• Charles Sturt is an Innovation District Partner for the COVID-19 R&D Challenge
• The third round’s theme is Entrepreneurship and is calling on solutions to boost the economy post pandemic
• The highest-ranked applicant will receive $250,000

Charles Sturt University is looking for the best and brightest ideas to strengthen entrepreneurship capability in a post-COVID-19 economy.

Charles Sturt’s Innovation Hubs has teamed with the NSW government’s Boosting Business Innovation Program (BBIP) for the COVID-19 R&D Challenge as an Innovation District Partner.

The challenge is seeking businesses that have solutions to a series of challenges as part of the third COVID-19 Challenges with the theme of Entrepreneurship.

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney the Honourable Stuart Ayres announced the third challenge and said organisers want to see inspired solutions to build local strengths and global competitiveness.

Charles Sturt Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Associate Professor Jason White said this is a chance for small and medium sized enterprises in regional NSW to devise a solution to a global problem.

“It is a privilege to be a District Innovation Partner for this COVID-19 R&D Challenge,” he said.

“We’re proud of the innovative solutions put forward by the extraordinary founders from across regional NSW and the Charles Sturt University footprint to counter the negative impact of COVID-19.”

Charles Sturt Innovation Hubs’ Project Officer Ms Siobhain Howard said the University is excited to be a partner of this challenge.

“We have incredibly innovative thinkers and solutions that are born in regional NSW,” she said.

“We would like to see small to medium sized businesses from our communities be a part of this challenge and contribute to a thriving post-COVID-19 economy.”

The highest-ranked applicant will receive $250,000, the second-highest ranked applicant will receive $100,000 and the third-highest ranked applicant will receive $30,000.

The highest-ranked applicant in each Innovation District that is not a state-wide overall recipient will be granted $10,000.

Check your eligibility to enter on the Charles Sturt website.

Expressions of interest close at 5pm on Friday 27 August.