WA’s $5 Million Boost for Regional Innovation: RED Grants Round 8 Now Open
If you’ve got a regional project that’s ready to make a difference — now’s your time.
Western Australia has opened Round 8 of its Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants, with $5 million in funding available to support region-driven projects right across the state.
Since its launch in 2018-19, the RED Grants program has delivered more than $55 million in support over a ten-year commitment, backing hundreds of local projects in agriculture, tourism, Aboriginal enterprise, innovation, manufacturing, and more.
What the RED Grants Are All About
The RED Grants program is designed to keep regional WA growing — not just through big city investments, but by backing the ideas and industries that start in country towns, farms, and workshops.
Eligible projects are those that can:
· Create or sustain local jobs
· Diversify regional industries
· Build skills, knowledge, and capabilities
· Boost productivity or innovation
· Attract new investment into the regions
· Deliver clear, lasting economic benefit to local communities
Each region sets its own priorities, so proposals that align closely with local development strategies stand the best chance of success.
Funding and Eligibility
· Grants of up to $250,000 are available per project (though some regions may set lower caps).
· Applicants must be legal entities with ABNs — such as incorporated businesses, associations, cooperatives, local governments, or Aboriginal corporations.
· Applications are open from 17 October 2025 (depending on region) and close 9 January 2026.
Real Results from Past Rounds
Previous rounds have seen RED funding support everything from regional food-processing upgrades and tourism infrastructure to Aboriginal-led innovation initiatives and sustainability projects in the agri-tech and resource sectors.
These projects don’t just inject short-term funding — they help strengthen the long-term resilience of regional industries, communities, and supply chains.
Why This Matters for Regional IP Clients
At Regional IP, we see first-hand how much innovation happens outside Perth — on farms, in sheds, and across regional enterprises that rarely get the spotlight.
If you’re considering applying for a RED Grant, remember that your intellectual property (IP) strategy can be a crucial part of demonstrating project value.
Whether it’s a new product design, brand, or technology, protecting your IP:
· Strengthens your business case for public funding
· Shows investors and assessors you’ve planned for sustainability
· Helps you capture long-term economic value from your innovation
We can help you make sure your grant application highlights the commercial and IP potential of your project — so that the funding you receive builds not just equipment or facilities, but real, lasting capability.
Key Dates
· Applications Open: 17 October 2025
· Applications Close: 9 January 2026
For full details, visit your local Development Commission’s website or the WA RED Grants page.
Ready to Take Your Idea Regional?
If you’re working on a regional innovation, product, or brand and want to make sure your IP story is ready before you apply — let’s talk.
Reach out to the Regional IP team for a quick chat about protecting your ideas, preparing an IP snapshot for your grant submission, or exploring how your innovation fits within WA’s broader regional growth agenda.
Contact Regional IP — protecting and powering regional innovation since day one.