GRDC: Request for Partners - Building out the Nitrogen Mission
Opportunity for
- Partners to coinvest with GRDC in delivering a breakthrough that unlocks major economic, social, and environmental benefits in the Australian grains industry, and potentially, other agricultural markets internationally.
Opportunity description
Industry challenge
Australian grain growers are among the most innovative in the world but need a breakthrough in nitrogen (N) management. GRDC has been investing in new frontiers in nitrogen management for many years and is well positioned to scale up that investment in a structured, long-term, and strategic manner via the building out of the Nitrogen Mission. The recent fertiliser supply crisis exemplifies the need to do so. Specifically, GRDC has ambitions to decrease long-term (historical) N costs as a percentage of crop revenue by 50% or more, halve current N losses to the environment, and decrease emissions intensity associated with N usage by at least 20%. In the process GRDC aims to build out world-leading research capacity and science and technology innovation in N management in the Australian grains industry.
Current opportunity
An industry briefing will be conducted on Thursday, 18 June 2026 at 2pm Canberra local time. Enquire now through growAG with Applicant’s name and location; and
full name of each of the Applicant’s representatives. (Refer to Clause 10 RFP of Terms and Conditions for more information on how to register.)
The opportunity for partners is to coinvest with GRDC in delivering a breakthrough that unlocks major economic, social, and environmental benefits in the Australian grains industry, and potentially, other agricultural markets internationally. Even a 15% reduction in long-term nitrogen fertiliser costs while maintaining yields is estimated to deliver over $1 billion AUD of value to Australian grain growers through improved gross margins and reduced financial risk.
The scope of GRDC's Nitrogen Mission:
The Nitrogen Mission will be the structured mechanism by which GRDC invests in strategic research to unlock new frontiers in nitrogen management over the next 10 years. It will comprise multiple projects working on different innovations in nitrogen. These could include but are not limited to new fertiliser technologies and application methods, new genetic technologies in biological nitrogen fixation, and new technology stacks for nitrogen management on-farm. GRDC will work collaboratively with the organisations and personnel leading existing GRDC applied research and development projects in nitrogen to explore integration with the Nitrogen Mission once its established, and where doing so adds mutual value. GRDC will continue to invest in harnessing the potential of existing solutions for nitrogen management. This includes but isn’t limited to investments in legume agronomy, improved soil testing methods, and other approaches. These types of investments will continue to be developed and procured through GRDC’s standard processes and are outside the scope of the Nitrogen Mission. The Nitrogen Mission is primarily focussed on strategic research to unlock new frontiers in nitrogen management.
Find out more and apply through the GRDC Grains Investment Portal here. Questions can be submitted through growAG or via [email protected] (attention: Brianna Oram, GRDC).
Make all requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement in writing (email) prior to 28 July 2026.
Application window closes Tuesday 1st September 2026 at 5pm AEST.
Opportunity background
As a partner, GRDC is one of the world’s leading grain research organisations. GRDC has a large existing research and development (R&D) portfolio in N and related areas, extensive research, development, and innovation networks in Australia and internationally, a strong balance sheet, and a long-term outlook. Australia is also an ideal market to incubate, develop, and scale world-leading technologies in N management given the culture of innovation, technology adoption, and adaptability in the Australian grains industry.