After launching our new contestable fund, the Food & Fibres Aotearoa New Zealand Challenge in December, we are now in the final stages of the process waiting on applications from the finalists.
We were thrilled to receive a significant number of Expressions of Interests and have now notified the finalists who are due to submit detailed applications by 12 March. We expect to let the successful applicants know by mid April.
We also found that some of the Expressions of Interest were appropriate for our Agribusiness Innovation Grants so encouraged applicants to progress their ideas there.
The Food & Fibres Challenge, a contestable fund for AGMARDT funding ranging from $50,000 up to $500,000 (inclusive of GST), is all about stimulating transformational change to address the big challenges for the primary sector. It is designed to get agribusinesses focused on initiatives in priority areas and working together to shape a better future for our sector and New Zealand.
We’re happy with the response to this first round and will be looking to launch the next Food & Fibres Challenge in the next few months. Watch this space.
Timeline:
- Stage 1 Expressions of Interest applications close 22 January 2021
- Notification of the Trustees’ decision will be made by 12 February 2021
- Stage 2 full funding application (by invitation only) close 12 March 2021
- Notification of the Trustees’ decision will be made by 14 April 2021