Discover more about our Science Award partners
AgriFutures Australia
AgriFutures Australia is the trading name for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Our vision is to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries by investing in:
- Research and development for established industries that do not have their own Research and Development Corporation (RDC), including the rice, chicken meat, honey bee and pollination, thoroughbred horse, pasture seeds, export fodder, ginger, tea tree oil, buffalo, kangaroo, goat fibre and deer industries.
- Research and development to accelerate the establishment and expansion of new and emerging rural industries.
- Initiatives that attract capable people into careers in agriculture, build the capability of future rural leaders, and support change makers and thought leaders.
- Research and analysis to understand and address important issues on the horizon for Australian agriculture.
A complete list of industries in the AgriFutures Australia portfolio is available on the website agrifutures.com.au.
Australian Eggs
Australian Eggs is a member owned not-for-profit company providing marketing and innovation services for the benefit of Australian egg farmers.
Working together with the egg industry and the Australian Government, Australian Eggs strives to deliver value to industry and the public by investing in programs that increase egg consumption and ensure industry sustainability.
All known Australian egg farmers are serviced by Australian Eggs, irrespective of their size, location or farming system.
Australian Eggs conducts research across a wide range of topic areas including:
- Flock health and biosecurity
- Hen nutrition
- Environmental sustainability
- Food safety and nutrition
- Animal welfare
- Extension, adoption and technology transfer.
We welcome applications that will further our knowledge, solve problems and deliver solutions to industry in these areas, with preference given to projects focused on biosecurity, food safety and animal welfare. Applications should align with the Australian Eggs Strategic Plan 2021-2026, available at www.australianeggs.org.au.
Australian Meat Processor Corporation
The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) is the rural Research and Development Corporation that supports the red meat processing industry throughout Australia. AMPC’s mandate is to provide research, development and extension services that improve the sustainability, efficiency and profitability of the sector.
Red meat processor levies are strategically invested in research, development and extension programs that are aligned to targeted marketing initiatives. These programs deliver outcomes and benefits for both the Australian red meat processing industry and the broader Australian community.
Visit AMPC’s website for more: www.ampc.com.au.
Australian Pork Limited
Australian Pork Limited (APL) is the national representative body representing Australian pork producers.
As a producer-owned company, APL is responsible for enhancing the viability of Australia’s pork producers and industry supply chain. We work closely with key industry and government stakeholders and pursue opportunities for the industry at both the domestic and international level to contribute to a thriving pork industry.
This is achieved by delivering integrated research and development, marketing, and strategic policy outcomes for the benefit of the Australian pig industry. Find out more at australianpork.com.au or for recipes and tips, visit pork.com.au.
Australian Wool Innovation
Australian Wool Innovation is responsible for delivering the research, development, extension and marketing functions for the Australian wool industry. In carrying out this role, AWI invests along the global supply chain for Australian wool – from woolgrowers to consumers – to deliver outcomes that benefit Australian woolgrowers.
Project areas for applicants should focus on the strategies and programs identified in the AWI Strategic Plan 2022 – 2025. Only RD&E projects will be considered.
Visit www.wool.com.
Cotton Research and Development Corporation
The 2023 Science and Innovation Awards are supported by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) as part of its commitment to investing in world-leading RD&E for Australia’s dynamic cotton industry.
CRDC invests along the entire cotton supply chain - from the farm to the customer. One of CRDC’s core focus areas under its Strategic RD&E Plan 2018-23 is its investment in building the adaptive capacity of its people – enhancing cotton’s scientific research capability, acquiring new talent, and facilitating the local and global exchange of ideas.
As such, CRDC supports and rewards young scientists for their exploration of concepts and creation of new knowledge in the pursuit of scientific breakthroughs – like the 2021 recipient Demi Sargent who is helping to protect the cotton industry from the effects of climate change, and the 2022 recipient Dr Xiaoqing Li who is working to improve cotton’s traceability.
CRDC strongly believes in investing in the cotton industry’s most important resource – people – to help it achieve its vision: powering the success of Australian cotton through world-leading RD&E. For more, visit www.crdc.com.au.
CSIRO Biosecurity digital innovation
With increasing global trade and greater connections, Australia faces growing biosecurity threats. Diseases, pests, invasive animals and plants can inflict damage to our crops, livestock and farm profits, and unique environment, while emerging infectious disease threaten human health.
CSIRO assembles strong multi-disciplinary research teams to tackle major national and international biosecurity challenges. We protect the health of our farming sector, environment, people, and our way of life.
We work with government and industry to assist in responding quickly to stop threats and provide sustainable management strategies. We are exploring new technologies for detection, surveillance, diagnosis and response for invasive organisms, while also lifting preparedness for human pandemics such as COVID-19.
