Infrastructure Grants - 2026

Overview The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is inviting Applications for infrastructure grants as part of an open, competitive, co-investment initiative (Process) designed to strengthen Australia's grains research, development and extension capability. Funding is available for both major research infrastructure projects (Tier 1) and the equipment, systems and specialist capability required to maximise their value (Tier 2), helping to deliver strategic and transformative outcomes for the Australian grains industry. Purpose The Infrastructure Grants - 2026 initiative seeks to strengthen Australia's grains research, development and extension (RD&E) capability through targeted co-investment in both physical research infrastructure and the enabling and operating capability required to maximise the value of that infrastructure. Funding GRDC seeks Applications for the funding of: The acquisition or construction of physical infrastructure to facilitate strategic and transformative grains research and development Infrastructure for enabling and operational capability to support strategic and transformative grains research and development The funding sought must be for physical infrastructure (construction or upgrade) and/or enabling and operational capability that will be used for grains RD&E in Australia. Tier 1: Physical infrastructure (construction or major upgrade) Funding that supports the construction of infrastructure such as new shared research facilities, major upgrades or expansions of existing facilities, and infrastructure with long asset lives and industry-wide significance for grains RD&E. Examples may include: Controlled-environment research infrastructure, including greenhouse and glasshouse facilities Field research and experimentation infrastructure Research infrastructure supporting breeding, genetics and crop improvement Soil, water and environmental research infrastructure Grain quality, post-harvest and seed-processing research facilities Tier 2: Enabling and operational capability Funding that supports plant and equipment, specialist systems or platforms, and dedicated coordination or technical roles required to make infrastructure operational, accessible and effectively utilised. Examples may include: Advanced sensing, monitoring and phenotyping technologies Specialist laboratory, glasshouse or field-based equipment Data, modelling and decision-support platforms Digital systems that improve research capability, accessibility or collaboration Capability investments that improve access to, integration of, or value derived from physical infrastructure An Application may relate to Tier 1, Tier 2, or both funding tiers. Funding Exclusions Funding will not be provided for, and cannot be used for: General-purpose agricultural machinery and vehicles, including but not limited to tractors, trucks, utilities, prime movers, and trailers, where these assets are readily available through commercial hire, ownership, or standard operational budgets Routine field operations equipment, such as small plot planters, plot seeders, headers, harvesters, and associated field machinery, where these assets primarily support day to day trial execution rather than enabling new or step change research capability Mobile machinery and plant that is primarily used for operational, logistical, or production purposes, and which does not constitute a specialised, shared research asset with clear cross project and cross user value Equipment intended to substitute for normal capital replacement, fleet renewal, or maintenance activities that would ordinarily be funded by host organisations or service providers Ongoing operational and maintenance costs Existing staff member salaries Administrative costs or overheads Acquisition of land or a right to use land Acquisition of water rights Purchase or financing of existing infrastructure Ongoing operating costs, such as utilities Relocating infrastructure or other assets Replacing damaged infrastructure that would otherwise be covered by insurance Infrastructure that will scarcely be used Standard office items or infrastructure Business case development or feasibility studies Costs of obtaining approvals or consents for the Project (or any activities associated with the Project) Legal, tax, regulatory or other advice relating to the Project Existing projects other than for the development of existing infrastructure as provided for in the Application Guidelines Maximum value of funding Tiers, Co-Contributions and proposed Budget Tier 1: Physical infrastructure (construction or major upgrade) - $3 million to $5 million (ex GST) per grant Tier 2: Enabling and operational capability - $500,000 to $3 million (ex GST) per grant An Applicant is required to provide a cash co-contribution to the Project either itself or through other third-party contributions of an amount at least equal to or greater than the amount of funding requested from GRDC in the Application Where an Application relates to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 funding, the Applicant must complete a separate budget worksheet for the activities proposed to be undertaken under each Tier Eligibility Applications are invited from Applicants who have planned Projects that are ready to commence on or before 31 March 2027 Applicants may submit more than one Application, provided each Application relates to a different Project, and each Application should be submitted separately An entity that is named as a member of a consortium but is not the lead consortium member (that is, the nominated Applicant) may submit a separate Application in its own right for a separate Project Contract Terms and Conditions Offers will remain open for acceptance by GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time Enquiries All requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement must be made in writing (email) prior to 25 September 2026. Attention: Grants Manager Organisation: Grains Research and Development Corporation Email: tenders@grdc.com.au