Program overview
What are the grant/program objectives?
Regional Enablers Program (REP) aims to:
- develop innovation activities and services that supports Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs) to ideate, startup and scaleup.
- strengthen regional innovation ecosystems by delivering services that support local IDEs in their communities.
- activate and improve networks that drive collaborative approaches for IDE growth, through capability uplifts, events and knowledge sharing.
- accelerate technological innovation and regional adoption in priority industries such as AgTech to transform regional economies.
Applications that include innovation activities and services within Priority Investment Areas and/or support inclusion of IDEs including First Nations, female founders and youth innovators in the Queensland innovation ecosystem will be highly regarded.
What will recipients get?
Funding of up to $100,000 (excluding GST) per annum over three years is available for organisations with proposals to deliver additional innovation activities and services outside of their business-as-usual activities, including scaling existing activity and service offerings for regional IDE impact.
Eligibility criteria
The program aims to fund existing innovation enabler organisations based in regional Queensland to deliver innovation activities and services that are new or will scale their existing offerings for regional IDE impact.
To be eligible to apply for this program, the applicant must, at the time of application:
- be an organisation (not an individual)
- have an ABN and be registered for GST (at the time of application)
- be based in a Queensland region, being any local government area, except Brisbane City Council.
- have a demonstrated track record (over a minimum of 12 months prior to date of application) of delivering innovation activities, services, and/or events to develop regional innovation ecosystems
- not have any outstanding reporting or acquittals for grants awarded by our department
Applicants and their related corporate entities are limited to one application per funding round.
The program will not support:
- applications from innovation enabler organisations that are currently receiving Queensland Government funding for the proposed additional innovation activities and services.
- applications for delivery of general business support services, e.g., business basics for small business/business in general. (Applicants must demonstrate a focus on delivery of innovation activities and services).
- applications from consulting firms, financial institutions, government agencies (state and federal) and government owned corporations.
Supporting resources
Additional support
- Grant writing information
- Tourism and Events Queensland grant writing guide
- Queensland Government Grants Finder
Previous recipients
Fifteen organisations will play a crucial role in fostering innovation and growth across Queensland's diverse regions over the next three years as successful Round 1 Recipients of Regional Enablers Program funding.
Case studies
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Empowering Young Female Founders through AgTech
The GrowHer program is building the next generation of female AgTech leaders across regional Queensland. Delivered through the Queensland Government’s Regional Enablers Program (REP), GrowHer empowers young women with the skills, confidence, and hands‑on experience needed to thrive in a…
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NEXTGEN Student Incubator – Empowering Queensland’s Future Innovators
NEXTGEN Student Incubator – Empowering Queensland’s Future Innovators.
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Regional Enablers Impact10X Program
Recognising the untapped potential of Far North Queensland’s entrepreneurial community, Mindesigns together with Dr Samantha Horseman launched the Impact10X program in January 2025
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Regional innovation shines in Cairns
Regional enablers from across Queensland came together at James Cook University’s (JCU) Ideas Lab in Cairns for a day of collaboration, inspiration, and cutting-edge technology as part of the Regional Enablers Program (REP).
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Celebrating the success of the inaugural Regional Enablers Program Summit
The inaugural Regional Enablers Program Summit was held at The Precinct on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October 2025, bringing together 15 Regional Enablers Providers from across Queensland – from the Far North to the Gold Coast – to share…
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A digital leap for the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays Region
The Greater Whitsunday region has a new flagship innovation event called Tech Verge, delivered in May 2025 by Greater Whitsunday Innovation (GWI) with support from the Queensland Government’s Regional Enablers Program (REP).
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North Queensland leads the way in circular economy innovation
North Queensland is emerging as a leader in the circular economy, driven by initiatives like the inaugural Circular Futures NQ – Innovation and Sustainability Summit held in Townsville in May 2025.
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Tokenizing AI: From complexity to building AI capability – that delivers results
Learn how Tokenizer is enabling businesses to move from AI exploration to real implementation.
