Australian Government/Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade Blue Economy Challenge

Sponsor

Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT)

Program

The Blue Economy Challenge

For More Information

Application

Overview

Challenge Statement Handbook

Description

The Blue Economy Challenge calls for innovators, entrepreneurs, designers, NGOs and academics to rethink advances in aquaculture to provide solutions that ensure both sustainable development and environmental sustainability.  This challenge aims to find solutions to three  important issues of aquaculture:  1) Rethinking feed for aquaculture 2) New ocean products and 3) Sustainable design by encouraging innovations that will revolutionize aquaculture in the developing world with a focus on the Indian Ocean region, where transformations in aquaculture can help eradicate poverty, end hunger, and preserve ecosystems.

All solutions must be feasible and suitable for aquaculture in a developing country context with specific applicability to the Indian Ocean. DFAT is looking for solutions that are beyond a theoretical concept. Submissions can be either of these prototypes, where a novel idea is being tested for the first time, or solutions, where existing ideas are being trialed in a different context. The blue Economy Challenge will not accept submissions that are lab bench scale, theoretical design, or limited to ideas on paper.  Judges will select solutions that are transformative, impactful, scalable, sustainable, feasible, and potentially profitable.

Eligibility

Faculty members

Funding Availability

AU $3million

Maximum Project Value

Grants of up to AU $750,000 based on the stage; Early Stage – up to AU$250,000, Late Stage up to AU $750,000). The number of awards is not predetermined. 

Indirect Costs

25%

Project Duration

One year. Winners will use the funds to implement their innovation in the Indian Ocean region within 12 months of the award.