GRDC funding to help boost grains research infrastructure

GRDC board chair and Qld graingrower John Woods announced the new infrastructure investment program at the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus, saying it was designed to support research partners in creating critical, long-term capacity and capability.

"We have some of the best researchers and technicians in the world working in Australia and to continue to attract and retain these quality specialists we need to have the best infrastructure and equipment," he said.

"GRDC is investing in infrastructure to ensure our research community has every opportunity to drive outcomes that deliver genuine returns on-farm for growers.

"This investment comes on the back of extraordinary seasons in 2020 and 2021 in terms of gross value of production nationally and solidifies our unwavering commitment to support RD&E that improves growers' bottom lines."

Mr Woods said this was an investment that would make a "genuine difference".

"Our investments must make an impact and building Australia's research capacity is critical for the future of the grains industry for generations to come," he said.

Through this initiative, GRDC grants will be available for grains research and development infrastructure projects located in Australia.

To be eligible applicants must provide a minimum co-contribution of 20 per cent for projects up to $1 million and of 30pc for projects of $1m and above.

Applications for these grants will open Friday, September 30.

This is the second time GRDC has invested in infrastructure to build R&D capacity.

In 2017, the organisation invested $15m across 15 grants, which had a positive impact on the grains industry's research outcomes, as well as the agricultural sector more broadly.

Successful recipients ranged from major universities to farming groups, with many reporting the new infrastructure had fast tracked new research outcomes to growers, drought proofed key trial sites or allowed for the expansion of major research projects.

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The Waite Campus was one of the recipients of the 2017 funding, with $1.1m invested, with a co-contribution from the University of Adelaide of more than $196,000, for a controlled environment growth room.

University of Adelaide's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Anton Middelberg welcomed the announcement, describing it as "strategically important" to future research.

The latest GRDC infrastructure grants are designed to support the building of new infrastructure, or the enhancement of existing facilities, including glasshouses, greenhouses, irrigation works, laboratories or sheds.

The grants can be also used for sensing and communication equipment, farm and research equipment and sample preparation and analytical equipment.