April 24, 2024

FaBA joins with GRDC for new investment round

If Australia was built on the sheep’s back in the 50s, then it was fed through our wheat, grains, pulses and oilseeds. Now FaBA and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) are providing a unique opportunity to value-add to the Australian grains and legumes industry through the FaBA & GRDC Grains Co-Investment Round.

The investment round is open to Australian and foreign companies, large, medium and small, wanting to develop innovative food and beverage products, and new ingredients using Australian grains and/ or legumes.

FaBA Senior Commercialisation Associate, Dr Nigel Barrett, said the focus was on companies wanting to create step-change innovation in their business needed to advance the use of Australian grains to meet emerging consumer demands.

“Australian grains are recognised internationally for their quality. This is an opportunity for businesses to value-add to their products in Australia, ultimately leading to more Australian innovation and jobs,” he said.

GRDC Senior Manager, Pulses, Genetic Technologies, Dr Francis Ogbonnaya, said the FaBA and GRDC investment round was open to food and beverage manufacturing companies that were processing wheat, coarse grains, pulses and oilseeds.

“Australian grains and legumes are on the menu around the world – we want to work with innovative companies that can see the potential to do even more, that add value to, and create new markets for Australian grains which in turn benefits our growers,” Dr Ogbonnaya said.

The competitive scheme is targeting businesses that are looking to bring new products and ingredients to market within the next two to three years. Investment is available in a variety of R&D including market analysis, lab studies, sensory assessments, new product innovation and scale up activities.

Projects should range between $100,000 – $2 million, with the FaBA and GRDC Co-Investment Round contributing half of the project investment.

Find out more and complete the EOI now: https://faba.au/partner-with-us/grdc-investment-round/

For further information, contact FaBA’s Commercialisation Team, Dr Nigel Barrett and Adam Smith

“Australian grains and legumes are on the menu around the world – we want to work with innovative companies that can see the potential to do even more, that add value to, and create new markets for Australian grains which in turn benefits our growers.”
Dr Francis Ogbonnaya

FaBA fast tracks innovation: Australia’s first food-grade pilot-scale precision fermentation facility

Companies developing the next generation of food, ingredients and biomanufacturing now have access to a food-grade pilot-scale precision fermentation facility, right here in Australia.

Case Studies Innovation Pathways Premium Food and Beverage

September 21, 2026

One grain, many possibilities: unlocking the potential of Australian oats

When Mei Yong set out to reinvent the humble oat as an all-day powerhouse food, she had the vision and foundational intellectual property – but needed the specialist expertise, facilities and equipment to accelerate the journey from concept to commercialisation.

Training Centre

September 10, 2026

A new front door to food innovation for Queensland businesses

Whether it's a regional producer exploring a new product idea, a growing manufacturer looking to improve food safety practices or a business wanting to better understand market opportunities, accessing the right expertise can sometimes be a challenge.

Executive Team

August 24, 2026

Bringing FaBA closer to food manufacturers

Based in Melbourne, FaBA Business Development Manager Adam Smith connects Australian food and beverage manufacturers with the expertise needed to turn industry challenges into commercially focused innovation projects.

Events Training Centre

August 13, 2026

Pitch Perfect: Founders showcase the future of food

Founders, investors, buyers and industry leaders came together in August to celebrate the next generation of Australian food and beverage innovation at the FaBA Entrepreneurs' Showcase.

Events Innovation Pathways

July 14, 2026

Preparing Australian food and beverage businesses for an AI-enabled future

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming more accessible to food and beverage businesses. The challenge is no longer simply gaining access to AI tools – it is knowing where, why and how to use them.

Case Studies Premium Food and Beverage

June 23, 2026

The Canberra start-up that’s turned global to bring the dairy experience to more consumers

Dairy ingredients are found in some of the world’s most-loved foods, from chocolate and ice cream to cheese and baked goods – but for consumers with allergies or dietary requirements, many of these products are off the table.

