AgriFutures Australia is currently seeking expressions of interest from research organisations and industry participants to be involved in a five-year program of research in the Australian coffee industry.
This Expression of Interest closes 12 noon (AEDT) Friday, 7 February 2025.
Background
The AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program helps grow the value and diversity of Australia’s rural economy by driving the growth or development of emerging, high potential rural industries. This is done through research that explores opportunities for growth and through skills development for industry leaders. Our goal is to sustainably grow developing rural industries and help them reach new markets.
The Australian coffee industry has been identified as an industry with high growth potential. AgriFutures Australia is looking to invest in a large collaborative five-year program of research in Australian coffee.
Service requirements
AgriFutures Australia is currently seeking expressions of interest from interested Managing Research Organisations (MROs), research organisations, and industry participants to be involved in the five-year program of research in the Australian coffee industry. This program of research will be made up of multiple research projects and require a strong consortium-based approach, which is co-designed with industry and research providers.
Research organisations requirements
- Interest in the Australian coffee industry.
- Relevant skills and experience in coffee or similar crops.
- Willingness to collaborate with others, with examples of past collaborations.
- Ability to deliver projects on time.
- Willingness to provide cash and/or in-kind contributions.
Managing research organisations requirements
- Effective management of large research programs, including multiple service providers and sub-contracts.
- Ability to consolidate milestone reports from various researchers into a cohesive overall report.
- Oversight of all trials and management of Material Transfer Agreements.
- Logistical management of multiple locations.
- Efficient communication with funding bodies.
- Willingness to provide cash and in-kind contributions.
Industry participants requirements
- Industry participants refer to those involved, or want to be involved, in the Australian coffee supply chain. It is anticipated that industry participants may include producers, distributors, exporters, and other industry stakeholders
- Industry participants will be required to identify what contribution they would bring to the program in their EOI response. For example, a producer could be willing to provide their land for a trial site.
Timeline
Date |
Activity |
Friday, 6 December 2024 |
Invitation issue |
Tuesday, 24 December 2024 |
End of period for questions or requests for information |
Friday, 7 February 2025 |
Closing time for invitees’ response |
Friday, 21 February 2025 |
Intended completion date of evaluation of invitees’ responses |
Friday, 28 February 2025 |
Intended date of notification of outcome for management research organisation, research organisation, and industry participants |
Week commencing 17 March 2025 |
Intended date for face-to-face workshop |
Monday, 28 April 2025 |
Intended date for Full Research Proposals to be submitted in AgriFutures project management system (K2) |
Tuesday, 1 July 2025 |
Intended date to begin program of research (execution of contract between AgriFutures Australia and the Managing Research Organisation) |
Sunday, 30 June 2030 |
Intended end date of coffee industry program of research |
Submissions
Applicants are required to complete the application form via the online SmartyGrants application system. Please ensure you complete the application relevant to you:
* If you wish to be considered for the Managing Research Organisation role, please ensure you nominate this on the application form, and populate the section under ‘Additional section for managing research organisations.’
Terms of reference
AgriFutures Australia uses standard form contracts and agreements for projects and research procured by AgriFutures Australia. These contracts and agreements set out the terms on which AgriFutures Australia will engage successful applicants to carry out the project.
Applicants must be familiar with the contracts and agreements before submitting a response and are advised to seek legal advice beforehand.
These contracts and agreements have been developed to reflect AgriFutures Australia’s statutory and other procurement responsibilities.
If you require any amendments to the standard agreement, please complete the statement of non-compliance for each of the relevant clause. AgriFutures will then assess those requests.
Applicants will be taken to have agreed to all clauses in the Research Agreement that are not referred to in a statement of non-compliance. The extent of any non-compliance will be a factor in AgriFutures Australia’s evaluation of the application.
If you require further information regarding these contracts and agreements, please, contact AgriFutures legal support via email