We aim for a biosecurity system that is pre-emptive, responsive, resilient, and based on cutting edge surveillance, informatics and new technologies for integrated response.
For the 2023 Science and Innovation Awards CSIRO is looking for entrepreneurial ideas that apply digital technologies and approaches to increase the efficiencies of the Australian biosecurity system from prevention through to management including market access and traceability. Applications must:
- involve either a digital technology or approach to increase the efficiency or effectiveness of a currently analogue biosecurity process in government, trade or industry
- develop the idea in the context of the market and customers so that by the end of the award the idea is well positioned to attract incubator funding from a commercialisation pathway program
Visit https://www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/industries/health/health/biosecurity-futures
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
FRDC’s mission is to act as a national thought leader, facilitating knowledge creation, collaboration and innovation in Indigenous, commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture for the benefit of the Australian people.
We plan, invest in and manage R&D and ensure that the resulting knowledge and innovation is adopted for impact.
Building the capability and capacity of people involved in aquaculture and fishing is one of the five enabling strategies in FRDC’s 2020-25 R&D Plan. This includes supporting the development of emerging scientists to help tackle the many challenges faced by fishing and aquaculture.
FRDC works with diverse, complex and geographically dispersed stakeholders across Australian fishing and aquaculture.
We’re looking for applicants with outstanding ideas, who will bring knowledge and innovation to deliver results including increased economic, social and environmental benefits to our stakeholders and the wider community.
This is an opportunity to enhance your career and build your networks with other researchers, fishing and aquaculture businesses and FRDC. We encourage applicants to read the FRDC five key R&D Plan 2020-2025 Outcomes and visit www.frdc.com.au.
Forest & Wood Products Australia
Forest & Wood Products Australia Limited (FWPA) is a not-for-profit company that provides national, integrated research and development services to the Australian forest and wood products industry. We are committed to helping the forest and wood products industry to be collaborative, innovative, sustainable and competitive against other industries and products available in the marketplace. We support research and development that promotes internationally competitive and environmentally sustainable practices. We promote activities that enhance employment opportunities and contribute to growing Australia’s reputation as an innovative producer of high-quality forest and wood products. The goal of all our initiatives is to further develop the thriving and sustainable forest and wood products industry by growing the market, improving efficiencies and increasing profitability. For more information visit Forest & Wood Products Australia http://www.fwpa.com.au/.
Grains Research and Development Corporation
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is responsible for investing in research, development and extension (RD&E) to drive the discovery, development and delivery of world-class innovation for Australian grain growers.
The Australian grains industry plays a vital role in Australia’s economy, comprising 27% ($17.7 billion) of the total value of farm production in 2020-21. GRDC invests over $180 million a year in RD&E on behalf of growers to enhance the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their farm businesses, with benefits to the grains industry and wider community.
We partner with leading international experts on innovative RD&E across a diverse portfolio of over 700 projects. For GRDC, investment in the Science and Innovation Awards is an investment in the capacity and ability of the grains RD&E community to continue to deliver world-class, impactful research.
Our purpose is to invest in RD&E to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers. Our vision is a profitable and sustainable Australian grains industry, valued by the wider community.
For more information about us, our investments, and priorities visit www.grdc.com.au.
Hort Innovation
Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australia’s $15 billion+ horticulture sector, which is the fastest-growing sector across all of agriculture. Each year the company invests more than $120 million into exciting R&D, trade, extension and marketing initiatives on behalf of Aussie growers and others involved in horticulture. We’re dedicated to providing the best knowledge and solutions to our growers, to in turn drive a prosperous and healthy Australia. More information about the company, how we’re funded, and details of our hundreds of projects can be found at horticulture.com.au.
Wine Australia
Wine Australia seeks to foster and encourage profitable, resilient and sustainable Australian winegrape and wine businesses by investing in research and development, building markets, disseminating market information and knowledge, encouraging adoption and ensuring compliance through our regulatory functions.
We invest for the Australian grape and wine sector’s success.
Our funders are grapegrowers through the grape research levy, wine producers through the wine grape levy, wine exporters through the wine export charge, and the Australian Government through its matching funding for investments in research, development and adoption (RD&A). Other customers include those employed by grape and wine businesses; national, state and regional representative organisations; researchers; state governments; and wine industry suppliers.
Our continued support of the Science and Innovation Awards is one example of our commitment to fostering the development of the next generation of scientists who will help to drive an innovative future for the Australian grape and wine sector.
Applicants are encouraged to visit wineaustralia.com and view the priorities and strategies outlined in our Strategic Plan 2010–2025 when developing applications.