Innovate with nbn® returns to back regional Australia’s brightest ideas
3 minute read
Applications are now open for the 2026 Innovate with nbn® Grants Program, with a share of $125,000 in funding available to help regional and remote businesses take their ideas even further.
Delivered in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), the program celebrates regional businesses and organisations using digital technology and connectivity to solve local challenges, create opportunities and strengthen regional communities.
Now in its seventh year, the program showcases the creativity and ambition that exists right across regional and remote Australia.
Seven category winners will each receive a $15,000 grant, with all winners also in the running for the overall Innovate with nbn Champion Award, worth an additional $20,000.
New categories reflect how regional Australia is innovating
The 2026 program features refreshed categories designed to better reflect the way regional and remote communities are innovating today.
Categories include:
- AgTech and Environment
- Arts, Culture & Tourism
- Education
- First Nations Business
- Health and Wellbeing
- Innovation for Productivity
- Women in Regional Business
The new Innovation for Productivity category has been introduced to recognise a broader range of digital, community and business-led innovations that are creating meaningful impact in regional Australia.
Celebrating regional ambition
Gavin Williams, nbn Chief Development Officer Regional and Remote, said the program shines a light on the innovators, changemakers and business leaders who have found innovative ways to grow, adapt and deliver well beyond their postcode.
“Innovate with nbn is about celebrating the businesses backing ideas, investing in their communities and showing what is possible in regional Australia.”
“We’ve refreshed the categories, introducing the new Innovation for Productivity category, to better reflect the many ways regional and remote businesses are shaping the digital economy.
“Our advice to entrants is simple. Show us what you’re doing that’s innovative, why it matters and who it helps. The strongest entries combine innovation with real-world impact and a genuine connection to the communities they serve.”
Liz Ritchie, Regional Australia Institute CEO, said the grants program is an annual highlight and recognises the ingenuity of regional businesses finding practical, technology-led solutions to local and national challenges.
“The Innovate program helps to prove that with the right tools and services, it doesn’t matter if you’re in Warialda, Winton or Wodonga, you can develop meaningful solutions that can help grow your business.”
“Running a business in regional or remote Australia isn’t easy, but challenge often breeds creativity - and this program is about backing that creativity.”
What makes a winning application?
The strongest applications do more than present a clever idea.
Past winners have demonstrated:
- A genuine innovation or unique approach
- Clear social, community or economic impact
- An authentic story grounded in local needs
- A strong connection to their regional community
- Effective use of digital technology and connectivity
Apply now
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be located in regional Australia
- Be connected to the nbn network
- Hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Have an Australian bank account corresponding to that ABN
- Apply in one category only
Businesses who were previously unsuccessful are also encouraged to enter.
Applications close on 12 October 2026.