Buffel Grass Management at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

2026-11-03

In 2025/26 GRDC launched the NGN Open Call (formerly known as Grain Adopt) as a pilot to leverage the grower networks of industry stakeholders and deliver short term, locally responsive development and extension aligned with GRDC’s RD&E Strategy. The 2026/27 NGN open Call is an opportunity to put forward investment proposals that respond to grower-identified issues and priorities and align with GRDC’s RD&E Strategy. This is an open, competitive process and not all applicants may be awarded funding. The proposals supported will be short-term, low-risk development and extension (D&E) activities that address locally identified issues that are grower priorities, support adoption and problem-solving at the regional level. They will deliver clear benefits to growers’ profitability, sustainability, and resilience in alignment with GRDC’s strategic priorities. Details of tender process: Specific proposal details will be covered by applicants in the Request for Proposal (RFP) template and within the following parameters: • Duration: maximum of 40 months • Indicative budget per investment: Up to $300,000 GST ex. • Focus: activities that enable adoption of existing knowledge, address locally relevant challenges, and provide practical solutions for growers • Impact: be able to demonstrate change • Local: demonstrated locally relevant issue. Examples of locally prioritised issues can be found and interrogated on the GRDC National Grower Network National Issue Register. Issues can originate from outside of the National Grower Network consultative process, provided there is clear evidence of grower prioritisation. • Applicants must complete the RFP template. Submission of answers through the fields in the Grains Investment Portal will make applicants ineligible for consideration. Use of templates or formatting not in line with the RFP will also make applicants ineligible. • No negotiation on contract terms will occur under this pathway. Examples of eligible activities include: • Extension events, workshops, and grower forums. • Validation or demonstration sites and on-farm trials that show the proven effects of a technology or practice in a real-world setting to facilitate adoption by local farmers, focusing on practical application. • Regional programs that strengthen capability and improve the translation of research into practice. Examples of out-of-scope activities include: • Development of digital support tools or assets that will require ongoing management and support • Proof-of-Concept projects • Research with no demonstration or clear extension pathway • Direct comparisons of products or brands • Off-label use patterns of agrichemicals • Duplication of existing RD&E – applicants will need to address how the work complements existing RD&E activities where relevant It is advised that applicants check the investment and current opportunities listings on the GRDC website to check potential overlap or where there might be opportunities to leverage existing investment. All proposals must demonstrate alignment with the GRDC RD&E Strategy and articulate the expected on-the-ground impact for growers. Proposals will demonstrate clear definition of the issue and evidence of priority support by growers. Outcome: Demonstration and extension activities that enable adoption of existing knowledge, address locally relevant challenges, and provide practical solutions for growers. Outputs. Output1. Title: Regional D&E Open Call Description: The Open Call will support multiple proposals covering one or a combination of the following investment categories: <span"> 1. Communication materials. 2. Extension activities, and/or 3. Demonstration and validation trials.

Australia

2026-08-01