A first call by Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited (APRIL) for research to enhance the competiveness and sustainability of the Australasian pork industry has resulted in 14 proposals being funded to a value of almost one million dollars. All successful proposals included a 20% to 25% cash contribution from applicants, giving a total cash budget for the first round of approximately $1.2 million. At its April 23 meeting the APRIL Board also approved $100,000 for education in 2018/19, which will support an Industry Placement Program, similar to that successfully initiated in Pork CRC, plus top up postgraduate scholarships and honours projects. The first APRIL honours project has been approved at University of Melbourne. According to APRIL Interim CEO, Roger Campbell, most R&D proposals were recommended with modification and all applicants have now been advised. “The research portfolio contains very innovative proposals and provides APRIL with an exciting and positive start, with the first results expected within 12 to18 months,” Dr Campbell said.