Announcement of successful challenges and BRII opens for SMEs to apply for Feasibility grants.

Challenge application assessment process

Australian Government agencies submit challenges via a full application. The BRII team will provide guidance to agencies to work up a full application. Each full application is then assessed against the merit criteria (indicated below) by the independent expert panel.

The independent expert panel then ranks all applications and makes recommendations to the Minister for Industry and Science for approval. The Minister will make the final decision and agencies will be advised. 

Merit criteria

Merit criterion 1 – Scope for innovation

The extent to which the challenge proposal calls for an innovative solution to address an Australian Government agency need not currently met by solutions in the global marketplace.

Merit criterion 2 – Agency resources and strategic alignment

A challenge proposal must outline the agency’s capacity and resources and align with the strategic priorities and policies of the agency and the Commonwealth.

Merit criterion 3 – Social and economic benefits

A challenge proposal must outline the possible social and economic benefits of the innovative solution.

Other criteria

Alongside the merit criteria, the independent expert panelalso check challenges are fit for purpose in that they:

  • must pose a problem to SMEs that can be turned into one or more minimum viable product(s)

  • must be solvable by a SME (<$20million turnover).

  • must present an opportunity for the SME(s) to commercialise and repeat the solution(s) i.e. build a business

  • must solve problems or issues encountered by other organisations and stakeholders

  • cannot be issues that would be solved by the provision of additional public funding, such as a grant or incentive.

If your challenge is successful

If your challenge is successful there will be a high level of engagement that will be required through the duration of the projects. Challenge agencies will be required to:

  • Review and assess SMEs applications for the Feasibility and Proof of Concept Study Stage.

  • Participate in Challenge Management Group meetings with the SMEs and BRII team.

  • Work closely with the SMEs.

  • Attend demonstrations/showcases from the SMEs.

  • Government agencies need to be aware of the resourcing requirements including:

    • staff availability for the duration of the challenge (up to 2 ½ years)

    • budget to purchase the solution (if applicable).

  • Other requirements that will need to be taken into consideration may include provision of data, security clearances, access to the agency(s) facilities.

Tips for creating a good challenge

  • Create a high level challenge statement for the policy or service delivery problem. Avoid explaining the solution you want.

    • Summarise the challenge in the form of ‘How might we…’ or ‘What can we do to…’

  • The challenge solution must be innovative and have no current solution available in the market.

    • Explain why current products/solutions aren’t suitable

  • Other organisations beyond yours will benefit from solving this challenge. We recognise that some solutions may be more transferable than others.

  • Describe the impacts on your agency of a successful solution, including cost savings (financial value), policy results (social value), or improved services for the Australian public (user value).

How agencies can buy a solution

At the conclusion of the proof of concept phase, the Australian Government agency that proposed the challenge has the option to negotiate purchase of a solution (if applicable), but is under no obligation to do so.

If a participating agency intends to purchase a solution, the grantee must negotiate in good faith in relation to the sale of the solution to the Australian Government.

Any agency wishing to procure an innovative solution must do so at its own cost, and in compliance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

Forward planning and departmental budgeting is advised in the event that an agency is looking to procure a solution.

How we support you

The BRII team will provide support to government agencies in developing the challenge.

The BRII team is responsible for liaison and the day‑to-day management of the grant agreement and its requirements, including payments to the SMEs and managing the Challenge Management Group.

Challenge Management Group consists of representatives from the BRII team, the participating agency or agencies, and the grantee. This group will meet regularly to discuss and monitor the progress of projects to ensure success.

More information

Read more information on industry.gov.au/BRII or email BRII@industry.gov.au.