About APRIL
The Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd. (APRIL) is a participant-funded, independent organisation committed to advancing science within the Australian pork industry. We invest in research and development, education and training, and commercialisation to support long-term sustainability of pork production and deliver strong returns for our stakeholders.
Funding opportunities
APRIL offers a number of funding opportunities throughout the year for research projects, education and training.
OPEN NOW:
Applications close 28th November 2025
Applications close 1st December 2025
ALWAYS AVALIABLE:
- Expression of interest for APRIL Kickstart Program
- APRIL Commercialisation Projects
Visit the Funding Opportunities page for more information
Education and training opportunities
A key part of APRIL’s Strategic Plan is education and training, to assist with human capacity building for the Australasian pork industry.
Call for APIETC Education and Training Opportunities Coming Soon.
OPEN NOW:
Applications close 1st December 2025
Latest news from APRIL
The APRIL Research and Development Advisory Committee (RDAC) met on Thursday 23rd of October and reviewed 29 Expressions of Interest.
Congratulations to the EOI applicants invited to submit Full Research Proposals to APRIL Industry Priority Projects. Find out more about applying for a full research proposal here.
APRIL is pleased to announce a call for applications for its Industry Placement Program (IPP) Award.
This scheme aims to attract graduates having an interest in pork production as a career by co-sponsoring a position in a commercial pork production organisation or an affiliated business strongly aligned to pork production, whilst continuing the awardee’s development and understanding of how research and development, education and training, technology, and extension/adoption can enhance industry competitiveness and success.
This award is only available to APRIL Participants with the rights and benefits applying according to an organisation’s tier of participation.
Further information on the Award and the IPP application form can be found here.
The APRIL Enterprise Award will be granted to an individual (or individuals) working in the pork industry that can demonstrate innovation and excellence in one or more of the following themes:
- Innovations resulting in new products, methodologies and/or services.
- Potential for accelerated adoption of an innovation to improve performance and efficiency.
- Potential for commercialisation opportunities through APRIL.
Find out more here
APRIL project 5A-111
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kate Plush (SunPork Group)
New evidence suggests that something as simple as the grind size of feed may influence piglet development before birth.
Coarser feed particles often bypass digestion in the small intestine and reach the hindgut, where they serve as fermentable material for beneficial microbes. This hindgut fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which has been linked to improved fetal growth in rat studies.
Research question: Could feeding sows a coarser-ground diet during gestation (with 40% of particles >1 mm) enhance piglet growth and development in utero?
See full post here
Industry news
Catch a summary of APRIL project 6A-105 in the latest Australian Pork Newspaper:
Bio-Secure Food Waste to Feed Pigs – Page 6
