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AgriFutures Australia Agritech Event Sponsorship Program to showcase Australian agritech and innovation
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Key Points
- This government-funded program seeks to facilitate a greater connection between end-users and those working in agritech.
- Event organisers, agritech developers and research organisations are all eligible to receive grants.
- Applications close Sunday, 3 March 2023 at 11.59pm AEDT.
In the lead up to evokeAG. on 20-21 February 2024, event organisers AgriFutures Australia have announced a new round of funding available for organisations to hold agricultural events with a technology and innovation focus in regional communities across Australia.
This second round of funding is supported by the Australian Government’s Support Regional Trade Events measure and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the AgriFutures Agritech Event Sponsorship Program serves as a catalyst showcase Australian agritech and agricultural innovation in Australia.
The program seeks to foster commercialisation opportunities, attract investment and elevate the profile of Australian agritech companies. It will connect agritech developers, primary producers, investors, research and development organisations to drive adoption and propel the industry forward.
In Round Two a total of $625,000 will be available in grants for events running between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024 across three categories:
- Event organisers in regional* Australia that are hosting agricultural events with an agritech and/or agricultural innovation focus. Event organisers can nominate for a $25,000 or $50,000 grant.
- Agritech developers who are wanting to host functions to showcase their innovations and technology to end users and/or investors. Four grants will be available of $25,000 each.
- Research and development organisations who are wanting to host functions to showcase their innovations and technology to end users and/or investors. Four grants will be available of $25,000 each.
AgriFutures Australia General Manager, Global Innovation Networks, Harriet Mellish, said the program is about ensuring a national, inclusive approach to innovation.
“Whilst we often talk about Australian agriculture in broad terms, this industry is in fact made up of hundreds of different regions and sectors, each with its own challenges and opportunities,” she said.
“An apiarist on Kangaroo Island will see innovation through an entirely different perspective from a cattle station operator in the Kimberley, yet they each have an important role to play in the Australian agriculture story.
“This program is about arming regional communities with the financial support they need to promote agricultural innovation, through their own local context.”
Historically, the larger innovation and agritech events have been held in major urban centres, but this program ensures that innovators are connected with end-users closer to the farm gate than ever before.
The AgriFutures Agritech Event Sponsorship Program is aimed at any community beyond the major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra and welcomes applications from the most remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, through to bustling regional centres.
The program is open to:
- Event organisers in regional Australia that plan to host agricultural events with an agritech and/or innovation focus.
- Agritech developers who are wanting to host functions to showcase their innovations and technology to end users and/or investors.
- Research and development organisations who are wanting to host functions to showcase their innovations and technology to end users and/or investors.
ENDS
Frequently asked questions
How do you define regional Australia?
Regional Australia – for the purposes of this program – refers to everything beyond the major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra – from remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to inland and coastal towns and bustling regional hubs.
Agritech developers and research and development organisations may be eligible to run events in a metro area if they can demonstrate the event represents value for money in delivering against the priorities of the program.
My organisation received a grant in round one, can I apply for funding in round two and/or three?
Yes, however preference will be provided to events that have not previously received funding.
I have received funding from another Commonwealth and/or State Government Department. Am I eligible?
Yes. However, if you have received funding from the Supporting Regional Trade Events measure, you are ineligible to receive this funding.
What type of functions are eligible for this funding?
An event and/or function refers to a planned gathering or occasion that focuses on agritech and/or agricultural innovation. It involves activities such as conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, trade shows, field demonstrations, or similar initiatives that aim to promote and showcase advancements, research, technologies, or practices in the agritech industry.
The event should provide opportunities for agritech developers, end users, investors, researchers, and other stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, fostering the growth and commercialisation of Australian agritech solutions.
Events and/or functions need to have a minimum of 50 participants to qualify.
How can these funds be used?
These grants can be used to cover any external expenses incurred in hosting this event. Please note grant funding cannot be used to pay internal employees.
How much funding is available?
- In Round Two a total of $625,000 will be available in grants for events running between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024 across three categories:
Event organisers in regional* Australia that are hosting agricultural events with an agritech and/or agricultural innovation focus. Event organisers can nominate for a $25,000 or $50,000 grant. - Agritech developers who are wanting to host functions to showcase their innovations and technology to end users and/or investors. Four grants will be available of $25,000 each.
- Research and development organisations who are wanting to host functions to showcase their innovations and technology to end users and/or investors. Four grants will be available of $25,000 each.
I am organising an event that falls outside of these dates. When will the next round of funding be available?
There are three rounds of funding:
Round one: $275,000 to administer for events running between 30 September – 31 March 2024. Applications will open on Monday, 17 August 2023. This has been completed.
Round two: $625,000 to administer for events running between 1 April 2024 and 31 October 2024. Applications open Monday, 29 January 2024 and close on Sunday, 3 March 2024.
Round three: $600,000 to administer for events running between 1 November 2024 and 30 June 2025. Applications will open in August 2024.
How will the applications be assessed?
The applications will be assessed and selected based on the following criteria:
- Relevance to Australian agrifood innovation
- Potential for commercialisation
- Regional impact
- Indigenous involvement
- Organisational capacity.
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