Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program

The four-year, $35 million Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program (RFPIPP) aims to boost the productivity and competitiveness of Australia’s regional food and seafood industries through innovation and technology improvements.

$10 million of the $35 million will be set aside for the seafood industry.

Under the program, matched-funding grants, generally between $50,000 and $2 million, are available for food and seafood businesses to undertake projects based around one or more of the following activities:

• The design and implementation of new technologies, production or processing techniques.
• The adoption of food production or processing technologies developed overseas.
• The innovative redesign of existing production/processing lines to improve efficiencies and productivity.

There are two steps involved in the application process:

Step 1: Expression of interest

You are required to register your interest, via email, preferably using the PDF form on the government website. This form collects simple information about your business and will be used to make an initial determination of your eligibility.

Your expression of interest should be clear, concise and convincing. The Department is not looking for the full detail; just enough information to allow it to determine whether your project is likely to be eligible.

On receipt of your registration, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will send you a customised expression of interest form for you to complete.

Step 2: Application

If, based on your expression of interest, your project is deemed likely to be both eligible and competitive, you will be invited to submit an application.

RFPIPP guidelines, supplementary information and frequently asked questions and application forms are available online. Round 1 expressions of interest close on 9 February 2009.