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.

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.

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. 

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, you must be an Australian-based organisation, capable of entering into a legally binding and enforceable agreement with the Commonwealth. This includes the following entity types:

• Company
• Cooperative
• Corporate Commonwealth Entity
• Corporate State or Territory Entity
• Incorporated Association
• Indigenous Corporation
• Local Government
• Non-corporate State or Territory Entity
• Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority
• Statutory Entity

Aboriginal Land Council, Aboriginal Land Trust or Torres Strait Islander Land Trust (or equivalent entity) established under Commonwealth, state or territory legislation may apply.

Projects must include a consortium arrangement, that is 2 or more entities working together to develop and deliver an eligible project. You must appoint a ‘lead organisation’. Only the lead organisation can submit the application form and enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. The lead organisation must be an eligible entity type. Eligible organisations can form consortia with ineligible organisations. The application must identify all other members of the consortium.

Organisations can be part of more than one application. However, each individual application will be assessed on its own merits – there will be no collective consideration of applications. We actively encourage increased participation and outcomes for a diverse range of people, businesses and landscapes involved in the agricultural sector and rural, regional, and remote communities, including First Nations people.

A person or sole trader will not be eligible to lead but can be part of a consortium.

If you are applying as a trustee on behalf of a trust, the trustee must be one of the eligible entity types as listed above.

• Phone: 1800 020 283
• Email: support@communitygrants.gov.au