Grants of up to $120,000 are now available for agribusinesses to commercialise their products, technology or service, with round 16 for Pilot Commercialisation Projects (PCP) closing Wednesday 26 September 2007. The New Industries Development Program (NIDP) is made up of a number of elements. The first is a Pilot Commercialisation Program (PCP) which is a competitive, merit based grants program that provides matched funding of between $35,000 and $120,000 to agribusinesses that have finished their R&D stage and are ready to take the next step to commercialise their product, technology or service. The second is an In Market Experience Scholarship (IMES) designed to help potential business managers to gain valuable market knowledge on their proposed industry by making available $12,500 for market exploration activities. Application forms and program guidelines are available from www.daff.gov.au/agribiz

AUTHOR: Tom Yeatman,Senior Sustainable Ag Systems Consultant, Rural Solutions SA

CONTACT: www.daff.gov.au/agribiz, or Rural Solutions SA Clare Office, 08 8842 6211