Sign up to receive the weekly WA Innovation Calendar Newsletter!  Sign up here
X

DEADLINE: Open Sustainability Challenge

Welcome to the Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge 7th Edition!
The global momentum for sustainability continues to grow, bringing new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

Now in its seventh year, the Sustainability Open Innovation Challenge (SOIC) by Enterprise Singapore invites startups and innovators from around the world to partner with leading corporates in developing practical, scalable solutions for a more sustainable future.

This year’s challenge explores key themes including Renewable Energy, Offshore Wind, Greener Industries, Sustainable Agrifood, and Sustainable Materials. Each theme reflects pressing industry priorities and presents opportunities for innovators to pilot and scale transformative solutions in collaboration with leading corporate partners. Each challenge statement also highlights the potential sustainability impact that can be achieved through a successful solution.

DEADLINE: SIFT Facility Operator EOIs

A once-in-a-lifetime, industry-led opportunity to anchor your operations and lead Western Australia’s first shared food innovation centre – designed by industry, for industry.

SIFT is now inviting EOIs for an organisation to operate WA’s first shared food innovation centre. The Facility Operator will manage the site, run their own production and enable WA businesses to innovate, test products and scale in a high-quality environment.

This role is central to SIFT’s purpose of strengthening the state’s food and beverage sector through practical capability-building and shared infrastructure.

Part 1: Submit by 18th January 2026. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to schedule a site visit/inspection which may include a trial shift.

ATSE: WA End of Year Event

Presented by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering’s Western Australia Division

Join as early career researchers present their innovative work through engaging electronic posters and a keynote presentation by Trevor Whittington.

The highlight of the night will be a keynote presentation by Trevor Whittington, who will explore the theme; “How science and technology has helped, and will help, farmers adapt to a drying climate”

IIF Seminar | Building resilient industries: lessons from agritech, AI and circular economies

The South West Development Commission (SWDC), City of Bunbury & the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) have announced the Innovative Industries of the Future (IIF) event series, marking a new chapter of discussion, discovery and regional collaboration.

The program will begin with a series of lunchtime events leading up to the IIF Conference in November 2026. The first event, “Building resilient industries: lessons from agritech, AI and circular economies”, will explore how innovation and technology can strengthen the South West’s economic future.

DEADLINE: Speak at Bioinnovation Festival 2026

Life Sciences WA, For Blue, Innovation Cluster, and the Aquaculture Council of Western Australia Inc. are calling for Innovator Speakers to take the stage at the 2026 BioInnovation Festival Conference, taking place at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Perth on 11 March 2026.

This opportunity is not only for biotech, health, and life sciences, but also agricultural and aquacultural innovations driving impact across Australia and beyond.

This is your chance to share your story if:
🔹 You didn’t present at last year’s Festival Conference, OR
🔹 Your company has had a major development – a deal, product launch, or other significant milestone.

The EOI is open to industry, investors, WA innovators, and mature university-led projects moving toward commercialisation.

Apply here: https://www.bioinnovationfestival.com/speakers/

DEADLINE: Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program Round 8

Up to $250,000 is available for individual projects that promote sustainable jobs and workforce solutions, productivity, skills and capability building, as well as stimulating new investment and industry diversification across the region.

Each of the 9 Regional Development Commissions (RDCs) manage the grant round process for their region and will provide advice to applicants during the application process:

Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC)
Mid West Development Commission
Gayscone Development Commission
Kimberley Development Commission 
Pilbara Development Commission 
South West Development Commission
Great Southern Development Commission 
Peel Development Commission 
Wheatbelt Development Commission 

WAARC Showcase 2025

The WAARC Showcase will highlight collaboration across science, industry, and students as we work towards a stronger future for agriculture.

What to expect:
  • Keynote address: Professor Ross Kingwell on the agricultural R&D landscape in WA.
  • WAARC updates: Strategic Research Managers share updates on WAARC’s growing portfolio.
  • Project spotlights: Hear the latest on key WAARC initiatives, such as Cropping Enabled Cattle, SMART SPRAYS, HALO, and more.
  • PhD presentations: Scholarship recipients share their research and career aspirations.
  • Panel discussion: Exploring successful models of collaboration from other industries, and what they can teach agriculture.
  • NetworkingConclude the day with conversations.

DEADLINE: MAD Food Innovation Award 2025

This competitive award is designed to:

  • Support entrepreneurs and innovators tackling the global challenge of food security.
  • Accelerate the development or commercialisation of products that strengthen Australia’s food exports and food technology, particularly into Asia.

The winner will receive $50,000 sponsored by ACFEA to support a specific innovation or commercialisation project + more.

Learn more and apply here: https://mad.vc/food-award

Discover Australia Webinar: AgriFutures growᴬᴳ⋅ and evokeᴬᴳ⋅.

Interested in Australia’s agrifood tech ecosystem? Join this November for Introduction to Australia webinars hosted by AgriFutures growᴬᴳ⋅ and evokeᴬᴳ⋅.

Join to explore the unique opportunities within Australia’s agriculture and agrifood innovation sector, and gain practical insights to help you collaborate in the local market.

Hear from representatives across Australia’s states and territories as they share key industries and innovation priorities. Plus be introduced to the right people to grow your network down under.

DEADLINE: Farm Business Transition Program Round 1

The Australian Government is inviting applications in an open competitive process to apply for a grant under the Farm Business Transition Program (the program).

The grant can be used for a range of planning, professional and technical advice, application of research and development innovations and extension activities, and investment in on-farm infrastructure and improvements to increase the uptake of alternative farming systems and practices.

Grant funding of up to $75,000 per eligible applicant will be available to applicants to contribute to the future costs associated with the transition.

Co-funding of 1-1 is required for applications submitted under this program and the applicant must match the dollar value of the grant funding approved. In-kind contributions will not be counted towards matched funding.