Action on the Ground

Grants Program Guidelines —
Round Two

April2013

For more information

Telephone1800 025 005

Website

Postal addressGPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601

Street address18 Marcus Clarke Street Canberra City ACT 2601

Contents

Action on the Ground program process flowchart

1.Program overview

2.Objectives

3.Priorities for round two of Action on the Ground

4.How the grants program will operate

5.Key program dates – round two

6.Who is eligible to apply for funding

7.What qualifies for funding

8.How to apply

9.Corrections

10.Funding conditions

11.Publication of information about successful applicants

12.Privacy statement

13.Conflicts of interest

14.How applications are assessed

15.Who selects suitable applicants

16.Notification of funding decisions

17.Complaints handling process

18.False and misleading information

19.Additional information

20.Contact details

Action on the Groundprogram process flowchart

1.Applicant prepares application using guidelines and information pack
On-line form accessible at:
OR Hardcopy form on request only from 1800 025 005.

2.Applicant submits application
Applicant submits an application as outlined in the guidelines

3.Assessment panel uses program guidelines to appraise application

4.Assessment panel advises the Department on merits of each application

5.Approver decides whether application will be funded and advises
applicant of the decision
All applicants notified in writing of outcome of application

6.The department and successful applicant negotiate funding deed which both parties sign

7.Applicant undertakes funding activity, completes milestones, provides reports and acquits funds against expenditure as agreed in funding deed.
Department makes payments and monitors progress

8.Department evaluates program outcomes using information
provided by applicant

Action on the Ground

  1. Program overview

The Australian Government’s Securing a Clean Energy Future plan, released in July 2011, contains four elements—a carbon price, innovation in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and action on the land (Land Sector Package). Further details on the plan can be found on the Clean Energy Future website at:

Direct emissions from agriculture are excluded indefinitely from liability under the carbon price mechanism. However, the agricultural sector currently accounts for approximately 15 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions—made up of methane from enteric fermentation (approx. 65 per cent of agricultural emissions); nitrous oxide from agricultural soils (approx. 17 per cent); prescribed burning of savannas (approx. 14 per cent); and emissions from livestock manure (approx. 4 per cent). These emissions represent an important opportunity for agriculture to assist Australia achieve its long term emissions reduction targets.

The $1.7 billion Land Sector Package is about creating new opportunities for farmers and land managers to help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide by increasing and storing carbon in soil and in plants as they grow. These opportunities can also increase the land sector’s resilience to climate change, protect Australia’s natural environment and improve long term farm productivity.Information on the Land Sector Packageis at:

The Land SectorPackage complements the Carbon Farming Initiative(CFI). The CFI is a legislated voluntary carbon offset scheme that provides a financial incentive for farmers and land managers to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases or to sequester carbon in the landscape. Information on the CFI is at:

The Land Sector Package includes the Carbon Farming Futures program and the Biodiversity Fund. The Carbon Farming Futures program ensures that advances in emissions reduction technologies and techniques will continue the evolution of management practices in the land sector towards greenhouse gas abatement and improved productivity. These advances will allow farmers and other land managers to benefit from the economic opportunities of the CFI while assisting Australia to achieve its long term emission reduction targets. The Carbon Farming Futures comprises five programs:

  • Filling the Research Gap
  • Action on the Ground
  • Extension and Outreach
  • Development ofoffset methodologies for the CFI
  • Conservation Tillage Refundable Tax Offset

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) is responsible for delivering the Filling the Research Gap, Action on the Ground and Extension and Outreach programs.

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) is responsible for the Development of offset methodologies for the CFI program. Further information is at:

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is responsible for the Conservation Tillage Refundable Tax Offset program in conjunction with the department. Further information is at:

  1. Objectives

The objectives of Action on the Ground areto assist farmers and land managers undertake on-farm trials of emissions abatement technologies, practices and management strategies.

It is an ongoing program, investing $99million (GST Exclusive)from 2011 to 2017 to:

  • trial on-farm abatement technologies, practices and management strategies to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions (methane and nitrous oxide) or sequester carbon in soil while maintaining or enhancing productivity
  • measure and demonstrate how emissions abatement technologies or changes in practices or management strategies can reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions or sequester atmospheric carbon in soil
  • promote collaborationbetween farmers and land managers, researchers, industry, government and non-government organisations—to develop and realise opportunities for improved management of, and reductions in,greenhouse gas emission from Australian farms.

Action on the Ground is seeking grant applications from farmers, land managers, farming groups, large farming enterprises,farmer ‘care’ ‘grower’ groups/organisations, researchers, industry, and non-government groups working in partnership with research, industry, non-government or government organisations.

These guidelines are for the second round (round two) of the Action on the Ground program covering July 2013 to 30 April 2017. Round two will provide funding of $30million
(GST Exclusive).

