NGN Open Call (2026/27)
Tender ID: 618544
Tender Details
Tender Description
The 2026/27 NGN open Call is an opportunity to put forward regionally relevant development and extension 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.
Description:
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.
Offer period
Offers will remain open for acceptance by the GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time.
Document contact and enquiries
Attention: Lyndal Gordon, Contracts Administrator
Grains Research and Development Corporation
Email: Lyndal.Gordon@grdc.com.au
Make all requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement in writing (email) prior to 5 August 2026.
GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests on the GRDC website under Questions and Answers at the bottom of this webpage.
Consortia response
GRDC will accept Tenders from Consortia.
Lodgement of tender
Submit your tender response electronically through the Grains Investment Portal.
Please read the Tender Submission Tip Sheet before applying.
Industry Briefing:
Please see link below for the Industry Briefing which is taking place on the 15 July 2026 1:30pm (Qld time).
Location
New South Wales : Central West : Far North Coast : Far West : Hunter : Illawarra : Mid North Coast : Murray : New England : Orana : Riverina : Southern Highlands : Sydney
Queensland : Cairns & Far North Queensland : Gladstone : Mackay Whitsunday Region : Mount Isa & North West Region : Rockhampton : South East Queensland : South West & Darling Downs : The Central West : Townsville : Wide Bay Burnett
Victoria : Barwon South West : Gippsland : Grampians : Hume : Loddon Mallee : Melbourne
South Australia : Adelaide : Eyre & Western : Far North : Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island : Limestone Coast : Murray & Mallee : York & Mid North
Northern Territory : Barkly : Big Rivers : Central Australia : East Arnhem : Greater Darwin : Top End
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania
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