Expression of Interest: Australian truffle industry five-year program of research

Background

The AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program aims to grow the value and diversity of Australia’s rural economy by driving the growth or development of emerging, high-potential rural industries.

The Australian truffle 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 truffles.

The Australian Truffle Industry Association (ATIA) has a robust Strategic Plan (2021-2026) with well-defined research and development priorities to assist the growth and development of the industry over the next five years.

This Program of Research may focus on, but are not limited to, the following priorities. Priorities will be refined through workshops and discussion:

1. Improve grower operations
2. Phenology and environment (including Life Cycle analysis)
3. Biosecurity including industry mapping
4. Market expansion and logistics optimisation

This collaborative program of research will bring together research organisations and industry participants to carry out and amplify research in the Australian truffle industry.

Download full guidelines here

Timeline

Service Requirements

The program of work will be managed by one research organisation (the ‘managing research organisation’), who will be responsible for:

• coordinating all research projects across the focus areas and service providers within the program, including all sub-contracts, Participation Agreements and Material Transfer Agreements.
• all milestone reporting to AgriFutures Australia, including collating all trial results into singular reports that demonstrate the connectedness and collaboration of projects.
• maintenance of collaboration and connectedness of individuals and organisations within the program.
• ensuring regular engagement and communications with AgriFutures, acting as a conduit, ensuring adequate information exchange for decision-making.

Submissions

Applicants are required to complete the application form via the online SmartyGrants application system. Please ensure you complete the application relevant to you:

• Research organisation*
• Industry participant

* 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

Contact

If you have any questions about the EOI process or requirements in the management services, please contact:

Dr Kerinne Harvey
Manager, Emerging Industries