The Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) is inviting expressions of interest from potential project participants until 31 October 2017.

Agricultural and food businesses, private health providers, universities, research bodies, financial services companies, and regional development organisations are being asked to consider potential projects in anticipation of the call for expressions of interest.

CRCNA Sheriden Morris said the CRCNA board has identified critical research questions that if addressed will lower investment barriers and enable significant capital to flow to the development of Northern Australia.

The CRCNA will be investing $75m of Commonwealth funds over the next ten years to support industry-led research collaborations to develop important new technologies, products and services which address industry problems in northern Australia in the areas of:

1. Agriculture and food: Removing barriers and improving supply and value chains for new and existing Northern agricultural industries;
2. Tropical health service delivery: Identifying new models and approaches, early detection, health seeking behavior and mental health;  and
3. Traditional Owner led business development: Identifying new models and approaches and building an industry ready skilled workforce in the fields of agriculture, food and/or health industries.

“We are looking for game-changing ideas that will make a long-term improvement to the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries and communities in the North,” Ms Morris said.

To assist potential project participants the CRCNA board has posed a critical research question for each of the investment themes:

Agriculture and food: In the context of removing barriers and improving supply and value chains for new and existing Northern agricultural industries, what novel new approaches, solutions, technologies, innovations or knowledge processes does your research deliver to address the CRCNA research priorities for 2017/18?

Tropical health service delivery: In the context of removing barriers and identifying new models and approaches to early detection, improved health seeking behaviour, mental health and mental health first aid, what novel new approaches, solutions, technologies, innovations or knowledge processes does your research deliver to address the CRCNA research priorities for 2017/18?

Traditional Owner led business development: In the context of removing barriers and identifying new models and approaches of developing Traditional Owner led business development and building an industry ready skilled workforce in agriculture, food and/or health, what novel new approaches, solutions, technologies, innovations or knowledge processes does your research deliver to address the CRCNA research priorities for 2017/18?

“By presenting these critical research questions, the CRCNA is seeking to draw out projects that address or remove the most strategic barriers for development in Northern Australia,” Ms Morris said.

A fact sheet for potential project participants is available on the CRCNA website.

The expression of interest form will be available on the website from 2 October, 2017.

Source: CRCNA. Expressions of interest must be received prior to 5pm (AEST), 31 October, 2017.

UPDATE: $13.9 million announced for seven successful project applicants

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Barnaby Joyce and Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Craig Laundy today announced that seven projects will receive $13.9 million to increase their competitiveness through industry-led collaborative research to solve unique industry problems in the north.

The projects funded include:

• Developing and applying control strategies to prevent the Kunjin and Poxvirus which cause skin lesions in crocodiles. Reducing skin lesions will allow more of the crocodile skin to be used in the high-end fashion market.
• Developing sustainable cropping systems for cotton, grains and fodder by addressing knowledge gaps related to commercial-scale irrigation.
• Establishing legume crops in the vast clay soil regions of north Australia to increase livestock productivity.
• Breeding for resistance to juvenile pearl oyster mortality syndrome.

Mr Joyce said the Government’s goal was to build a strong and resilient north that delivers jobs, growth and investment.

“The initiatives form part of the Government’s agenda to unlock northern Australia’s potential for economic growth and make living and doing business in the north easier and more productive,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Laundy said the Government’s investment would leverage a further $37 million of cash and in-kind inputs from project partners, representing a co-investment of $50.9 million in commercially-focused research.

“The $13.9 million for these projects builds on the Government’s $75 million investment in the new Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia,” Mr Laundy said.

Successful project applicants

Please note: These are collaborative, multi-organisation projects, and only the lead proponent is shown here. The project activity may take place over multiple locations or in a different location to where applicants are located. Also, it was not a requirement of the funding round that applicants needed to be located in northern Australia but the projects must address an industry challenge in the north and outcomes must deliver benefits to Northern Australia.