Future Drought Fund: Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program

The Australian Government is inviting consortia via an open competitive process to apply for grants under the Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program (the program). It is anticipated that the program will support grants valued up to $8 million dollars per grant, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.

The program will fund innovative and transformational practices that have the potential to positively influence (socially, economically and/or environmentally) the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of Australian farms from the impacts of drought and climate change. 

Projects will have a focus on grain cropping, livestock grazing and/or mixed cropping and livestock systems. Projects will test, refine, and demonstrate the effectiveness (or otherwise) of yet to be proven farming practices in a robust scientific manner. The testing of these practices will underpin and assist to drive widespread adoption through increased evidence and by providing farmers with the confidence and information they need to try the practices themselves.

Applications are being sought from collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional consortia including farmers. Each consortium must nominate a lead organisation who will be solely accountable to the department for the delivery of the activities and manage the grant funds in accordance with the funding agreement.