Apply for funding for innovation and business capacity building

Funding for projects that build local business capability, drive sector-wide innovation, and connect businesses with networking opportunities.

In progress

Applications now open
Applications close 4pm, Tuesday 1 September
This category is open once a year – applicants are notified of the outcome of their application in November
Funding available from 1 January 2027

Economic grants information session: video recording

We held an online economic grants information session on Wednesday 22 July. It covered the new grants program, what’s changed and the opportunities on offer.

Watch it now

Discuss your project or idea

The grants team is here to help. 15-minute time slots available, 14 July to 31 August.

Book a phone call

Grants team

If you have any questions, we’re here to help.

: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

Help with grants in your language

Need help with information about our grants in other languages?

About this category

This innovation and business capacity building category supports projects that grow the skills, capability and capacity of local businesses, promote sector-wide innovation and connect businesses to networking opportunities.

For example, support might fund upskilling programs, pilot projects, proposals that test new approaches, advocacy and research.

We encourage proposals that bring economic benefits such as improving local areas, supporting important skills development and creating partnerships to attract long-term local investment.

See examples of the types of projects that could be funded.

This category is part of our economic grant program. Find out more about the program’s funding priorities.

Funding available

Cash funding of up to $50,000 is available for each project up to one year. Multi-year funding (up to 3 years) is also available.

Support can include up to $10,000 for capital expenditure.

You can also request value-in-kind support, such as street banner pole hire and indoor venue hire as part of your grant application. Read our guide for what you’ll need to do to apply.

Applications for more than $25,000 must match funding in cash or value-in-kind and address further criteria.

Eligibility

✔️The project or applicant must operate in the City of Sydney local area or be able to demonstrate benefits for the area’s residents, workers and/or visitors

✔️Meet our general eligibility requirements

Who can apply

eligible not-for-profit organisation
incorporated association
co-operative
corporation
sole trader
trustee of a trust
business advocacy organisation.

Eligible local businesses, industry associations, business collectives and business chambers can apply.

Before you apply

- Confirm you’re eligible – each grants program has its own eligibility requirements, and you must also meet the City of Sydney’s general eligibility criteria
- Review our application tips and grants resources
- Gather supporting documents – such as quotes, letters from community members and partners, and any other materials that strengthen your application
- Prepare a project plan– including a timeline of activities
- Prepare a detailed, balanced budget
- Prepare risk management details – required if you’re applying for more than $25,000 in cash per year
- Arrange your documentation for any value-in-kind support – if applicable
- Applying for a grant takes time and preparation. Our step-by-step guide shows you what to do before you submit your application.
Accessible application options are available.

Applicants with disability, or from diverse cultural and language backgrounds, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants may apply in alternative formats, including verbal applications.

Accessible applications are assessed in the same way as all other applications.

Get in touch early and allow extra time for us to provide this support.

To find out more or to access this support, call us on 02 9265 9333 or email [email protected].

You can also contact us through the National Relay Service. You’ll need to provide our phone number: 02 9265 9333.
- be an individual or legal entity, or have an auspice willing to enter into a contract with the City of Sydney
- operate in the City of Sydney local area or demonstrate significant benefits to our communities
- meet the specific eligibility criteria for the grant program you’re applying for
- comply with the City of Sydney’s ethics framework
- have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) if you’re applying as a business
- have satisfactorily completed any previous City of Sydney grants projects
- be free of any debts owed to the City of Sydney.
For the economic, social and community, creative and environmental programs, you can apply for 3 projects in total.

If you work with an auspice, we encourage you to choose an organisation relevant to your sector so they can support the development of your proposal.

We welcome applications from social enterprises, community groups and individuals. To apply, you must be a legal entity.
We don’t provide grants to applicants or projects that:
- duplicate existing services or programs
- have already occurred
- breach the City of Sydney’s ethics framework or policies
- didn’t comply with their contractual obligations for previous grants
- didn’t complete a previous grants project satisfactorily
- appear to be associated with a previous recipient or grants project that didn’t comply with their contractual obligations or complete the grants project satisfactorily
- could be perceived as benefiting a political party.
Grants can’t include:
- general donations to charities, which are covered by our support for charities policy
-  funding for operational costs or overheads for the core business of an organisation
- funding for City of Sydney fees, including development applications, outdoor venue hire, health inspection fees, health approvals, street closures and other approvals or charges beyond what is specified in the grant programs
- design, printing and distribution services or cleansing and waste services already supplied by the City of Sydney.
City of Sydney employees:
- may not apply for, or benefit from, a grant directly
- should not write letters of support for grant applications.
For environmental grants, an owners corporation can still receive funding even if one of its lot owners works for the City of Sydney. This is allowed as long as the employee:
- does not own most of the lots (not a majority owner)
- has no involvement in preparing the grant application or in the grant assessment process.

Assessment criteria

A group of smiling people in business attire gather around a wooden table in an office. — Image: Abril Felman / City of Sydney

Examples of projects

These are examples of the types of projects that could be funded:

A research project for a whole industry that collects feedback from businesses through surveys, interviews and workshops. It would identify key issues and opportunities, then publish a report to help shape policy, support advocacy and connect businesses with useful networks and resources.
A program to help Aboriginal music businesses grow, run by a music industry group working together with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
A trial program for retail businesses to test reusable packaging, cut down single-use waste and try practical sustainability ideas. The results and resources would be shared with other businesses.
A training program to help hospitality businesses build skills in AI and digital marketing, so they can better engage customers, connect with their communities and run more efficiently.
An annual festival focused on startups, innovation and entrepreneurship. It would bring together founders, investors and innovators through workshops, talks and networking to support skills and economic growth.

How to apply

Applications for our grants programs must be completed online.

Before you apply, we recommend you:

review our step-by-step guide for grants applicants
check out our grant application resources.

Applications close 4pm, Tuesday 1 September.

Apply now

Glossary

Capital expenditure

Funding specifically requested for purchase, maintaining or upgrading items the applicant owns and that will be used beyond the time of the project. This includes building maintenance, upgrading technology or buying new equipment. These expenses are different from regular costs like salaries or utilities because they build and improve the offerings to communities in a more permanent way.

Priority communities

Communities that may experience heightened inequality and barriers to social, economic, cultural, political and environmental resources, services and support, including:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
people on low incomes
people renting including social housing residents
people experiencing homelessness
people with disability
people with lived experience of a mental health and/or chronic condition
people over 65
young people and children under 5
new immigrants, non-citizens and refugees
people with English as a second language
people of diverse sexualities and genders
women and girls.

Value-in-kind

Value-in-kind refers to an arrangement where the City of Sydney gives up revenue, either in full or a percentage, on things for which a fee normally applies. This may include venue hire, banner pole hire or rent.

For more information, see our value-in-kind guide.