Agricultural and Primary Sector Grants
Grants are available to the primary sector. Including Agriculture, Agritech, Horticulture, Viticulture, Aquaculture and the Forestry sector. Funding is available from MAF as well as other agencies such as the Ministry of Science and Innovation.
We provide grant application and documentation services for:
• Sustainable Farming Fund
• Primary Growth Partnership
• Sustainable Land Management
• Community Irrigation Fund
• Industry specific funding schemes
• Technology Transfer Voucher
• Small R&D Grants
• Technology for Business Growth R&D Grants
• Student Grants for R&D
Sustainable Farming Fund
The purpose of the Sustainable Farming Fund is to support projects that will contribute to improving the financial and environmental performance of the land-based productive sectors. The Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) aims to help solve problems and overcome barriers to economic, social and environmental viability. The policy of the SFF is to do this by bringing together “communities of interest”. “Communities of Interest” are groups of people drawn together by a shared problem and/or opportunity in the sustainable use of resources. MAF advise that projects can include, but are not restricted to:
• Applied research and development
• Demonstration projects
• Information, knowledge and technology transfer
• Technical investigations supporting improved use and allocation of water
• Identifying barriers to, and options for, improved land use and management
• Improving decision support
• Adding value and exploring market opportunities
MAF SFF project advisors are available in Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch to help answer questions about your application. You can download the latest Sustainable Farming Fund Guidelines at www.maf.govt.nz.
Sustainable Farming Fund Grant Under $25,000
The Sustainable Farming Fund offers a grant for projects costing under $25,000. The grant is exclusive of GST. Applications are annual. The next closing date for submissions is 13 February 2012.
Sustainable Farming Fund Grant Over $25,000
The Sustainable Farming Fund offers a grant for projects costing over $25,000. The grant is exclusive of GST. Applications are annual. Submissions are usually given initial consideration in the month of October with final approvals given four or five months later.
Applied Support Services can assist you apply for these funds. To learn more contact us.
The Primary Growth Partnership
The Primary Growth Partnership fund invests in initiatives that deliver significant economic growth and sustainability across the primary sector from producer to consumer. Investments can cover the whole value chain. The minimum amount that the Primary Growth Partnership will co-invest, and which must be matched by industry co-investors, is $500,000 over the lifetime of the co-investment programme.
Industries supported include:
• Pastoral (including wool) and arable production;
• Horticulture;
• Seafood (including aquaculture);
• Forestry and wood products; and
• Food processing (including nutriceuticals and bioactives)
MAF advise “Budget 2009 included funding for PGP of $50 million for 2011/12; and $70 million per annum from 2012/13. Each programme will be a joint investment between the Crown and industry. Qualifying contributions by the co-investors must be equal to or greater than the Crown Primary Growth Partnership funding. The minimum amount that the Primary Growth Partnership will co-invest, and which must be matched by industry co-investors, is $500,000 excluding GST over the lifetime of the co-investment programme”.
MAF Advise “Investments will focus on initiatives that deliver significant economic growth and sustainability across the primary sectors from producer to consumer. Investments can cover the whole of the value chain, including education and skills development, research and development, product development, commercialisation, commercial development and technology transfer. PGP is a government-industry initiative. Almost any type of non-Crown funded industry entity, or group of investors, can apply for co-investment. All investment programmes are subject to assessment against criteria to determine if funding will be provided. However contributions, whether cash or in-kind, that are funded from government or rate-payer sources, including Crown research institutes, tertiary education institutions or territorial authorities, cannot be included as part of the investment to be matched by Crown funding. These organisations can be service providers for co-investment programme projects, or be part of a wider industry initiative that the Primary Growth Partnership co-investment programme is contributing to”.
The Primary Growth Partnership is funded in rounds. For the next funding round visit www.maf.govt.nz. Applied Support Services can assist you apply for these funds. To learn more contact us.
Sustainable Land Management Hill Country Erosion Programme
MAF advise that “The Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Hill Country Erosion Programme aims to increase protection of highly erodable land. It does this by focusing on building the technical capacity of regional councils and providing targeted funding for catchment initiatives”. This is a “contestable fund to provide targeted support for regional council initiatives that promote sustainable land management practices”.
Community Irrigation Fund
MAF advise that “The Community Irrigation Fund (CIF) is intended to help rural communities reduce the risks they face from water shortages caused by climate change. The CIF was expanded in 2009 to provide grants for local government-led water strategies that consider the potential for rural irrigation-related infrastructure. In 2010 the scope of the CIF was expanded to fund detailed engineering design work for irrigation schemes that include good environmental standards and processes. Funding covers the design stage up to completion of the final design report and/or preparation of contract documents for the construction contract”. Applied Support Services can assist you apply for these funds. To learn more contact us.
Ministry of Science and Innovation R&D Funding
The Ministry of Science and Innovation (MSI) have research and development grants available to the agriculture and primary sectors. To learn more about these grants click on the links below:
Small Research & Development grants.
Large Research & Development grants.
Student grants for Research and Development.
Technology Transfer Vouchers for agri-technology
Wool Industry Research (WIRL)
Wool Industry Research Limited (WIRL) fund both Industry Good and Company Specific research. Industry Good investments will normally be pursued through a Request for Proposals process conducted with both New Zealand based, and international research providers well in advance of the investment period. It is expected that a new RFP round will be advertised around September 2011. Companies with an interest in NZ wool are welcome to apply to WIRL for funding to support a "Company Specific" research application at any time. The WIRL Board prefer to support commercially driven proposals that will add value to, and diversify the NZ wool industry. For more information visit www.woolresearch.com
DairyNZ Incorporated: On Farm Innovation Fund
DairyNZ looks to invest a portion of levy funds into developing innovation to provide benefit to all dairy farmers. Dairy NZ advise “Expressions of Interest are accepted at any time and the review process takes about eight weeks. Applications need to clearly show what the innovation is, the expected impact on-farm, what outcomes will be met, alignment with industry needs and delivery to the next stage”. For more information visit www.dairynz.co.nz.
NZ Winegrowers Research
The New Zealand Winegrowers research programme works with a range of research partners to “generate rigorous, factually-based understanding of the many factors contributing to the economic production of high quality grapes and wine”. New Zealand Winegrowers can accept proposals anytime throughout the year. New Zealand Winegrowers runs a “two step proposal process where an applicant can fill out a relatively short EoI template that gives enough information for the committee to evaluate whether it is worth proceeding to a full proposal that ultimately would become the contract between the applicant and New Zealand Winegrowers”. For more information visit www.nzwine.com.
Useful Links:
Sources of business funding and support.
Government business grant application templates.
MAF website.
Landcare Research website.
Plant and Food website
Agresearch website.
Cawthron Institute
Industrial Research Limited
Lincoln University
Massey University
University of Waikato
Government business support.
Help with export marketing plans and export market research
Research and development project services.
Applied Support Services home page.
More Information about Business Grants:
Find out how New Zealand government business grants work.
Small Research & Development grants.
Large Research & Development grants.
Student grants for Research and Development.
Technology Transfer Vouchers for Research & Development.
Agricultural grants.
Energy grants.
This information is for summary purposes only. This information has been sourced from MAF. For the latest information on MAF funding visit their website, www.maf.govt.nz.
This page was last updated on 19 September 2011
Photo Credits:
White Star Ranch. Zane and Ngaire Evans, RD 4, Colville.
Ryton Station, Lake Coleridge.
Field Days, Mystery Creek.
Kitset Australian Shearing Shed, Gladbrook Station. Middlemarch.
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