APRIL calls for applications for pork research projects

The member-based research entity said it would continue the research, education, training and commercialisation of the successful Pork CRC for high-integrity Australian pork, which concludes on 30 June 2019.

Innovation projects can be for around 12 to 15 months, have a maximum budget of AU$50,000 to AU$75,000 and require a minimum external cash co-investment of 25% of the total cash cost of the project.

APRIL said there would be two calls per calendar year for innovation projects, with the first deadline on 17 May 2019. 

Its commercialisation projects, which are open for application all year, are for a product or technology that may be close to completion and where additional co-investment could bring it to fruition.

These projects require a co-investment external contribution of 20% of the total cash project cost. Duration is negotiable if beyond 12 months.

APRIL CEO and chief scientist John Pluske said the income from the commercialisation projects were a focus for the organisation.

“APRIL wants to be seen as ​a catalyst for innovation and a key co-funder of research for the overall benefit of Australasia’s pork industry​,” he said.  

“The innovation and commercialisation projects are an important pillar of APRIL’s strategic direction and complement our longer term research initiatives, which will soon be announced and detailed​.

“We are encouraging thinking outside the box to engage smart new ways to tackle current and emerging pork industry challenges​.”

It said that innovation project proposals must demonstrate “originality, uniqueness and creativity​”.

APRIL commercialisation and research impact manager Charles Rikard-Bell said: “They should establish new concepts or challenge existing ones, address significant challenges or critical barriers to progress and be able to improve or apply new theoretical concepts, methodologies or tools to benefit industry​.”

APRIL and Pork CRC have already successfully commercialised and managed research technologies of benefit to Australasia’s pork industry.

Applications can be lodged by researchers currently working in the pork industry, but are also welcomed from individuals and organisations not necessarily with a direct affiliation with the Australasian pork industry.