Funding for Food Clusters

Posted on by kevin.turner@rdatasmania.org.au

Food Innovation Australia Ltd's food cluster development programme is open for application from new or existing clusters until 28 Feb 2018

This Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL) programme will support collaborative growth partnerships across the value chains for food, beverage and agribusiness.

While clusters are a natural occurrence, the development of clusters is being enhanced in many countries through clustering initiatives that more closely align the cluster’s stakeholders around common agendas, addressing both opportunities and impediments to growth.  Many food-related clusters are now under development across Europe and the Americas Cluster engagement is central to Europe’s regional ‘Smart Specialisation’ strategy (http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/).

Through 1:1 matched funding, this support programme encourages businesses, public agencies, researchers and educational institutions to align and work together, to build on their competitive advantage, address opportunities and develop solutions to challenges that they otherwise could not resolve on their own.

Financial support will be provided to support the management of the cluster, and for small-scale projects.  If not already in place, it is expected that a dedicated cluster manager will be appointed.

Two levels of support will be provided, one for more mature clusters that have been established and operating for at least one year, and one for more embryonic clusters that are in the development phase, not fully established and are wishing to fast track their formation.

• Mature clusters will be awarded matched contributions of up to $300,000 per year, over three years.

• Embryonic clusters will be awarded matched contributions of up to $150,000 per year, over two years.

Applications are welcomed through the FIAL website https://fial.com.au/cluster-programme

The Cluster Programme is being provided through the Project Fund, a key offering under the Industry Growth Centre initiative - https://industry.gov.au/industry/Industry-Growth-centres/Pages/default.aspx