The first round of Action on the Ground invested $25.2 million in 59 multi-year projects (May 2012 to May 2015) involving over 400 farmers and land managers in on-farm trials to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon in soil. Details of these projects are at:

Future rounds of the program will be announced at a later stage and will continue the focus on new opportunities to improve the management of greenhouse gas emissions from Australian farming systems, in particular as the results from the Filling the Research Gap program and the earlier Climate Change Research Program reach implementation stage.

  1. Priorities for round two of Action on the Ground

There are three priorities for round two of Action on the Ground.

1. Reduced methane emissions from livestock production systems

Agriculture produces around 60 per cent of Australia’s methane emissions, with nearly all coming from livestock.

Action on the Ground is seeking applications for on-farm projects to trial abatement technologies, practices and management strategiesunder commercial production conditions, and to measure and demonstrate reduced methane emissions from livestock production systems and associated animal wastesin relation to:

  • improved herd productivity enabling a reduction in herd size and/or reduced time-to-market through improved feed and dietary management
  • direct reduction of methane emission from ruminant animals through dietary manipulation including the use of feed supplements and additives with measurable anti-methanogenic properties,including dietary fats and tannins
  • changes in practices to improve management of dung, urine and manure to reduce methane (and nitrous oxide) emissions from farmed animal production systems.

Applicants should familiarise themselves with the research outcomes of the Climate Change Research Program - Reducing Emissions from Livestock. Projects have identified a range of options to reduce methane emissions from farmed animals. Information on these projects is at:

Applicants should also familiarise themselves with the projects fundedunderround one of the Filling the Research Gap and Action on the Ground programs. This will ensure that applications are underpinned by published research and avoid direct duplication of existing projects in a region.

The Filling the Research Gap - National Livestock Methane program currently consists of 17 projects that are closing knowledge gaps in methane-reducing research. Further information is at:

The Filling the Research Gap - National Agricultural Manure Management program currently consists of five projects that are closing knowledge gaps in greenhouse gas estimation and the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the application of manure to land. Further information is at:

Where applicants propose to trial options to reduce methane emissions from livestock production systems, the applicant must detail how the emissions will be measured or otherwise assessed. Guidance on measuring and assessing emissions of methane from livestockis available inthe Action on the Ground- Guidance for on-farm measurement of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon at:

2. Reduced nitrous oxide emissions

Nitrous oxide emissions make up about 21 per cent of Australia’s emissions from agriculture. A range of soil factors influence emissions of nitrous oxide, most notably the form and amount of available nitrogen, soil structure, soil moisture, temperature, and the dynamics of carbon turnover.

Action on the Ground is seeking applications for on-farm projects to trial abatement technologies, practices and management strategiesunder commercial production conditions,and to measure and demonstrate reduced nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural production systems while maintaining productivity in relation to:

  • Changes in practices and management strategies to improve nitrogen use efficiency including:

­crop rotation systems that include legumes to reduce the use of or need for nitrogen fertiliser applications

­improved management of nitrogen fertiliser application, including the use of precision farming technologies, applications that better match nitrogen availability to the demands of the plant, and crop yield tools

­enhanced efficiency (slow release) fertilisers, and nitrification or urease inhibitors

­adoption or improved management of fertigation practices

­improved irrigation managementto reduce the potential for nitrogen losses to the atmosphere

  • Changes in practices to improvemanagement of dung, urine and manure to reducenitrous oxide (and methane)emissions from farmed animal production systems.

Applicants should familiarise themselves with the research outcomes of the Climate Change Research Program - Nitrous Oxide ResearchProgram.Projects have identified a range of options to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural production systems. Information on these projects is at:

Applicants should also familiarise themselves with the projects funded under round one of the Filling the Research Gap and Action on the Ground programs. This will ensure that applications are underpinned by published research and avoid direct duplication of existing projects in a region.

The Filling the Research Gap - National Agricultural Nitrous Oxide program currently consists of 17 projects that are closing knowledge gaps in nitrous oxide emissions-reducing research. Further information is at:

Applicantsseeking to trial practices and management strategiesto reduce nitrous oxide emissions MUST propose direct measurements of nitrous oxide emissions at each trial site for both control and trial conditions. In-field sampling and measurement of nitrous oxide emissions must align with standard procedures developed under the Climate Change Research Program - Nitrous Oxide Research Program. Further information on theseprocedures is at:

Where applicants propose to trial technologies to abate or reduce nitrous oxide emissions, the applicant must detail how the emissionswill be directly measured orcalculated: Guidance on measuring and assessing emissions of nitrous oxide is available inthe Action on the Ground - Guidance for on-farm measurement of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon at:

3. Increased carbon sequestrationin soils

Soil carbon is an essential component of healthy and productive soils. Australian soils are inherently low in carbon, especially in comparison with other countries, and it is often difficult to build and maintain increased soil carbon under Australian conditions.

