Research Development and Innovation

Pathfinder fund

 

Giving new technologies a chance

PATHFINDER can fund up to $100,000 per project

PATHFINDER is a proof-of-concept fund for developing technologies created at UWA

PATHFINDER can fund up to $100,000 per project and can be used to:

  • Develop a prototype
  • Carry out field trials
  • Conduct market research
  • Fund external testing

Funding can be applied for in two discrete stages:

Stage 1 - Maximum $25,000 approved by Research Development and Innovation.
Stage 2 - Maximum $75,000 approved by an independent external panel.

You can apply for the two stages separately or together. However, the successful completion of stage 1 and approval by the external panel are required to access stage 2 funds.

PATHFINDER Application form and guidelines

 
 

Government programs

Government commercialisation funding sources:

Pathfinder is UWA's early-stage fund to assist with identifying and developing research with commercial potential.

A total of $250,000 a year, to a maximum of $100,000 per project, is available for eligible projects.

 

Objectives

  • To fund UWA early-stage projects and concepts which are expected to have a clear commercial potential.
  • To develop early-stage projects into investor-ready or IP licensing opportunities.
  • To use Pathfinder for leveraging funds from other commercialisation funding sources, like Commercialisation Australia.

Pathfinder is not for initial conceptual investigation, "gap" funding for research programs, acquisition of capital equipment, conference travel or IP protection.

 

Structure

Funding can be applied for in two discrete stages:

  • Stage 1 - Maximum $25,000 approved by the Office of Industry and Innovation.
  • Stage 2 - Maximum $75,000 approved by an independent external panel.

You can apply for the two stages separately or together. However, the successful completion of stage 1 and approval by the external panel are required to access stage 2 funds.