APRIL Transformational Projects
APRIL (The Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited; ABN 25 113 703 174) is seeking applications for its Transformational Projects scheme, for commencement in 2026.
An independent, participant-based entity, APRIL seeks to enhance the Australian pork industry by investing in research and development, education and training, and commercialisation activities focused on priorities and deliverables that ensure the sustainability of Australian pork production, and to generate optimal returns for its stakeholders.
Background
APRIL will seek to leverage its funds by strategically investing in Transformational Projects. APRIL wishes to be an active co-funder of these projects and is seeking collaborations with other partners to co-invest with to address research priorities for the Australian pork industry.
Each year, a selected group of researchers, producers and industry stakeholders form the Pork Industry Insight Panel (PIIP) to identify research priorities for the Australian pork industry. These insights are then reflected in the Green Paper, a strategic (unbinding) document that highlights the major challenges, opportunities and research needs across the sector. The Green paper is overseen by the industry’s Chief Scientist, the document helps to ensure research remains relevant and coordinated across both APL and APRIL research funding bodies.
The APRIL Board has recently reviewed the 2024 Green Paper R&D Priorities and is seeking applications that clearly address the challenges of, and provide solutions for, each of the following R&D priorities:
- Pig Care and Wellbeing
Expected outcomes:
Providing novel tools or approaches to support continuous improvement and assessment of pig care and wellbeing and demonstrate the welfare credentials of Australian pork.
Key Research Areas:
- Generation of a suit of suitable biomarkers indicating positive welfare attributes at end of life.
- Enrichment and management strategies to prevent tail biting.
- Objective assessment of pig care and wellbeing
- Pig Processing
Expected outcomes:
Ensuring a sustainable processing sector for the future.
Key Research Areas:
- Maintaining CO2 as the primary stunning gas in Australia.
- Avoiding foreign object contamination in carcases
- Data and Information
Expected outcomes:
Exploiting the benefits of technologies with existing and future information for more efficient and profitable pig production, processing, and understanding of market trends.
Key Research Areas:
- Automatic capture and use of data (eg. smart sensors, digital technologies, AI) for more efficient and cost-effective building and pig management, eg. slaughter weight.
- Use of AI technologies to reduce piglet mortality/enhance piglet and sow welfare at farrowing and during lactation, with different farrowing systems.
Applications in other areas will not be considered.
APRIL Transformational Project grants are competitive, hence open to any individual(s) from any organisation(s) and are open to all Australian universities. For Assistance with preparation of an application, please refer to the “Guidelines for Transformational Project Proposals 2025” as it provides further and specific detail on project proposals under APRIL’s participant model. For example, APRIL requires evidence of external co-funding and expects a minimum external cash contribution, dependent on the applicants participant status (Non-Participant or Participant). Applications which display higher external cash contribution may be viewed more favourably.
APRIL is eligible to be an Industry Partner for various funding schemes, e.g., CRC-P, ARC Linkage. All APRIL funding schemes are assessed, evaluated and recommended for funding by the APRIL Research and Development Advisory Committee, which has the collective expertise and experience to effectively assess applications. If approved, research scheme funds are paid directly to the successful Lead Party.
There is no lower or upper limit on the monetary value, nor the timeframe, of a Transformational Project grant. However, APRIL does have limited funds to invest in a project, and therefore there is a significant expectation that the size, scope and monetary value of an application is sufficient to suitably address the numerous challenges that each Transformational Project presents. APRIL does not fund any indirect cost recovery of projects costs. Please note, final approval and funding of a Transformational Project may be subject to changes in the budget. This is at the sole discretion of APRIL.
Transformational Projects having a research contract with APRIL are conducted under the Terms and Conditions of the APRIL Research Deed, that can be viewed here.
An individual is ineligible to be considered for a new research project (as Project Leader) if, and without an approved and fully signed Project Variation, there are two or more consecutive Quarterly Project Reports and/or Cash Expenditure Reports from a current APRIL project (or projects) that are overdue. Furthermore, an individual is ineligible to be considered for a new research project (as Project Leader) if, and without an approved and fully signed Project Variation, a Final Report from a current APRIL project (or projects) is more than 3 months overdue.
For any further information or any questions, please contact Dr Charles Rikard-Bell (Executive Officer ;0439 513 723).
To apply for an APRIL Transformational Project, complete the relevant proposal form and the Budget and Milestones template and email to Dr Charles Rikard-Bell by 3rd October 2025.
Important Dates:
Opening Date: 14 July 2025
Closing Date: 3rd October 2025
It is anticipated that funding for successful projects would commence prior to July 2026, subject to APRIL Board approval.
The following downloads will assist you in your Transformational Project Application:
Expressions of Interest for APRIL Kickstart Program
The Kickstart Program can provide up to $7,500 for an individual/organisation(s) to assist with the preparation and submission of a specific, targeted and agreed major external funding application (or applications) in partnership with APRIL and other partners.
Significant external funding pools exist both nationally and internationally for potential investment. The Kickstart Program aims to increase the number of applications that are prepared and submitted to external funding organisations that ultimately increase the funding pool to undertake more of APRIL’s activities, in alignment with Transformational Project and Industry Priority Project priorities in the Strategic Plan.
Expressions of Interest (EoI) for project applications not seeking Kickstart funds may also be submitted but must adhere to the same principle of being a specific, targeted major external funding application in partnership with APRIL (and other partners), in alignment with the APRIL Strategic Plan.
To apply for a Kickstart award, which is open all-year round, complete an EoI form (linked below) and email it to Dr John Pluske, APRIL CEO/Chief Scientist, at j.pluske@april.org.au. Questions concerning the program can also be directed to Dr Pluske on 0410 436 871.
APRIL Commercialisation Projects
An APRIL Commercialisation Project addresses the issue where the path to market of a product, service or technology may be close and additional co-investment, that would commonly include other investors, may assist in bringing it to realisation.
The APRIL Commercialisation Project scheme is open all year round.
Please visit here for further information and the application form and budget spreadsheet.