The National Landcare Program’s new Smart Farming Partnerships is offering multi-year grants totalling $60 million to put in place new and innovative sustainable land management practices, which protect and improve the condition of soils, vegetation and biodiversity.

Grants will be available for experienced and skilled organisations to undertake projects to develop, trial and implement new and innovative technologies that support sustainable agriculture practices across our agricultural, fishing, aquaculture, and farm forestry industries.

These projects will allow new ideas and technologies to be shared and tested across industries and regions, which will subsequently benefit the environment while increasing their productivity and profitability.

Under the program these partnerships will:

• develop, trial and implement new and innovative technologies that protect and improve the condition of natural resources (in particular soils and vegetation)
• support productive and profitable agriculture, fishing, aquaculture and farm forestry industries
• protect Australia’s biodiversity

Industry implementation of these practices will assist the Australian Government to meet its obligations under international treaties including conventions on climate change, biological diversity and desertification.

Deadline date:

Closing date is 7th December 2017, 2pm AETD

What grants or funding is available?

The amount available is $30 million available in two intake rounds (totalling $60M), with estimated individual grant values from $250K to $4M.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible, a project must meet all of the following criteria (your application will not be processed if it does not satisfy all the criteria):

• total funding sought must be between a minimum of $250 000 and a maximum of $4 million (GST exclusive)
• applicants must form partnerships as part of delivering project outcomes
• funded project activities must be planned to be completed on or before 30 April 2022
• project must contribute to delivering against at least one of the priority outcomes
• project must address a natural resource requirement
• project must contribute to innovation
• project activities must be eligible
• funding sought must not be for ineligible activities.

The following can apply for funding:

Individuals and organisations that are legal entities capable of entering into a legally binding and enforceable agreement with the Commonwealth. This includes:

• Aboriginal Corporation
• Australian Government
• Private Company
• Public Company
• Incorporated Cooperative
• Trustee on behalf of Trust
• Incorporated Association
• Organisation established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or State/Territory legislation
• Individual/Sole Trader
• Local Government
• Partnership
• State/Territory Government

Overseas Entities and Overseas Entities operating in Australia are ineligible to apply for funding however they can participate as a collaborating partner.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must also:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for the purposes of GST
• have an account with an Australian financial institution.

Each partnership will have a nominated lead proponent and supporting/additional partners. The Australian Government is keen to support projects that are delivered by parties working together in partnership as this adds value and will more effectively deliver the outcomes. Applicants are encouraged to consider a wide range of possible partners, such as:

• Technology/ Emerging technology groups
• Industry associations and bodies
• Farming systems groups
• Landcare and community groups
• Aquaculture and commercial fisheries organisations
• Regional natural resource management organisations
• Research and development bodies including Rural Research and Development Corporations
• Universities
• Local, state and territory governments
• Farmers and fishers
• Groups whose membership is predominantly made up of Indigenous Australians or people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
• Agribusinesses and other supply chain businesses

Depending on the type of innovation, applicants may need to consider whether it is appropriate to work with new partners and not just those currently involved in natural resource management delivery.

Activities must also contribute to one or more of the following:

• soil health
• conserving or restoring Australia’s native biodiversity
• climate change adaptation
• greenhouse gas emissions management
• sustainable agriculture and natural resource management that supports any of the above.

What is the assessment criteria?

All criteria will be weighted equally.

1.Demonstrate how the development and implementation of your project will contribute to the Smart Farming Partnership outcomes.

• Describe how the project will deliver clear and measurable achievements against the Smart Farming Partnerships outcomes
• Describe how the project will contribute to the natural resource management requirements, specifically how this will deliver benefits to the broader community
• Describe the type of activities to be funded to deliver the outcomes

Where relevant and appropriate, explain:

• The appropriateness of the scale and degree of intervention proposed
• How the project builds on the collective knowledge of what works best
• Any related National Landcare Program investments.

2. Demonstrate how your project contributes to innovation in delivering against the Smart Farming Partnership outcomes

• The underpinning scientific research and evidence and demonstrated ‘proof of concept’
• Suitability for adoption by farmers, fishers, land managers and/or groups involved in natural resource management
• The use of the most effective delivery mechanisms
• Technical feasibility.

3. Demonstrate your capability to successfully deliver the grant project in the chosen location(s), on time and within budget

• Outline your history in administering grants funding or your collaboration with appropriate partners to deliver the project
• Outline your expertise, or access to relevant expertise required to achieve the project outcomes
• Outline the governance arrangements of the project, including your capacity for reporting and project management
• Outline the way in which relevant partnerships will operate both administratively and practically and the benefit they will provide to the project
• Outline any risks associated with the grant activities, and explain how they will be managed and mitigated.

4. Demonstrate how you will establish partnerships and engage with the community to achieve project outcomes

• Describe how you will incorporate effective partnerships to achieve the full, end-to- end delivery of your project, noting that the mandatory partnerships must have a nominated lead proponent.
• Describe your engagement with relevant stakeholders and partners including, where relevant, details of participation of:
  • Indigenous groups/communities in planning and implementation
  • How the project supports and engages culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

How do I apply?

To apply, fill out the online Application Form.

Smart Farming Partnership Grant Guidelines

Want to get the best possible result?

Don’t wait till it’s too late.  Working with Treadstone means you get the maximum grant with minimum risk and effort. We provide expert advice and take care of your application, allowing you to continue to focus on your essential business operations.

Treadstone is an experienced, outcome focused team with a proven track record of success since 2008; recently securing three $1m+ grants for our clients.

To ensure you have the best chance of getting grant funding contact us or call 03 9008 5937.