Events, grants and scholarships
DPIRD Supported Events
Explore the benefits of soil testing
Join the Regional Estuaries Initiative at sites throughout the South West and South Coast to see the benefits of using soil testing to make better fertiliser decisions. All field walks are free and are an excellent opportunity to discuss fertiliser management with fellow farmers and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) officers.
- Peel-Harvey catchment – 16 October 2018
- Wilson Inlet catchment – 23 October 2018
- Lower Blackwood catchment – 25 October 2018
- Geographe catchment – 31 October 2018
- Oyster Harbour catchment– 7 November 2018
For more detail and to RSVP, visit the Explore the benefits or soil testing webpage.
Global Food Industry Trends - What do they mean for your business, 16 October 2018, Busselton
Professor David Hughes will provide enlightening presentations to WA premium food and beverage value-adding businesses in the South West. The seminars will provide an overview of global food and beverage industry trends and offer strategies to help shape businesses to adapt to changing consumer and retail demands.
Pest and disease management workshop (vineyards), 16 October 2018, Swan Valley
International, national and local experts will present the latest research and sustainable practices for managing vineyard pests and diseases. Key presenters Professor Wayne Wilcox and Dr Bob Emmett.
Pest and disease management workshop (vineyards), 17 October 2018, Margaret River
International, national and local experts will present the latest research and sustainable practices for managing vineyard pests and diseases. Key presenters Professor Wayne Wilcox and Dr Bob Emmett.
Global Food Industry Trends - What do they mean for your business, 18 October 2018, Wanneroo
Professor David Hughes will provide enlightening presentations to WA premium food and beverage value-adding businesses in the Wheatbelt and peri-urban areas north of Perth.. The seminars will provide an overview of global food and beverage industry trends and offer strategies to help shape businesses to adapt to changing consumer and retail demands.
Pest and disease management workshop (vineyards), 19 October 2018, Mount Barker
International, national and local experts will present the latest research and sustainable practices for managing vineyard pests and diseases. Key presenters Professor Wayne Wilcox and Dr Bob Emmett.
Biosecurity Blitz 2018, 19 October - 16 November 2018, Statewide
Biosecurity Blitz 2018 will give everyone an opportunity to discover and report to us as many interesting or damaging pests (animals, insects, diseases and weeds) as possible across Western Australia over one month.
Grants - new this edition
Value Add Agribusiness Investment Attraction Fund, close 19 October 2018
Aims to create jobs and drive productivity and capability of this growing industry sector. It is open to WA, interstate and international agribusinesses looking to invest, expand or relocate value adding processing or food and beverage production facilities in Western Australia.
WA Internet of things DecisionAg grant program, close 19 October 2018
Aims to establish digital agricultural technology on reference farms throughout WA’s Wheatbelt. Successful applicants will trial on-farm telecommunications network solutions, decision tools and analytic data platforms essentially assisting growers to make more informed, data-driven decisions.
2019 Agrifuture Rural Womens's Award, close 31 October 2018
The AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in rural industries, businesses and communities. The Award provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.
Regional Economic Grants, close 2nd November 2018
In recognition of the high level of community support for small grant programs in the regions, the RED Grants program is being implemented to boost investment in local regional projects that contribute to economic growth initiatives, local marketing and innovation pilots, and importantly are driven by the regional communities.
Grainbelt Digital Enhancement Project, EOI's due 2 November 2018
The aim of the Grainbelt Digital Enhancement Program is to deliver high capacity broadband and improved access to digital technology to far-reaching, broad coverage areas throughout WA's Grainbelt. The EOI process will identify suitable capable organisations to work with the State Government to deliver consistent, high capacity broadband services to all recipients throughout the Grainbelt.
Grants - ongoing
Regional New Industries Fund, applications opened 3 October and there is currently no set closing date.
The State Government is committed to building regional economies that are entrepreneurial, creative and technology-driven to create sustainable job opportunities for regional people. Any regionally-based organisation or individual interested in innovation and business development is encouraged to register to their interest with their local Regional Development Commission
Scholarships
WA sheep industry scholarships, closes 31 October 2018
The WA sheep industry scholarship program is designed to support and encourage individuals who wish to pursue further study by addressing key industry questions relevant to the sheep industry supply chain in WA.
Combine agtech scholarships, undefined closing date.
Combine scholarships are open to agtech start-ups, from idea to late stage.
Supported by DPIRD and CBH, the scholarship offers start-ups businesses three months, free co-working space at a dedicated space in the Perth CBD.
As part of the scholarship, entrepreneurs will also have access to a mentoring network to develop viable business products.