In this September edition:

• September Director's message
• CEAT to co-host H2O Hack: Solving water challenges from space
• PPB Technology - from beginnings to business
• How Nourish Ingredients are taking on the alternative fats world
• Australian agriculture sets its sights on space
• Meet Annamaria from Membrane Transporter Engineers
  
• AgriFutures Rural Women's Awards go virtual
• $150 million missions to boost Australian agriculture and food sectors
• Funding Opportunities

For me, September has been a month of learning. Through a series of meetings with researchers and agri-sector experts, I have been learning more about the complex challenges facing agriculture, and ways in which research-intensive universities can deliver the R&D needed to address those challenges. A key topic in those discussions was whether Australia’s current agricultural R&D innovation ecosystem – with a focus on increasing profitability and sustainability of today’s farmers – will be able to develop solutions to the complex challenges facing the next generation of farmers.

When most people think of space tech, they think of rockets, space stations and satellites. What most people don’t know is how much of life on Earth is influenced by this technology. Yet satellite enabled technology like remote sensing, geolocation and increased connectivity are increasingly important for many aspects of terrestrial life, including agriculture and water management. 4-10 October marks the 2021 World Space Week, which recognises at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.

In alignment with this purpose, from 11-15 October, the Centre for Entrepreneurial Agri-Technology at The Australian National University, the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) and the Institute for Water Futures, in partnership with the ANU Inspace, CSIRO and Charles Sturt University, are running the ‘H2O Hack: solving water challenges from space’ online hackathon to help stimulate and develop solutions to address Australia’s water management challenges.

Innovation Connect - ACT Government

Innovation Connect is a matched funding program. For every dollar you invest between $10,000 and $30,000, the ACT Government will match it. Learn more.

2022 Science and Innovation Awards

Grant applications are now open for the 2022 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry! If you’re 18-35 and want to make a difference for Australia’s agriculture industries, this is your chance to apply for a grant of up to $22,000 to fund your project. Applications close 1 October, 2021. Learn more.