Deadline Date: December 04, 2025
CUREator, delivered in partnership with Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, is launching a national program to accelerate the development of early-stage therapeutics addressing significant unmet medical needs across the drug discovery, preclinical and clinical development stages.
Successful small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) will gain access to significant non-dilutive funding (up to $5 million per project), as well as commercial and scientific guidance, international expertise and networks, hands-on support, national training programs, and mentorship, to drive the translation and commercialisation of early-stage therapeutics. By aligning funding incentives and milestone-driven progress, CUREator will provide an important bridge to overcome the stop-start nature of translational research, assisting SMEs to secure follow-on funding and partnerships, as well as nurturing the next generation of innovators.
Funding is available to advance therapeutic programs from early drug discovery through to preclinical and clinical development, supporting projects that demonstrate strong potential for commercialisation and patient impact. Eligible applicants include Australian SMEs (Australian-based, for-profit companies) with less than 200 employees and researchers at Australian universities/research institutes, and willing to incorporate a new company prior to award.
CUREator offers up to a maximum of $5 million per project across two stages of competitive funding. Stage 1 provides initial project funding with $1 million to $1.5 million for preclinical stage projects and $1 million to $2.5 million for clinical stage projects. The Stage 2 top-up funding will be available on a competitive basis and will support successful SMEs that achieve agreed milestones during Stage 1.
The program seeks to accelerate innovation potential across Australia’s biotechnology and medical research ecosystem. By encouraging translation and commercial readiness, the initiative supports the development of therapeutic solutions capable of delivering patient benefits and broader economic impact.
CUREator also enables Australian innovators to tap into national expertise and global collaboration networks, helping research-driven companies secure future investment, build sustainable partnerships, and grow commercial pathways for high-value therapeutic breakthroughs.
For more information, visit Brandon Biocatalyst.
