$11.8 million to be invested in WA’s agrifood sector

The Department of Agriculture and Food, WA is pleased to advise two grant schemes will open on 5 December 2016, to grow WA’s agrifood sector.

The grants form part of the Agriculture Sciences R&D Fund, managed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, with Royalties for Regions investment.

Up to $11.8 million will be invested in WA’s agrifood sector to stimulate research and innovation along supply and value chains through the Grower Group R&D Grants Program – round 2, and the Industry Grants for International Competitiveness (IGIC).

Please note both grant programs are open to applicants who were successful in Grower Group R&D Grants Program Round 1.

Grower Groups R&D Grants Program – round 2

The Grower Groups R&D Grants Program awarded $6.7 million to 16 grower groups across Western Australia in its inaugural round – view successful projects from round 1 here.

• Round 2 Expressions of interest will open on Monday, 5 December 2016, and close on Friday, 10 February 2017
• Eligible applicants include WA-based, incorporated grower groups, and not-for profit, farmer-driven organisations with an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• While commercial companies, non-agricultural not-for profits and public sector research institutions are not eligible to apply in their own right, their participation as a project partner/collaborator is strongly encouraged
• Up to $10.5 million is available in Round 2
• Individual grants amounts are between $20,000 and $500,000
• Projects must be completed before 31 March 2019
• Essential grant information, including submission guidelines, eligibility criteria will be made available on DAFWA’s Grower Groups R&D Grants Program closer to the opening date of grants
• Round 2 Expressions of interest from eligible organisations must be submitted online using the SmartyGrants program, which will open on Monday, December 5, 2016.

Industry Grants for International Competitiveness (IGIC)

The IGIC program will invest up to $1.3 million in grants to support organisations working together along supply/value chains, who see their future as part of an internationally competitive export-oriented agrifood sector.

• Grants open on Monday, 5 December 2016 and close on Tuesday 24 January 2017
• Industry Consortia can apply for grants between $20,000 and $100,000 to develop strategies to drive international competitiveness at the enterprise and value chain level
• The primary applicant for IGIC funding must be a WA-based agribusiness, recognised Grower Group or other not-for profit, farmer-driven organisation with an Australian Business Number and registered for GST
• Projects must be completed before 31 March 2019
• Essential grant information, including submission guidelines, eligibility criteria will be made available on DAFWA’s IGIC webpage closer to the opening date of grants
• Expressions of interest from eligible organisations must be submitted online using the SmartyGrants program, which will open on Monday, December 5, 2016
• The IGIC program is a targeted response to the Pathways to Competitiveness Report.  Grant applications should align with opportunities identified in the report
• Industry Consortia are considered to be alliances involving combinations of agrifood businesses, industry organisations, recognised Grower Groups and professional service providers.

The IGIC and Grower Group R&D Grants programs are part of the $22.1 million Agriculture Sciences R&D Fund managed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, with Royalties for Regions investment.