Critical Mineral Processing and Advanced Materials Innovation Program - Phase 1 Proof-of-Concept:

The Critical Minerals Processing and Advanced Materials Innovation Program (CMPAMIP) is a two-phase competitive NSW Government grant program supporting the commercialisation of downstream critical minerals processing technologies and critical minerals derived advanced materials.

Through CMPAMIP, the NSW Government is providing targeted support for university‑led collaborative research, partnering with industry and end‑users to accelerate processing technologies and enable the development of high‑value critical minerals‑derived advanced materials.

The Program invites proposals from NSW‑based research institutions for the development, refinement, validation, and piloting of innovative technologies and materials within NSW. It is designed to support sovereign capability, enhance collaboration across universities, industry, and government, and accelerate research translation, industry adoption, and market integration for sustained economic, workforce, and supply‑chain outcomes.

Phase 1 – Proof of Concept provides grants of up to $100,000 excluding GST for short-term projects of up to 8 months to establish the technical feasibility of a technology or advanced material. Phase 1 supports testing and small-scale validation activities required to assess whether the technology or advanced material is sufficiently mature to progress to Phase 2.

Phase 1 targets technologies and advanced materials within Technology Readiness Level 3 to 7 (inclusive) at the time of application. Projects must show a pathway to achieving a minimum of TRL 4 by the end of Phase 1.

These dates may be varied by the Department at its discretion. Late applications will not be accepted.

Please read the CMPAMIP Phase 1 Program Guidelines thoroughly before completing this application.

This application must be:

• completed in full
• submitted through SmartyGrants
• submitted with the knowledge and approval of the lead applicant research organisation
• submitted before the closing date and time.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all information is complete and accurate. Giving false or misleading information may result in an application being excluded from further consideration.

If an applicant has partner(s) on this project, the applicant must provide letter(s) of support from research or commercial partners describing their contribution to the project. For Phase 1, partners are not required to provide financial contributions. Letters will be uploaded under Assessment Criterion 3: Deliverability.  

Note that for Phase 2 commercial partner(s) (such as mining companies, processors and NSW-based METS providers) must collectively contribute a minimum of 20% of the total project value through cash and/or in-kind support. This minimum contribution must be formally committed through a letter of support from each contributing partner, attached to the application.