Background

To help drive a new generation of grains breeding, the GRDC Board has approved $20M of targeted investment in a strategic initiative to Accelerating Genetic Gain (AccGG). The AccGG Strategic Initiative will be deployed through a series of procurement, of which this is the first multi-stage approach to market. GRDC is seeking Responses that will address one of the following Priority Areas:

B.3 - Utilising the B genome diversity in canola

D.2 – Breeder facing AI tools

Applicants can submit a Response for either of the two Priority Areas. Applicants interested in more than one priority area must submit a separate Response for each Priority Area. GRDC encourages responses from traditional and non-traditional partners; Australian and International organisations; public and private entities; SMEs and multi-national companies. Collaborative partnerships are encouraged. There is an opportunity to collaborate with the Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry (AAGI) partnership to address these Priority Areas.

GRDC seeks Responses from parties interested in participating in a multi-stage process in relation to the Accelerating Genetic Gain Strategic Initiative – EOI #1. Specifically, GRDC seeks Responses that will address one of the following Priority Areas:

B.3 – Utilising the B genome diversity in canola

By 2029. innovative methods developed to integrate valuable segments of the B genome, without the instability and agronomic penalties that occur with the addition of the whole B genome.

D.2 – Breeder facing AI tools

Development and integration of breeder facing AI tools to maximise use of pre-breeding research outputs and improve breeding processes.

Expressing interest in more than one Priority Area

Applicants can submit a Response for either of the two Priority Areas. Applicants interested in more than one priority area must submit a separate Response for each Priority Area. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to each Priority Area.

Co-investment targets

GRDC is seeking high levels of co-investment in this procurement, with partner cash and in-kind at least matching requested GRDC investment.

Leverage opportunities through Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry

Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry (AAGI) is a GRDC strategic partnership with University of Queensland, Curtin University and University of Adelaide. AAGI has strengths in bioinformatics, machine learning and artificial intelligence. AAGI is available as an in-kind GRDC contribution to these investments. Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential support and collaborations with AAGI. To access AAGI support in the first instance, applicants must make enquiries to the AAGI Director, Dr Nathan O’Callaghan nathan.ocallaghan@curtin.edu.au.

Potential Applicants

GRDC encourages responses from traditional and non-traditional partners; Australian and International organisations; public and private entities; SMEs and multi-national companies. Collaborative partnerships are encouraged. International applicants are encouraged to apply but must demonstrate a clear benefit of research for Australian grain growers and have demonstrated the use of the developed technology in Australia by the end of the project.

Response format

For full details on Response requirements see Clause 21 below. In brief, Responses should be emailed to GRDC by the Closing Time. Responses should be not more than 10 pages in PDF format, inclusive of any supporting data, charts, images, tables, references and other supporting documentation. The Response file name/s must include the EOI Reference number. The response should address the Selection Criteria (Clause 26) and a statement against the Conditions for Participation (Clause 25).

Industry Briefing Friday 10 May 2024, 4pm AEST