Economic accelerator grants offered in NRF priority areas

The first round of Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) grants is now open to researchers and industry in key areas identified by the federal government such as refining and processing of critical minerals, renewable hydrogen, and green metals. $180 million in funding is available for university researchers and their industry partners to commercialise research related to…

AgTech gets a boost in Victoria

The Victorian government is providing a new wave of funding for agriculture tech startup companies. State Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence, unveiled an additional $1 million in funding under the AgTech Grants program, which will provide up to $50,000 for eligible startups. The program is delivered in partnership with LaunchVic, the state’s startup agency, which…

UQ team develops potential prevention and cure for invasive fungal disease in plants

New research from a University of Queensland team published in Communications Biology shows a promising treatment for myrtle rust, using engineered RNA and applied to crops through an environmentally-friendly spray. According to a statement from UQ, Mitter Lab researchers Professor Neena Mitter, PhD candidate Rebecca Degnan and Dr Anne Sawyer found that both infection in…

SA AgTech Growth Fund winners announced

Seven South Australian companies supporting primary production and agribusiness have been awarded approximately $600,000 in grants from the second round of the state government’s AgTech Growth Fund, designed to accelerate development and commercialisation. Grants of up to $100,000 are offered through the program to technologies addressing industry challenges regarding drought resilience and climate adaptation; carbon…