NGN Open Call (2026/27)

The Grains Research and Development Corporation is inviting proposals for short‑term, low‑risk development and extension activities that respond to locally identified issues and priorities raised by farmers. These projects may include extension events, workshops, grower forums, on‑farm trials, demonstration sites and regional programmes that facilitate the adoption of proven knowledge and practical solutions. The submissions must be aligned with the GRDC R&D & E Strategy, demonstrate a clear, measurable impact on growers’ profitability, sustainability and resilience, and be supported by evidence of grower prioritisation.

Proposals must be completed using the RFP template within the Grains Investment Portal, adhere to the specified formatting and page limits, and provide budget details in the GRDC Budget Template. Eligible investment categories are communication materials, extension activities and demonstration trials, with a maximum project duration of 40 months and an indicative budget cap of $300,000 GST ex. Out‑of‑scope items include digital tools requiring ongoing support, proof‑of‑concept projects, research without a clear extension path, product comparison studies, off‑label agrichemical use, and duplication of existing R&D.

All activities must meet the mandatory conditions for participation, including compliance with relevant Australian labour and anti‑slavery legislation, and must not involve entities subject to sanctions or with unresolved employee entitlement claims. Activities that meet these criteria will deliver tangible, locally relevant benefits to Australian grain growers by translating research into practice and promoting rapid adoption of existing technologies. All projects must demonstrate adherence to GRDC’s R&D & E Standards.

In 2025/26 GRDC launched the NGN Open Call (formerly known as Grain Adopt) as a pilot to leverage the grower networks of industry stakeholders and deliver short term, locally responsive development and extension aligned with GRDC’s RD&E Strategy.

The 2026/27 NGN open Call is an opportunity to put forward investment proposals that respond to grower-identified issues and priorities and align with GRDC’s RD&E Strategy. This is an open, competitive process and not all applicants may be awarded funding.

The proposals supported will be short-term, low-risk development and extension (D&E) activities that address locally identified issues that are grower priorities, support adoption and problem-solving at the regional level. They will deliver clear benefits to growers’ profitability, sustainability, and resilience in alignment with GRDC’s strategic priorities.

Details of tender process:

Specific proposal details will be covered by applicants in the Request for Proposal (RFP) template and within the following parameters:

•            Duration: maximum of 40 months

•            Indicative budget per investment: Up to $300,000 GST ex.

•            Focus: activities that enable adoption of existing knowledge, address locally relevant challenges, and provide practical solutions for growers

•            Impact: be able to demonstrate change

•            Local: demonstrated locally relevant issue. Examples of locally prioritised issues can be found and interrogated on the GRDC National Grower Network National Issue Register. Issues can originate from outside of the National Grower Network consultative process, provided there is clear evidence of grower prioritisation.

•            Applicants must complete the RFP template. Submission of answers through the fields in the Grains Investment Portal will make applicants ineligible for consideration. Use of templates or formatting not in line with the RFP will also make applicants ineligible.

•            No negotiation on contract terms will occur under this pathway.

Examples of eligible activities include:

•            Extension events, workshops, and grower forums.

•            Validation or demonstration sites and on-farm trials that show the proven effects of a technology or practice in a real-world setting to facilitate adoption by local farmers, focusing on practical application.

•            Regional programs that strengthen capability and improve the translation of research into practice.

Examples of out-of-scope activities include:

•            Development of digital support tools or assets that will require ongoing management and support

•            Proof-of-Concept projects

•            Research with no demonstration or clear extension pathway

•            Direct comparisons of products or brands

•            Off-label use patterns of agrichemicals

•            Duplication of existing RD&E – applicants will need to address how the work complements existing RD&E activities where relevant

It is advised that applicants check the investment and current opportunities listings on the GRDC website to check potential overlap or where there might be opportunities to leverage existing investment.

All proposals must demonstrate alignment with the GRDC RD&E Strategy and articulate the expected on-the-ground impact for growers. Proposals will demonstrate clear definition of the issue and evidence of priority support by growers.

Outcome: Demonstration and extension activities that enable adoption of existing knowledge, address locally relevant challenges, and provide practical solutions for growers.

 

Outputs.

Output1.

Title: Regional D&E Open Call

The Open Call will support multiple proposals covering one or a combination of the following investment categories: <span">

1. Communication materials.

2. Extension activities, and/or

3. Demonstration and validation trials.

Location: ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane Multi Agency Access: No Panel Arrangement: No Multi-stage: No Other Instructions: Minimum Form and Content Requirements The following are the mandatory content and format requirements that the Tenderer must complete and provide to participate in this procurement process: 1 Submit Tenders using the Grains Investment Portal. 2 Write Tenders in English and express any measurements in Australian legal units of measurement. 3 Budget details must be submitted on the ‘GRDC Budget Template’ provided in the Grains Investment Portal. 4 Applicants must complete the Proposal Application document and upload it via the Grains Investment Portal. 5 Applications must meet the Page Limits and Formatting stipulated in the Proposal Application document Evaluation Criteria In the table below are the Evaluation Criteria that the Tender Evaluation Team will use to assess the value for money of all Tenders. Conditions for Participation: Conditions for Participation The following are mandatory conditions with which a Tenderer must comply to participate in this procurement process: 1 The Tenderer must be a single legal entity or recognised firm of partners except where the Tender is submitted by a consortium and the Tender specifies that each member of the proposed consortium will be party to the contract. 2 The Tenderer and any proposed subcontractor must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 and any other applicable labour laws and standards in the jurisdiction in which they operate. 3 The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not have a judicial decision against it (not including decisions under appeal) relating to employee entitlements and who have not paid the claim. 4 The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not be named on the Consolidated List, being the list of persons and entities who are subject to targeted financial sanctions or travel bans under Australian sanction laws, as maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 5 Timeframe for Delivery: It is anticipated that any resultant contract in relation to this procurement will commence with a maximum proposed term of 40 months. Estimated Value (AUD): From $300,000.00 to $300,000.00 Address for Lodgement: Submit your Tender through the Grains Investment Portal