TNQ Drought Hub
James Cook University Australia
Search

Future Drought Fund: Ready to Tackle Drought with Bold Ideas?

By Mob, For Mob: Funding Now Open to Strengthen Drought Resilience on Country

Got an idea to help your community stay strong through dry times while strengthening connection to Country? The Future Drought Fund’s Strengthening Drought Resilience on Country Grants Program is your chance to lead positive change, by Mob, for Mob.

This new $12 million program will back First Nations-led, community-driven projects that build economic, social, environmental, and cultural resilience to drought and climate impacts.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Up to six First Nations organisations, businesses or consortia will be selected as Delivery Partners through a targeted competitive grant round.
  • Consortia can include non-Indigenous entities, but projects must be First Nations-led.
  • Delivery partners will work with First Nations peoples in their region to identify and co-design projects and manage the distribution of funds.
  • Projects can include activities like cultural land management, sustainable agriculture, and knowledge sharing for cultural continuity.

Funding will cover:
✅ Admin support for coordination and co-design
✅ Project funding for sub-grantees to deliver on-ground activities

Projects will need to ensure inclusive engagement, including women, youth, and people with disability.

This program aligns with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, supporting Priority Reform 2 and Outcomes 8, 15, and 16, ensuring the program delivers for communities and Country now and into the future.

The grant round is expected to be open from mid to late 2025 for up to 18 weeks, with an information webinar (anticipated August 2025) to help you get started.

Keep your eye on GrantConnect when the opportunity opens, where you’ll find the grant guidelines, challenge descriptions and everything else you need to apply.

Learn more. 

Game-Changing Opportunity: $2 Million Up for Grabs for Drought-Busting Innovation

Got a big idea that could help farmers and communities bounce back better from drought? The Future Drought Fund Drought Resilience Innovation Challenges Pilot Program is your chance to make a real differnce in how Australian agriculture prepares for and bounces back from drought.

This new $20 million pilot program is all about fast-tracking game-changing, practical solutions that will make a real impact on our agriculture industry and regional communities.

Up to $2 million in funding per project is available through a competitive process, with projects to be completed by 30 June 2028.

Projects must provide solutions to one or more of the following challenges:

  1. Advancing Natural Capital and Biodiversity for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
  2. Innovating Water Management for Enhanced Drought Resilience in Australian Agriculture.
  3. National Innovation for Enhancing Community Resilience to Drought in Australian Agricultural Regions.

Successful applications will be led by a consortium of project partners, with a lead organisation nominated as the ‘applicant’. Each applicant must develop a theory of change for the project.

The program has been shaped by advice from industry experts, community feedback, and Regional Drought Resilience Plans, so it’s designed with your region in mind.

The grant round is expected to be open from mid to late 2025 for up to 11 weeks.

Keep your eye on GrantConnect when the opportunity opens, where you’ll find the grant guidelines, challenge descriptions and everything else you need to apply.

Learn more.Â