The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has welcomed the call for project proposals from the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI) Mount Gambier hub, and ideas that could benefit the forest industries sector nationwide are encouraged to apply for grant funding, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Mr Ross Hampton said today. Source: Timberbiz
“Following the successful launch of the Mount Gambier hub of NIFPI earlier this year, it’s fantastic to now have the call for project proposals open. AFPA is proud to have played a pivotal role in establishing the first two hubs of NIFPI, in what we hope is the start of visionary research hubs in different parts of the country, doing nationally significant work, specialising in different aspects of the value chain,” Mr Hampton said.
“The aim of the NIFPI hubs, Mount Gambier (with a focus on softwood and plantations) and Launceston (with a focus on hardwoods), is to drive innovative breakthroughs for forest industries across Australia. We eventually hope to see a national committee which will coordinate the research undertaken to ensure proposals are not duplicated.
“This funding launch in Mount Gambier means an additional $4 million research grants pool is available, bringing the total to $8 million across both hubs. Forest industries have enormous potential to benefit from innovative ideas and practices and these grants can start making it happen. The relatively small investment today, could mean a massive economic multiplier effect in the future,” Mr Hampton concluded.
