Rural R&D funding round closing soon for Durack – 15 December

Applications for the first round of the Australian Government’s $100 million Rural Research and Development (R&D) for Profit grants programme is open until 15 December.

Melissa Price, Federal Member for Durack is urging local industry, researchers and private organisations to think creatively to develop innovative collaborations that achieve tangible benefits for primary industries.

“There are a range of producers in Durack – we have the wheatbelt, a wide variety of produce in Kununurra and on the Ord including fruits, and horticulture in Carnarvon,” Ms Price said.

“This grants programme will fund nationally coordinated, strategic research to addresses research and development priorities that will benefit producers large and small across Australia.”

Ms Price said the programme was designed to deliver beneficial and practical research and technologies to producers on the ground.

“R&D is critical to agricultural productivity—the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences has found that for every dollar the government invests in agricultural R&D, farmers generate a $12 return within 10 years,” Ms Price said.

“That means these partnerships and research dollars are also critical to delivering benefits to producers in Durack so I am hoping that local groups such as grower co-ops get involved.”

Under the programme, all 15 Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) can apply for funding. Most importantly, RDCs must partner with researchers, research agencies, funding bodies, businesses, producer groups, or not-for-profit, and provide a contribution at least equal to the requested Commonwealth.

In round one, applications must address one or more priorities in the following research, development and extension areas: increase the profitability and productivity of primary industries; increase the value of primary products; strengthen on-farm adoption and improve information flows; strengthen primary producers’ ability to adapt to opportunities and threats.

More information visit: agriculture.gov.au/rd4profit