The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has launched the Grain Adopt - Regional Development and Extension (D&E) open call, inviting applications for short-term projects that deliver practical solutions for grain growers to locally identified challenges.
An initiative of GRDC's National Grower Network (NGN), Grain Adopt seeks proposals that respond to grower-identified issues and priorities that align with GRDC's Research, Development and Extension Plan 2023-28.
Projects can be up to 40 months' duration with an indicative budget of up to $300,000.
GRDC Senior Regional Manager - West, Peter Bird, said the Grain Adopt Regional D&E open call is about problem-solving at the regional level, empowering the regions to take ownership of adoption.
"We know the best ideas often come from the ground up, and Grain Adopt provides a pathway for those ideas to become reality," Mr Bird said.
We're looking for projects that go beyond traditional approaches - activities that show creativity in how research is translated into practice. Whether it's peer-to-peer learning, innovative demonstration sites, or new ways of engaging growers, the focus is on impact and adoption.
The open call seeks proposals that:
- enable adoption of existing knowledge and proven practices
- address locally relevant, grower identified challenges
- deliver clear, measurable benefits to profitability, sustainability and resilience
- explore innovative approaches to extension and engagement that drive practice change
Examples of eligible activities include validation or demonstration sites and on-farm trials; grower forums, workshops and peer-to-peer learning; and regional initiatives that strengthen capability and accelerate adoption.
GRDC projects that have delivered impact for growers in recent seasons include a Victorian Wimmera-based initiative led by Frontier Farming Systems addressing faba bean yield instability through grower-led forums and discussion groups.
The project combined on-farm demonstrations with peer-to-peer learning and economic analysis to support growers to identify agronomic levers to improve yield stability and profitability across variable seasons.
Another project based in Western Australia led by South Coast NRM focused on the application of subsurface drainage in high rainfall zones to better manage waterlogging. By pairing engineering solutions with in-paddock grower extension and case studies, this project demonstrated productivity gains and supported more confident, economised decision-making onfarm and led to further strategic investment.
Applications are open now and close at 5.00pm AEDT on Thursday, 20 November 2025.
An industry information session for prospective applicants will be held online at 11.00am AEDT on Monday, 20 October 2025.
To apply for the Grain Adopt - Regional D&E open call, submit your proposal through the GRDC Grains Investment Portal.
