Business Capability Support Program
Questions and Answers
Program
What are the BCSP Ministerial Guidelines? Where can I find them?
The Business Capability Support Program Ministerial Guidelines set out the full detail of the
Business Capability Support Program (BCSP), including the terms and conditions of grants
provided under the BCSP – including application process, merit criteria, eligibility criteria, eligible
projects and activities, and eligible expenditure. The Guidelines are available at:
http://www.innovation.gov.au/anmp.
What type of program is the BCSP?
It is a competitive merit based program. That is, each application will be assessed against the
program’s merit criteria and relative to the merit of other competing applications received. Not all
applications are guaranteed to be successful. Only the successful application will receive BCSP
grant funding.
How much funding is available under the BCSP?
The total amount of grants made under the BCSP must not exceed $2.6 million for the life of the
program.
Is this an extension of the Automotive Supply Chain Development Program?
The BCSP will expand on the capability development and supply chain integration done under the
Automotive Supply Chain Development Program. Under the BCSP, automotive firms will be
provided with specific capability development assistance to access new markets, either by
supplying to the global automotive industry or entering non-automotive industries.
How many rounds will there be?
There will be one round.
Why is there only one round?
To ensure consistency in the provision of these services there will only be a single grant awarded
to one recipient under the BCSP.
Why are you only awarding one grant?
This will provide consistency in service delivery and avoid duplication of capability support services
under the BCSP.
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What information and supporting documentation do I need to provide when applying?
Applicants must provide information and supporting documents sought after in the BCSP
application form. All applicable sections in the application form must be completed. The information
provided in the application form and supporting documents when assessing applications will be
considered when applications are assessed.
Who will assess applications?
The Program Delegate will assess applications.
How will you judge the merit of applications? Who makes the final decision on
applications?
All eligible applications are to be assessed against the merit criteria by the Program Delegate. The
Program Delegate makes the final decision on applications.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply for a BCSP grant, an applicant must be able to provide automotive-specific
business capability support services to assist automotive companies to develop new capabilities;
improve productivity; and apply current capabilities in new ways.
What activities are eligible for funding under the BCSP?
A project under the BCSP must involve all of the following eligible activities:

identifying and rectifying gaps in individual automotive companies and the Australian
automotive industry as a whole

implementing strategies to improve the automotive industry’s competitive advantage and
strategic positioning in the global industry

developing the managerial and leadership capability of automotive companies

developing the process and operational capability of automotive companies

assisting automotive companies to integrate or diversify into global supply chains and
non-automotive industries.
Merit Criteria
What is a Business Capability Development Plan?
The Business Capability Development Plan is a detailed business and financial plan which must
include:

a detailed description of proposed activities and how they will assist Australian automotive
companies broaden their customer and product base, both domestically and internationally;

how the business capability development service provider will undertake these activities;

the key outcomes of the proposal plans to achieve and how you propose to measure your
success in meeting these outcomes;

resource requirements;

detailed costings and budget;
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
sources and amounts of contributions to be provided by your organisation and other parties,
including in-kind contributions and other government contributions;

cost to participants; and

details on the ability to fund your share of the proposal costs. If applicable, attach financial
statements for the last financial year.
Expenditure
What is eligible expenditure under the Business Capability Support Program?
Eligible expenditure related to an eligible project activity may include:

payments to advisers, consultants, training organisations and other service providers for
business improvement and development work undertaken with automotive companies to
achieve the objective of the BCSP

other costs associated with preparing relevant materials, training and other guidance in support
of the objective of the BCSP

administration and overheads directly arising from the implementation of the approved
Business Capability Development Plan.
Program Delegate
Who is the Program Delegate?
The Head of Manufacturing Division in the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research
and Tertiary Education is the Program Delegate for the BCSP.
Grant management and payments
Who will be managing grants and making payments to the successful applicant?
The Manufacturing Division in the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and
Tertiary Education will manage the grants and make payments to the successful applicant.
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