Applications for sugar research funding invited

Sugar Research Australia (SRA) is inviting researchers and postgraduate students to apply for research funding and scholarships to help build the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the Australian sugarcane industry.

Applications that address the strategic imperatives outlined in SRA’s ‘Interim Strategic Plan’ will be highly regarded, according to Professor Alan Johnson AM, chair of SRA’s Research Funding Panel.

“It’s important that the research we fund delivers a significant return on the project investment to industry, and practical outcomes that can be easily taken up on the farm and at the mill,” said Professor Johnson.

“I would like to encourage participants from within our industry, and researchers and research organisations from the broader sugar research community and other sectors, to put their best ideas forward.”

The four key strategic imperatives are:

1. Industry growth.
2. Cost and profitability.
3. Environmental and regulatory pressures.
4. Diversification.

“These imperatives were identified through consultation with industry. They reflect what our grower and milling businesses, and industry representative bodies feel are important,” Professor Johnson said.

Successful applications must clearly outline how they align with strategic imperatives and the industry need that it addresses. Applicants must also explain the outcomes the research will deliver and how adoption will be maximised.

“This is a new era of investing in our industry’s knowledge where every dollar counts,” Professor Johnson said.

“We are fully committed to only funding research projects that deliver real value to our levy payers and contribute to triple bottom line results.”