Up to $10,000 is available to access overseas conferences and trade events.
Project Aim
The Victoria’s Technology Trade and International Partnering (TRIP) Program was established by the Victorian Government to encourage Victorian technology companies to take their products to the world. The TRIP Program is available to ICT companies and Biotechnology and Small Technology companies
Nature of Assistance
The TRIP grant covers eligible expenses including a contribution towards airfares and accommodation. Where applicable, it also covers the cost of conference entry, non-confidential pitching documents and presentation materials, the exhibition stand and other promotional costs.
ICT
| Type of Grant | Definition | Grant |
| Follow-up visitor | A person representing an eligible Victorian ICT company, that is traveling to a meeting or event overseas with the expectation of confirming a significant new sales contract. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the travel is essential to achieving substantial new export sales. The grant is for only one representative per company per event and may only be accessed once a year. | Recovery of eligible expenses up to $2,500 max |
| Networker | A person representing an eligible ICT company attending an international ICT expo, or Victorian Government led business mission. This grant is a contribution towards airfares, accommodation and costs of trade event entry for one person per company. | Recovery of eligible expenses up to $2,500 max |
| Exhibitor in a shared stand | An eligible Victorian ICT company will share an exhibition stand with a multinational company, an industry association, an educational institution or an Australian government agency. The grant is a contribution towards the cost of the company attending the event. It includes airfares, accommodation, stand and promotional costs. | 50% recovery of eligible expenses up to $4,000 max |
| Conference sponsor | An eligible Victorian ICT company that has committed to sponsor a recognised industry conference. The grant is a contribution towards the cost of the company attending the event, which may or may not have an exhibition component. It includes airfares, accommodation, stand (if appropriate) and promotional costs. | 50% recovery of eligible expenses up to $4,000 max |
| Sole exhibitor | An eligible Victorian ICT company exhibiting at an international expo in a non-shared stand. The grant is a contribution towards the cost of the company attending the event. It includes airfares, accommodation, stand and promotional costs. | 50% recovery of eligible expenses up to $8,000 |
| Group exhibitor | A representative entity of a cluster of Victorian ICT companies attending an international expo. The grant is a contribution towards the cost of the company attending the event. It includes airfares, accommodation, stand and promotional costs. | 50% recovery of eligible expenses up to $10,000 |
| First-time sole exhibitor | An eligible Victorian ICT company that will exhibit at an international expo and has never before accessed the program. The grant provides an additional incentive to exhibit and assistance to develop promotional materials. The grant is a contribution towards airfares, accommodation, exhibition stand costs and the cost of promotional materials.This grant can only be accessed once. | 50% recovery of eligible expenses up to $10,000 |
Biotechnology and Small Technology
| Type of Grant | Definition | Grant |
| Conference Participant | A person representing an eligible company attending an international conference held overseas. | Recovery of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $2,500 |
| Conference Presenter or Investment Pitch | A person representing an eligible company presenting or making a pitch at an international conference or forum held overseas. | Recovery of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $3,000 |
| Meeting with Regulatory Authority | A person representing an eligible company attending a meeting with an international regulatory authority overseas. | Recovery of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $2,500 |
| Exhibitor in a Shared Stand | An eligible company that shares an exhibition stand with a co-exhibitor at an international exhibition held overseas. A co-exhibitor may be a Victorian or multinational company, an industry association, an educational institution or an Australian government agency. | 50 percent recovery of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $4,000 |
| Sole Exhibitor | An eligible company exhibiting in a non-shared stand at an international exhibition held overseas. | 50 percent recovery of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $8,000 |
| First Time Sole Exhibitor | An eligible company that has never accessed the program and is exhibiting in a non-shared stand at an international exhibition held overseas. The first time sole exhibitor grant provides incentive for Victorian companies to exhibit internationally and assistance to develop promotional materials. This grant can only be accessed once. | 50 percent recovery of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000 |
Where can I go?
Eligible companies are able to apply for grant assistance to attend any overseas conference or trade event so long as the event is relevant to biotechnology and/or small technologies. In addition, companies are able to apply for assistance to attend meetings with relevant international regulatory authorities.
ICT
A variety of ICT shows and events that have been well attended by Victorian companies in the past, include:
- BETT Educational Technology Show, London (eLearning)
- CommunicAsia, Singapore (general ICT)
- Gitex Dubai, UAE (general ICT)
- Game Developers Conference, San Francisco, USA (games)
- Hong Kong International ICT Expo (general ICT)
- OFC/NFOEC, California, USA (optical communications)
Biotechnology and Small Technology
Examples include but are not limited to: BIO Annual Convention USA, Allicense, BIO Asia, BIO CEO and Investor Conference, BIO Europe, BioPartnering Europe, BioPartnering North America, C21 Bioventures and the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, BIO India, Medica, NSTI USA, Nano Japan, Hanover Messe Germany, investor conferences, international regulatory body meetings (e.g. FDA, MHR, EU notified bodies, SFDA etc).
What does it mean for me?
By participating in international events companies can:
- develop skills and knowledge to enhance business competitiveness
- build international connections such as new international business relationships or partnering opportunities
- build their business by improving sales, deal making or capital raising
- enhance their international profile by entering new international markets
- attract foreign investment and secure international licensing deals
- benchmark products and services against the world’s best
- better understand international regulatory requirements
- explore and adopt new and emerging technologies
How often can I apply for grant assistance?
Eligible Victorian companies can receive up to three TRIP Program grants in a financial year. Only one grant per company per overseas trip is permitted.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to apply for the TRIP Program if you are a Victorian company that:
- is an incorporated commercial entity based and headquartered in Victoria
- employs fewer than 200 employees in Victoria where principal business activities are in biotechnology and small technology or ICT
- engages in R&D and/or development of products or services in Victoria
- is able to lodge a complete application at least two weeks prior to the event and provide all claim documentation within six weeks after the event
Expert Assistance
Writing a good quality grant application is a critical element in the application process. An application needs to be well thought through, written concisely, have clear objectives and purpose, and show clear links to the objectives of the grant guidelines.
The grant application must answer all questions, provide all required information and respond to the merit criteria. It should also reflect your organisation’s business strategy.
Writing a good application takes time and effort, and requires particular writing skills.
Bulletpoint are expert grant consultants and can assist with all aspects of grant preparation.
Call us on (03) 9005 6789 or email to discuss further.
We have significant experience in applying for grants. Typical areas where we can be of assistance include:
- Demonstrating the identified need;
- Highlighting the relevance to current government policies and priorities;
- Complete the Project Plan and Budget Projections;
- Identify Outcomes that are measurable;
- Detail the applicant organisation’s experience or expertise in undertaking the project/s;
- Calculating the value for money; and
- Demonstrating capacity to deliver quality outcomes
Timing
New applications for ICP and BST Program are currently suspended until further notice.
Latest Recipient
Award-winning mobile app developer Two Bulls has announced the elevation of their current Melbourne office to new global headquarters. As a result, the company will create another 20 highly-skilled information and communication technology (ICT) jobs by the end of 2015 – bringing their total staff to 50.