Australia and Vietnam Announce Three Outstanding Projects from the Innovation Partnership Grants to Tackle Agricultural Challenges
The Australian Government has officially announced three outstanding projects awarded funding under Round 5 of the Innovation Partnership Grants, part of the Aus4Innovation Program. With a total budget of AUD 1.6 million, this round supports advanced solutions to address climate change challenges in agriculture.
Funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, co-funded and managed by CSIRO – Australia’s national science agency – and implemented in strategic partnership with Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, Round 5 emphasizes the importance of sustainable and inclusive development while strengthening collaboration between Australian and Vietnamese institutions.
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The three selected projects target diverse challenges with significant impacts on Vietnam’s agricultural sector:
- Transforming Agricultural Biomass Waste into Low-Emission 3D Printing Materials for Cooling Urban Buildings in Vietnam
Led by Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland, this project aims to convert agricultural by-products into biochar for producing energy-efficient 3D-printed construction materials, contributing to sustainable urban development.
- Smart Pollination Management and Forecasting Solutions to Boost Fruit Yields in Vietnam
Led by VinUniversity and the University of Queensland, this project will develop digital tools using artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced sensor technologies to improve pollination efficiency in mango and durian orchards in the Mekong Delta.
- Applying Hydroacoustic Technology and Machine Learning to Monitor Fish Behavior and Environment for Disease Prediction in Pangasius Farming
Led by Can Tho University and Charles Darwin University, this project will create technological solutions to track fish health and farming conditions, enabling early detection and prevention of disease outbreaks in Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
The projects will commence in April and have 19 months to implement their proposed activities.
Congratulating the awardees, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird stated that Round 5 of the Innovation Partnership Grants under Aus4Innovation highlights the potential for collaboration between the two nations in applying science, technology, and innovation to address agricultural challenges. She emphasized that the selected projects not only enhance sustainability and resilience in Vietnam’s agriculture against climate change but also promote inclusivity, ensuring smallholder farmers and local communities benefit directly from innovation.
Vietnam’s Minister of Science and Technology, Vu Hai Quan, affirmed that the Ministry has closely partnered with the Australian Embassy in implementing Aus4Innovation. He praised the program’s contributions to Vietnam’s development and expressed confidence that the funded projects in Round 5 will deliver practical value, advancing agriculture through science, technology, and innovation while further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The Innovation Partnership Grants are a key component of the Aus4Innovation Program, a 10-year initiative (2018–2028) designed to enhance Vietnam’s innovation system for sustainable and inclusive growth. Over five rounds, the fund has awarded more than AUD 8 million to 18 projects, supporting Australian and Vietnamese organizations in tackling critical issues in agriculture, healthcare, environment, and other sectors with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity.
By strategically funding pioneering projects, the program not only enables advanced solutions but also fosters collaboration among researchers, innovators, and businesses in both countries.