Research and Innovation projects
Wine Australia invests in strategic bilateral agreements with a number of key research organisations including The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), CSIRO, SARDI, The University of Adelaide and Charles Sturt University. We also periodically request applications for research, development and extension projects on specific topics. Any targeted calls for project applications will be detailed here.
Gender equality scoping study
Applications for the gender equality scoping study closed on 9 February 2024. The selection panel is considering all proposals received and we expect to advise the outcome by end March 2024.
Alternative packaging for premium Australian wine
Wine Australia and the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) are seeking innovative solutions for wine packaging that cuts carbon emissions, but not quality.
Grants of up to $1.1 million from BRII are available to Australian startups and SMEs.
This challenge aims to reduce the carbon footprint of wine packaging to support the sector’s net zero commitment, while maintaining in-bottle ageing properties and consumer’s quality perception.
Manufacturing of wine packaging and transport of packaged wine accounted for around 70 per cent of the wine industry’s annual carbon emissions in 2020‑21. There are a number of reasons for this, but heavy glass bottles are the main cause.
Wine Australia sees potential in alternatives to revolutionise premium wine packaging. Adopting sustainable packaging is critical to achieving our sector’s emissions reduction goals.
Lower-carbon, easily recyclable packaging not only promises to cut emissions but be applied to other food and beverage industries, or other sectors.
Applicants to the BRII grants will keep ownership of all intellectual property (IP) developed for their project. It’s a great opportunity to capitalise on your innovation.
Wine Australia applied to BRII and was successful in securing this exciting opportunity for the Australian grape and wine sector to tackle one of the key emissions challenges as identified in Wine Australia's Emissions Reduction Roadmap.
Applications close 18 April 2024.