RPG FAQ

The RNA Pipeline Grants (RPG) is a $6 million, single round, competitive technology development and commercialisation program, and is part of the NSW Government’s RNA R&D Initiatives, administered by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) within the NSW Premier's Department (the Department).

The RPG supports the development and commercialisation of innovative RNA therapeutics, vaccines and related technologies (such as RNA delivery technology) with a clear manufacturing pathway –spanning applications in health, biosecurity and agriculture. The RPG aims to build a robust pipeline of RNA-based products in NSW that could be manufactured at the RNA Research and Manufacturing Facility, helping bridge the gap between discovery and scalable production. By supporting projects that are progressing toward commercial readiness and manufacturing feasibility, the RPG aims to attract future investment, increase local manufacturing and grow a globally competitive RNA ecosystem that delivers long-term health, economic and scientific benefits for the people of NSW.

The RPG has $6 million in funding available for projects ranging between $200,000 to $3 million.

The RPG targets companies with innovative RNA therapeutics, vaccines and related technologies within the TRL range of 3-6 and aims to help them move along the TRL scale and commercialise their idea.

To be eligible for the RPG applicants must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)

• be registered for the purposes of GST

• be headquartered in NSW

• be one of the following:

• a company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (including a company limited by guarantee)

• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)

• an individual or partnership who agrees to form a company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) so that the Department can enter into a legally binding Funding Agreement

• a NSW public research organisation or medical research institute applying through its appropriate technology transfer office or the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) of the research organisation that will become a separate entity before entering into a legally binding Funding Agreement with the Department

• hold the IP or have the rights to commercialise the technology/innovation in Australia and major international markets (e.g. the United States and Europe).

Joint applications between a business entity and research-based organisations (including universities) are encouraged. However, the business entity must lead the project, be eligible to apply and submit the grant application. The lead application (the business) must outline clearly in their application who the project partners are and how each partner will contribute to achieving the objectives of the project proposal. If a joint application is successful, the Funding Agreement will be between the lead applicant and the NSW Government.

For a grant activity to be eligible it must:

• be completed within two years, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Projects will require clear and achievable milestones (e.g. moving from TRL 4 to TRL 5, developing and testing components within a TRL) to support appropriate staging and monitoring

• progress an innovation along the commercialisation pathway

• have an existing proof-of-concept (demonstrated in vitro)

• be TRL 3-6 on the TRL Scale at the time of applying for the RPG

• demonstrate why sufficient funding for the entire project cannot be accessed from alternative sources and that the project would not proceed at the proposed scale in NSW without government support

• have majority of project activities based in NSW. If project partners or locations are outside NSW, the application must explain why (e.g. to access specific capabilities, expertise or technologies not available within NSW)

• be a product that could be produced at the RNA Research and Manufacturing Facility, for example:
  

• RNA vaccines – for infectious diseases including influenza, COVID-19 and other emerging health threats

• RNA therapeutics – including mRNA-based treatments for cancers, genetic disorders and autoimmune conditions

• plasmid DNA and gene therapy components – used as templates or vectors in cell and gene therapies

• veterinary and agricultural RNA products – such as RNA-based vaccines or therapeutics for livestock, companion animal diseases and biosecurity

• RNA delivery systems – including lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations to support targeted delivery and stability.

Examples of ineligible projects include activities:

• that are deemed at the very early stages of project development—where only basic ideas have been explored (Technology Readiness Level 1–2)—or at the very end, when the technology is almost ready for full use (TRL 7 and above)

• where the basic performance of the innovation hasn’t yet been demonstrated in a laboratory setting or equivalent testing

• be a product that can’t be produced at the RNA Research and Manufacturing Facility, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) and long non-coding (lncRNA)

• projects that do not include a clear pathway to manufacturing in Australia, or that are solely focused on enabling or digital technologies (e.g. platforms, software, data tools) without a direct link to the development of a manufacturable RNA-based product.

Note this is not an exhaustive list.

Eligible RPG costs include:

• preclinical and validation studies, including proof-of-concept, safety, efficacy and stability assessments

• development and optimisation of RNA constructs, delivery systems, or manufacturing or formulation processes

• production of prototype or pilot batches and preparation for GMP manufacturing

• application of enabling technologies to improve product performance, manufacturability or cost-efficiency

• activities supporting regulatory readiness, such as pathway planning, certification or approvals

• commercialisation planning, including reimbursement strategy, market testing and feasibility studies

• engagement preparation with potential manufacturing partners

• development and protection of IP, including patent filings or advice

• access to specialist equipment, infrastructure or external expertise essential to project delivery

• salaries and project consumables directly related to the delivery of project outcomes.

