Technology Trade and International Partnering Program
Victoria's Technology Trade and International Partnering (TRIP) Program provides grant assistance for eligible Victorian companies to attend recognised overseas conferences, trade events and meetings with regulatory authorities. Participants will need to demonstrate market outcomes achieved as a result of attendance.
TRIP has been developed by the Victorian Government to support the growth and internationalisation of Victorian biotechnology (including health, industrial and agricultural biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics) and small technology (microtechnology and nanotechnology) companies.
The grant covers eligible expenses including a contribution towards airfares and accommodation. Where applicable, it also covers the cost of conference entry, non-confidential pitching documents and presentation materials, the exhibition stand and other promotional costs. To apply, click here.
Nature of Assistance
| Type of Grant | Definition | Grant Amount (excl. GST) |
Conference Participant | A person representing an eligible company attending an international conference held overseas. | Recovery of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $2,500 |
| Conference Presenter or Investment Pitch | A person representing an eligible biotechnology company at an international conference or forum held overseas. | Recovery of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $3,000 |
| Meeting with Regulatory Authority | A person representing an eligible company attending a meeting with an international regulatory authority overseas. | Recovery of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $2,500 |
| Exhibitor in a shared stand | An eligible biotechnology company that shares an exhibition stand with a co-exhibitor at an international exhibition held overseas. A co-exhibitor may be a Victorian or multinational company, an industry association, an educational institution or an Australian government agency. | 50 percent recovery of eligible expenses,
up to a maximum of $4,000 |
| Sole Exhibitor | An eligible company exhibiting in a non-shared stand at an international exhibition held overseas. | 50 percent of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $8,000 |
| First Time Sole Exhibitor | An eligible biotechnology company, that has never accessed the program and is exhibiting in a non-shared stand at an international exhibition held overseas. The first time sole exhibitor grant provides incentive for Victorian companies to exhibit internationally and assistance to develop promotional materials. This grant can only be accessed once. | 50 percent recovery of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000 |
Where can I go?
Eligible companies are able to apply for grant assistance to attend any overseas conference or trade event so long as the event is relevant to biotechnology and/or small technologies. In addition, companies are able to apply for assistance to attend meetings with relevant international regulatory authorities.
Examples include but are not limited to: BIO Annual Convention USA, BioPartnering Europe, BioPartnering North America, BIO CEO & Investor Conference, JP Morgan Healthcare, Medica, Bio Japan, Bio Europe, C21 BioVentures, Allicense, BIO Asia, NSTI USA, Nano Japan, Hanover Messe Germany, investor conferences, international regulatory body meetings (eg. FDA, MHR,EU notified bodies, SFDA etc).
What does it mean for me?
By participating in conferences and trade events companies can:
- develop skills and knowledge to enhance business competitiveness
- build international connections such as new international business relationships or partnering opportunities
- build their business by improving sales, deal making or capital raising
- enhance their international profile by entering new international markets
- attract foreign investment and secure international licensing deals
- benchmark products and services against the world's best
- better understand international regulatory requirements
- explore and adopt new and emerging technologies
How often can I apply for grant assistance?
Eligible Victorian biotechnology companies can receive up to three grants in a financial year. Only one grant per company per overseas trip is permitted.
How does this fit in with other export assistance programs on offer?
Note that this program operates in conjunction with the TRIP- ICT and eligible companies may access a maximum of three grants across both programs.
Companies must declare that alternative funding for the same expenses has not been sought or obtained.
Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to apply if you are a Victorian biotechnology company that:
- employs fewer than 200 employees in Victoria where the principal business activity is in biotechnology and small technology
- is an incorporated commercial entity based and headquartered in Victoria
- engages in R&D and development of products or services in Victoria
- is able to lodge a complete application at least two weeks prior to the event and provide all claim documentation within six weeks after the event
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
- a wholly owned subsidiary of a foreign company
- academic and research institutions, distributors and other service providers. Service providers are defined as organisations that provide ancillary business services to biotechnology companies, where those ancillary services are not specific to the biotechnology industry (e.g. legal and accounting services).
Companies must declare that alternative funding for the same expenses has not been sought or obtained.
Contact and Further Information
Tel: (+61 3) 9655 1066 or
Tel: (+61 3) 9651 9016
Email: trip_bst@dbi.vic.gov.au