Innovation Grants now open for applications

Applications are now open for Caring for our Country Innovation Grants. Grants from $250,000 to $1.5 million are available for agriculture, fishing, aquaculture and farm forestry industries.

Farming system groups, industry, agribusinesses, companies in the food supply chain, research bodies, community groups, universities and individuals are encouraged to apply for the grants. Partnerships and consortiums are also eligible.

A range of projects may be eligible, including:

• Projects that promote the uptake of new and innovative practices such as permanent bed vegetable production.
• Projects that use new technology including digital information systems such as smart phone and notepad applications to deliver timely information to farmers to facilitate informed natural resource decision-making.
• Institutional and market-based approaches that involve the whole supply chain and will increase the adoption of sustainable production practices.

Innovation can be completely new technology or practices. They can also be incremental changes, such as adapting or applying an existing technology or practice in a novel way or to a new region or industry.

Senator Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, said innovation is essential to managing natural resources in a sustainable way and ensuring communities and businesses can continue to rely upon them.

“Australia’s primary producers are world leaders and many are already using innovative practices and technologies to stay at the top of their game,” Ludwig said. “The government wants to broaden the use and uptake of innovations and technologies across industries and regions.

“The Innovation Grants will help ensure Australian producers remain competitive and be leaders in sustainable food and fibre production.”

Innovation grants are part of the Caring for our Country Initiative. Applications close at 2 pm AEST on 4 July 2013. More information is available at www.nrm.gov.au.