Back to news

April 24, 2024

FaBA joins with GRDC for new investment round

“Australian grains and legumes are on the menu around the world – we want to work with innovative companies that can see the potential to do even more, that add value to, and create new markets for Australian grains which in turn benefits our growers.”
Dr Francis Ogbonnaya

Recent news + events

Events Innovative Ingredients

September 23, 2026

FaBA fast tracks innovation: Australia’s first food-grade pilot-scale precision fermentation facility

Companies developing the next generation of food, ingredients and biomanufacturing now have access to a food-grade pilot-scale precision fermentation facility, right here in Australia.

Case Studies Innovation Pathways Premium Food and Beverage

September 21, 2026

One grain, many possibilities: unlocking the potential of Australian oats

When Mei Yong set out to reinvent the humble oat as an all-day powerhouse food, she had the vision and foundational intellectual property – but needed the specialist expertise, facilities and equipment to accelerate the journey from concept to commercialisation.

Training Centre

September 10, 2026

A new front door to food innovation for Queensland businesses

Whether it's a regional producer exploring a new product idea, a growing manufacturer looking to improve food safety practices or a business wanting to better understand market opportunities, accessing the right expertise can sometimes be a challenge.

Executive Team

August 24, 2026

Bringing FaBA closer to food manufacturers

Based in Melbourne, FaBA Business Development Manager Adam Smith connects Australian food and beverage manufacturers with the expertise needed to turn industry challenges into commercially focused innovation projects.

Events Training Centre

August 13, 2026

Pitch Perfect: Founders showcase the future of food

Founders, investors, buyers and industry leaders came together in August to celebrate the next generation of Australian food and beverage innovation at the FaBA Entrepreneurs' Showcase.

Events Innovation Pathways

July 14, 2026

Preparing Australian food and beverage businesses for an AI-enabled future

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming more accessible to food and beverage businesses. The challenge is no longer simply gaining access to AI tools – it is knowing where, why and how to use them.

Case Studies Premium Food and Beverage

June 23, 2026

The Canberra start-up that’s turned global to bring the dairy experience to more consumers

Dairy ingredients are found in some of the world’s most-loved foods, from chocolate and ice cream to cheese and baked goods – but for consumers with allergies or dietary requirements, many of these products are off the table.

Contributing to the growth of innovative research-led ingredients, processes and manufacturing in the food and beverage industry.

April 24, 2024

FaBA joins with GRDC for new investment round

“Australian grains and legumes are on the menu around the world – we want to work with innovative companies that can see the potential to do even more, that add value to, and create new markets for Australian grains which in turn benefits our growers.” Dr Francis Ogbonnaya

Recent news + events

September 23, 2026

Companies developing the next generation of food, ingredients and biomanufacturing now have access to a food-grade pilot-scale precision fermentation facility, right here in Australia.

September 21, 2026

When Mei Yong set out to reinvent the humble oat as an all-day powerhouse food, she had the vision and foundational intellectual property – but needed the specialist expertise, facilities and equipment to accelerate the journey from concept to commercialisation.

September 10, 2026

Whether it's a regional producer exploring a new product idea, a growing manufacturer looking to improve food safety practices or a business wanting to better understand market opportunities, accessing the right expertise can sometimes be a challenge.

August 24, 2026

Based in Melbourne, FaBA Business Development Manager Adam Smith connects Australian food and beverage manufacturers with the expertise needed to turn industry challenges into commercially focused innovation projects.

August 13, 2026

Founders, investors, buyers and industry leaders came together in August to celebrate the next generation of Australian food and beverage innovation at the FaBA Entrepreneurs' Showcase.

July 14, 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming more accessible to food and beverage businesses. The challenge is no longer simply gaining access to AI tools – it is knowing where, why and how to use them.

June 23, 2026

Dairy ingredients are found in some of the world’s most-loved foods, from chocolate and ice cream to cheese and baked goods – but for consumers with allergies or dietary requirements, many of these products are off the table.

Contributing to the growth of innovative research-led ingredients, processes and manufacturing in the food and beverage industry.

“Australian grains and legumes are on the menu around the world – we want to work with innovative companies that can see the potential to do even more, that add value to, and create new markets for Australian grains which in turn benefits our growers.”
Dr Francis Ogbonnaya