What is Climate-Smart Agriculture Grants?
The Australian Government is investing $302.1 million over five years (2023-24 to 2027-28) under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, a key initiative of the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT). This program supports sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and industry resilience by funding projects that help farmers and landholders adopt climate-smart practices.
What Is the Program About?
The Climate-Smart Agriculture program helps the agriculture sector:
- Reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change.
- Access carbon and biodiversity incentives and industry sustainability frameworks.
- Protect and enhance natural capital and biodiversity while improving productivity.
Funding Streams
The program consists of three key funding streams:
Partnerships and Innovation
- Funding – $45 million over four years (2024-25 to 2027-28).
- Purpose – Supports medium to large-scale projects focused on developing, trialling, and implementing climate-smart tools and on-farm practices.
Capacity Building
- Funding – $25.5 million over four years (2024-25 to 2027-28).
- Purpose – Strengthens community engagement and knowledge-sharing in sustainable agriculture.
- Grant amounts – $250,000 to $3,000,000.
Small Grants
- Funding – $2.5 million over two years (2024-25 to 2026-27).
- Purpose – Supports community groups, Landcare groups, First Nations organisations, and research bodies in adopting sustainable agriculture practices.
Who is Eligible?
To apply, you must:
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Be a permanent resident of Australia.
- Have an Australian financial institution account.
- Be financially viable.
- Be located in Australia.
Eligible entity types include:
- Companies
- Cooperatives
- Local Governments
- Indigenous Corporations
- Incorporated Associations
- Statutory Entities
- Sole Traders
Consortiums and partnerships can apply but must nominate a lead organisation that meets the eligibility criteria.
Who Is Not Eligible?
You are not eligible if you are:
- An international entity.
- An unincorporated association (unless applying through a legal parent organisation).
- A partnership (unless an individual entity applies on behalf of the partnership).
- A non-corporate Commonwealth entity or statutory authority.
- On the National Redress Scheme’s non-participating institutions list.
- Listed as non-compliant on the Workplace Gender Equality Agency website.
Eligible Grant Activities
Funding can support a variety of activities that promote sustainable agriculture, including:
- Field days, workshops, and training sessions to increase climate-smart agriculture knowledge.
- Applied research and on-farm trials to test new sustainable agriculture techniques.
- Decision support tools and technology for farmers and land managers.
- Mentoring programs and networks to share knowledge.
- Projects led by First Nations groups to integrate traditional knowledge into agriculture.
- Demonstration projects showcasing best-practice land management.
- Sustainability frameworks and farm carbon accounting initiatives.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review the Guidelines
Before applying, read the full grant guidelines on GrantConnect. The guidelines include eligibility requirements, assessment criteria, and mandatory documentation.
Step 2: Complete the Applicaion Form
- Applications must be submitted online through GrantConnect.
- Ensure all sections are completed, and provide all required details.
- Address all eligibility and assessment criteria clearly.
Step 3: Attach Required Documents
You must include:
- A detailed project budget (mandatory template provided).
- A project management plan (mandatory template provided).
- A risk management plan (mandatory template provided).
- Letters of support (if applying as a consortium).
- Trust Deed (if applying as a Trustee on behalf of a Trust).
Step 4: Submit Your Application
- Applications must be submitted before 9:00 pm AEDT on 31 March 2025.
- Late applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Step 5: Assessment Process
- Applications will be assessed against eligibility and assessment criteria.
- A Selection Advisory Panel will review shortlisted applications.
- The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will make the final funding decisions.
Step 6: Notification of Outcome
- Successful applicants will be notified once grant agreements are finalised.
- If unsuccessful, applicants can reapply in future rounds with updated proposals.
Why This Matters
Agriculture plays a key role in achieving Australia’s Net Zero emissions goals. By investing in climate-smart practices, this program helps:
- Reduce carbon footprints.
- Strengthen farm resilience to droughts, floods, and climate variability.
- Enhance biodiversity and sustainability in food production.
Timing
- Capacity Building Round 2
Opens: 18 February 2025
Closes: 31 March 2025
Partnerships and Innovation and Small Grants are closed. The program runs until 2027-28, with more funding rounds expected.
