The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has launched the Grain Adopt – Regional Development and Extension (D&E) open call, inviting applications for short-term projects delivering practical solutions for grain growers to local challenges.
An initiative of GRDC’s National Grower Network, Grain Adopt seeks proposals responding to grower-identified issues and priorities that align with GRDC’s Research, Development and Extension Plan 2023-28.
Projects can be up to 40 months’ duration, with a budget of up to $300,000.
GRDC’s senior regional manager for the West region Peter Bird said the Grain Adopt Regional D&E open call was about problem-solving at the regional level, empowering the regions to take ownership of adoption.
“We know the best ideas often come from the ground up, and Grain Adopt provides a pathway for those ideas to become reality,” he said.
“We’re looking for projects that go beyond traditional approaches – activities that show creativity in how research is translated into practice. Whether it’s peer-to-peer learning, innovative demonstration sites, or new ways of engaging growers, the focus is on impact and adoption.”
The open call seeks proposals that enable adoption of existing knowledge and proven practices; address locally relevant, grower identified challenges; deliver clear, measurable benefits to profitability, sustainability and resilience; and explore innovative approaches to extension and engagement that drive practice change.
Examples include validation or demonstration sites and on-farm trials; grower forums, workshops and peer-to-peer learning; and regional initiatives that strengthen capability and accelerate adoption.
Applications close at 5pm AEDT on Thursday 20 November.
To apply to the open call, submit your proposal through grdc.com.au/research/partnering-in-rde-investment/opportunities/current-opportunities/grain-adopt-regional-d-and-e-open-call