The Australian Government is seeking expressions of interest to establish two research centres under Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) to deliver innovative forestry research and development.
Assistant Secretary for Agvet Chemicals and Forestry Julie Gaglia said that the new research centres will support long-term innovation in the forest and wood products industry.
“The centres will focus on different research themes which are likely to include supporting Australian made solutions to climate change, sustainable forest management, and future wood supply,” Ms Gaglia said.
“AFWI research centres will work collaboratively with industry to deliver applied research that can be adopted.
“With growing demand for wood and fibre products both domestically and internationally, and the impacts of climate change, we need to deliver research that will support the management of our forests, and the wood and fibre products they produce.
“This new research will help Australian forest growers, and wood and fibre processors prepare for future demands.
“The total export value of Australian forest and wood products for 2020-21 was more than $2.9 billion. This initiative will support industry’s work towards increasing this value while creating career opportunities for forest and wood products researchers.
“We look forward to seeing what the centres will deliver.”
Expressions of interest will be used to identify and recommend applicants for the University of Tasmania (UTAS) to contract as AFWI research centres. The two research centres will be in addition to the research centre at UTAS in Launceston.
Commonwealth funding for the research centres, established under the $100 million grant to UTAS, is available from 2023-24 to 2026-27.
Expressions of interest are open from Wednesday 11 October 2023 to Wednesday 6 December 2023 for eligible organisations.
Details are available at: www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/forestry/national/australian-forest-and-wood-innovations
