The Battery Breakthrough Initiative (BBI) is a $500 million ARENA program designed to accelerate Australia’s battery manufacturing capability, strengthen supply chain resilience, and reduce emissions. Funding is available for projects that scale up production, commercialise new processes, and integrate advanced battery technologies.

What the grant offers

• Funding size – typically from $1 million up to $50 million per project, with ARENA co-funding determined by project merit, leverage, and alignment with national priorities
• Eligible spend – active material processing (cathodes, anodes, electrolytes), battery cell production lines, pack assembly facilities, integration of battery management systems (BMS), advanced manufacturing equipment, process innovation, and pilot-to-commercial scale-up costs
• Project length – usually 2 to 4 years, depending on the scale of manufacturing or integration activities proposed
• Assessment focus – measurable contribution to emissions reduction, enhancement of sovereign capability, supply chain resilience, clear commercialisation pathway, scalability and replication potential, technical readiness, and value for money

Who should apply

• Australian companies working in the battery value chain, from materials processing to cell and pack manufacturing
• Businesses with technologies or processes ready to move beyond lab or pilot stage into commercial deployment
• Firms able to demonstrate co-funding capacity, strong financial management, and a credible plan for scaling operations
• Organisations with the governance, technical capability, and partnerships needed to deliver at national and global scale

Why it is worth your time

• Scale manufacturing – reduce the capital burden of establishing or expanding production lines and accelerate time-to-market
• Strengthen sovereignty – build local capability and reduce reliance on imported battery technologies
• Cut emissions – enable more renewable integration by expanding reliable energy storage solutions
• De-risk commercialisation – share risk with ARENA as you move from prototype to large-scale manufacturing
• Position for exports – align with Australia’s National Battery Strategy and open access to international supply chains
• Build track record – successful delivery under BBI strengthens your credibility for future state and federal funding rounds

How Grant Savvy helps

• Eligibility clarity – confirm your project’s alignment with BBI focus areas and ARENA’s assessment criteria before investing effort
• Project framing – translate your technical advances into clear commercialisation, emissions reduction, and sovereign capability metrics
• Full application drafting – complete narratives, budgets, milestones, risk frameworks, and technical appendices written in plain English and aligned with the guidelines
• Budget and co-funding evidence – integrate supplier quotes, investment commitments, and financial forecasts to demonstrate readiness
• Stakeholder coordination – secure partner and investor letters of support to strengthen your application package
• Submission and follow-up – manage the ARENA portal submission, respond to assessor queries, and provide post-award reporting templates

Our process

• Discovery call – 15 minutes to confirm eligibility, timelines, and project scope
• Scope and quote – fixed price, defined deliverables, and project plan
• Data gathering – collect technical details, financials, supplier quotes, and partner evidence
• Drafting – prepare all narratives, milestones, budgets, and risk management material
• Review and refine – one consolidated feedback round and compliance audit against guidelines
• Lodgement – portal submission with timestamp confirmation
• Post-award support – milestone reporting, acquittals, and variation assistance

Standard turnaround: 4–6 weeks, with rush options available depending on capacity.

Applications for Round One close on 30 September 2025 at 5:00 pm AEST.

Ready to scale your project under the $500M Battery Breakthrough Initiative?