GO8482: Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program Round 3

The Australian Government, through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the Department), invites applications for grants, through a targeted competitive process, under the Future Drought Fund Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program Round 3 (the Program).

The Program builds on the success of the existing Long-term Trials Rounds 1 and 2, which are delivering projects to investigate innovative and transformational cropping, grazing, horticulture and mixed farming practices through the lens of drought resilience and associated risk management.

The Program objectives remain the same as previous rounds, to investigate innovative farming practices and technologies through evidence-based trials to inform farmers, and foster transformational change to build economic, environmental and social resilience to drought and climate variability.

The Program will support extensions to existing trials under the Long-term Trials Round 1 program and new projects from the recommended but unfunded applicants to the Long-term Trials Round 1 and Round 2 programs.

Projects will commence from 2026–27.

Up to $20 million (GST exclusive) is available over 4 years, with a minimum of $2 million and a maximum of $5 million per project.

Projects must use robust, scientific trials to test, refine, and demonstrate the effectiveness of practices and technologies.

This evidence-based approach is designed to support and drive adoption by providing farmers with the confidence to apply new techniques on farm and at scale.

Larger and longer-term projects are encouraged to deliver lasting change.

Applicants must be one of the organisations specifically listed in Table 1 of the guidelines and must have received an invitation to apply through GrantConnect.

Applicants must have an active Australian Business Number, an account with an Australian financial institution, and include farmers and/or farmer-led organisations.

Applications must be submitted by the invited lead organisation on behalf of a consortium of two or more entities, identify all consortium members, and include farmer representation.

The proposed project must align with program objectives, focus on an eligible agricultural industry, cost between $2 million and $5 million GST exclusive, be delivered over four years from 2026-27, and involve long-term trials that can be scientifically validated.