Action on the Ground is seeking applications for on-farm projects to trial changes to farm practices and management strategiesunder commercial production conditions, and to measure and demonstrate increased sequestration ofcarboninsoilwhile maintaining productivity in relation to:

  • changes in land use, including long term conversion of cropping land to pasture to sequester carbon in soil, croppingon pasture, or pasture species diversification including inclusion of perennial and legume species
  • changes in land management practices, including the use of pasture leys or fallow cover crops where these are not common practice
  • practices and management strategies that can increase soil carbon where the primary focus of the project is to reduce on-farm agricultural greenhouse gas emissions of methane or nitrous oxide.

Applicants should familiarise themselves with the research outcomes of the Climate Change Research Program - Soil Carbon Research Program. This program has:

  • delivered a foundation for understanding the impact of climate, land use and management factors on soil carbon levels in major agricultural production systems in Australia
  • developed a nationally consistent approach to collecting and analysing soil samples for soil carbon fractions
  • provided a national benchmark for soil carbon levels for a range of soil types from across Australia to support future CFI offset projects and strengthen the National Carbon Accounting System.

Round two of Action on the Ground is looking specifically to fund a number of projects addressing practices and management strategies identified through the Climate Change Research Program - Soil Carbon Research Programas having potential to sequester carbon in soil. Further information on this program is at:

Applicants should also familiarise themselves with the projects funded under round one of the Filling the Research Gap and Action on the Ground programs. This will ensure that new applications are underpinned by published research and will avoid direct duplication of existing projects in a region.

The Filling the Research Gap - National Soil Carbon program currently consists of 15 projects that are closing knowledge gaps in soil carbon research. Further information is at:

Applicants seeking to trial practices and management strategiesto sequester carbon in soil MUST propose direct measurements of soil carbonand any agricultural greenhouse gas emissions associated with the change in practice or use of fertilisers, soil ameliorants, manures, composts and mulches at each trial site for both control and trial conditions. In-field sampling and measurement of soil carbonand agricultural greenhouse gas emissions must be consistent with theAction on the Ground - Guidance for on-farm measurement of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon. Further information on sampling and analysis for soil carbon is at:

  1. How the grants program will operate

Projects to be funded under the Action on the Ground program will be selected through an open competitive grants process.

Applicants will submit applications using the Action on the Ground application form. Details on how to access this form can be found in Section 8—How to Apply.

Applications may be for projects to be carried out over a period of up to four years. ProjectsMUST be completed by 30 April 2017. Program funds are available across four financial years (2013–14 to 2016–17). Project paymentswill be milestone based, payable on successful completion of the milestone.

The maximum amount of Commonwealth grant funds that may be applied for in an application is $775000 (GST Exclusive)over the four financial years to 30 April 2017. Program funding of up to $280000 (GST Exclusive) may be allowed in 2013–14 (i.e. the first financial year of the project), up to $190000 (GST Exclusive) in 2014–15, up to $170000 (GST Exclusive) in 2015–16, and up to $135000 (GST Exclusive) in 2016–17.

Applicants or project partner are required to provide contributions. Contributions must be directly related to the eligible costs of delivering the activities of the project and can include salaries of staff for the time they are directly involved. Contributions should be listed as part of the project budget in the application. The level of contributions offered will be taken in to account when assessing an application’s value for money.

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding deed with the Commonwealth of Australia through the department before they receive any Commonwealthfunding. All activities associated with the project must be completed by the date specified in the funding deed, including the preparation and submission of a final project report evaluating the outcomes of the project.

All successful applicants will be required to produce a comprehensive project plan within three months of the funding deed being signed detailing how the project will be delivered. A template for the project plan is at:

Applications must include details of how the project will be communicated to Australia’s farmers, land managers, researchers and broader agriculture sector stakeholders. Applicants are encouraged to consider publication in peer-reviewed technical or scientific literature, or other reputable publications. Where appropriate, the department may also publish outcomes of a project (subject to privacy and confidentiality requirements).

Projects may commence as soon as the funding deed is signed by the department.

Web-based information session

The department will host an optional, free interactive web-based information session for those interested in submitting an application for grant funding. Participants will be able to hear the information delivered at the session, see the presentation slides and ask questions. Information delivered at the session will be available on the Action on the Ground website afterwards.

An audio only version will be available accessed by phone through a free 1800 number.

Further information on the web-based information session and how to participate is at: by phoning 1800 025005.

  1. Key program dates – round two

Anticipated key dates for the second round of the Action on the Ground program are listed below. Subsequent rounds in future years will be announced on the department’s website.