South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT) 2026 Funding Round

Purpose and Program Overview

The South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT) 2026 funding round provides competitive funding for research, development and extension projects that deliver practical benefits to the South Australian grains industry. SAGIT invests levy funds collected from SA grain growers into initiatives that improve profitability, sustainability, and operational practices across the grains sector. Unlike standard government grants, SAGIT funding is grown from industry contributions and is directed toward projects with real-world, on-farm or industry outcomes.

The 2026 round welcomes applications from researchers, grower groups and industry organisations that address emerging challenges such as drought resilience, weed and pest management, nitrogen and carbon efficiency, crop protection strategies, and extension activities. Projects that involve collaboration, especially those co-funded with bodies like the SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), are encouraged.

SAGIT plays a critical role in South Australia’s grain industry by investing in innovation, capacity building and applied research, enabling growers to access new knowledge, technologies and practices that strengthen production systems and industry resilience.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount/funding range: Not fixed per project; funding requests are assessed on merit and value-for-money within SAGIT’s annual funding pool (historically ~AUD 2–3 million+ across projects)
• Application Open: Now
• Application Close: 5 pm, Friday, 30 January 2026
• Eligible Organisations: Researchers, grower groups, industry organisations
• Required Co-contributions: Not mandatory; co-funding with partners is encouraged where appropriate
• Location / Applicability: Primarily for projects benefiting South Australian grain growers; broader activities may be considered if demonstrably beneficial

Priority Sectors

SAGIT’s funding priorities for the 2026 round include project areas with practical benefit for South Australian grain growers, especially:

• Drought resilience and climate-smart agriculture
• Weed and pest management/crop protection strategies
• Sustainability and carbon emissions reduction (including nitrogen efficiency)
• Training, internships and extension activities
• Other applied research that addresses industry-specific challenges

These priority sectors reflect ongoing industry challenges and areas where SAGIT seeks tangible outcomes for growers.

Funding Scope

• Funding Structure: Open call for research, development and extension projects; no strict minimum or maximum per submission specified in published guidelines, but projects are evaluated on strategic alignment and value-for-money.
• Project Duration: Funding timelines vary; funded projects typically proceed through reporting milestones in 2026–27 (e.g., progress reports, final reporting)
• Categories / Streams: SAGIT supports a range of research categories, including practical agronomy, sustainability, extension and industry capacity building.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the following common eligibility expectations:

• Hold a formal research entity, grower group or recognised industry organisation status.
• Demonstrate capacity to deliver applied research with benefit to growers and the grains industry.
• Prepare and submit applications using official SAGIT forms and guidelines.
• Engage in collaborative partnerships where appropriate (e.g. co-funding with research partners)
• Projects should aim to be conducted in South Australia or show significant benefit to SA grain growers.

Note: SAGIT guidelines include detailed criteria; review the official funding guidelines before applying.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

SAGIT funds activities that directly support applied research and industry outcomes, such as:

• Field trials, agronomy research, crop protection strategies
• Demonstration of practises to improve drought resilience and sustainability
• Training, internships and capacity-building initiatives
• Extension activities that share outcomes with growers
• Collaborative research with co-investors (SARDI, SA Drought Hub, GRDC, etc.)

Assessment Process

• Competitive: All applications undergo a competitive assessment process.
• Evaluation Criteria: Projects are assessed on factors such as:
  • Alignment with industry priorities and grower benefits
  • Value-for-money and likelihood of adoption
  • Scientific and technical merit
  • Path to market or practical extension outcomes
  • Collaborative potential and co-funding leverage

Applicants are assessed in February–March 2026, with notifications in late March 2026.

Recent Program Updates

• The 2026 funding round is now open with a closing date of 30 January 2026.
• SAGIT invested more than AUD 3 million (including co-funded projects) in recent years; funding capacity is expected to be strengthened following improved seasonal conditions

Application Tips

• Review eligibility and priority areas carefully against SAGIT’s published guidelines before applying.
• Prepare project proposals with clear benefit logic for growers and explain how outcomes will be implemented.
• Discuss proposals early with SAGIT scientific contacts (e.g. Dr Jenny Davidson) to refine concepts.
• Build co-funding or collaborative strengths where possible to enhance impact and resourcing.
• Include clear plans for knowledge transfer and adoption to support adoption by growers.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact Pattens Group today, and we will connect you with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100 % success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of SAGIT.