Examples of ineligible RPG costs include:

• the purchase of land or property

• costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation

• project costs incurred prior to an offer of funding made to successful applications (no retrospective funding will be awarded)

• project costs that are already the subject of another government grant, subsidy or financial assistance

• general business costs including sales, marketing, rent and travel

• solutions designed to improve internal business processes

• activities that will not be delivered prior to the end of the grant funding period

Note this is not an exhaustive list.

TRLs estimate the maturity of an innovation by considering the technological concepts and requirements and demonstrated capabilities of your innovation. TRLs will be used to assess eligibility and help to define support under the RPG.

Applicants must estimate the TRL of their innovation both at the time of applying and at the projected completion date of the project.

The RPG supports projects with a commercial proposition that falls between TRL 3 and 6. Eligible projects typically have a demonstrated proof of concept that requires further development or support before market launch.

Project that are developing a theory for real-world application or an early-stage prototype (TRL 1-2) may be too early for RPG funding. Conversely, projects that are ready for commercialisation (TRL 9) or have already received significant private-sector investment may be too mature to qualify.

If you are a startup that is currently operating within a university or a research organisation that is looking to spin out, but do not have your own ABN at the time of submitting your RPG application, you may use your university’s ABN to apply.

However, please note that in such cases, the RPG Expert Panel will require substantial information and evidence demonstrating your startup has a well-developed and credible spinout plan to formally establish as a company. The RPG is a commercialisation grant, and one of the key assessment criteria is the project’s commercial potential.

The RPG supports the development and commercialisation of innovative RNA therapeutics, vaccines and related technologies (such as RNA delivery technology) with applications in health, biosecurity and agriculture.

Technologies in the biological sciences domain are supported through the Biosciences Fund (BioSF), while medical devices are funded under the Medical Devices Fund (MDF). The Physical Sciences Fund (PSF) supports technologies in the physical sciences domain.

Applicants who are eligible for funding from the MDF, PSF or other government funding programs for the same outputs and/or outcomes (excluding the BioSF) are not eligible for the RPG. This is because the RPG targets a distinct segment of the (biological) sciences market.

The Biosciences Fund, however, is complementary to the RPG. Some projects may align with the scope of both programs. In such cases, applicants may apply to both or choose the program that best suits their project, based on the respective program guidelines.

Importantly, applicants must not receive funding from both the RPG and the BioSF for the same project, outputs or deliverables. To ensure responsible use of public funds, applicants must not receive funding for the same activities from other state governments or the Commonwealth Government.

If you are successful, the funding amount will be provided to your organisation in the form of a grant in accordance with a Funding Agreement entered with the Premier’s Department. The minimum grant amount an applicant can apply for is $200,000 (excluding GST). The maximum grant amount an applicant can apply for is $3,000,000 (excluding GST).

Grants will be disbursed in two equal instalments: 50% of the total grant amount will be paid in FY 2025-26 and 50% in FY 2026-27. The first instalment will be paid upon invoicing the Department after the funding recipient has entered into a Funding Agreement with the NSW Government. The second tranche will be paid upon invoicing the Department following the satisfactory completion of Year 1 milestones.

Applicants must be registered under the GST Law at the time of making any supply under this Deed on which GST is imposed. Grants are assessable income for taxation purposes, unless exempted by a taxation law. We recommend you seek independent professional advice on your taxation obligations. We do not provide taxation advice.

Successful applicants will be required to repay grant funds where the funds are not spent in accordance with the Funding Agreement or the applicant breaches the Funding Agreement.

Applications can include co-funding proposals and potential leveraging opportunities. If other in-kind assistance is sought, these should be included in proposals where feasible and will be considered during the assessment process.

The RPG Funding Agreement will be based on the NSW Government Funding Agreement (long form). 

Yes, you can apply if you already have funding from another source(s), provided it is not another government grant funding for the same outputs and/or outcomes as the RPG (see Section 2.1.2 Eligible grant activities in the RPG Program Guidelines).

You should clearly demonstrate in your application what the RPG funding will be used for and why the funding is necessary to help you to commercialise your technology/solution. The RPG Expert Panel may not support projects where it deems that funding from the RPG is not necessary to commercialise the technology.

Should the OCSE find evidence that an applicant is receiving, or has received, funding from more than one government source for the same activities, the project will be deemed ineligible for the grant.