Water: Managing overuse of the world's water resources through research-for-development Grant

About this grant

The ACIAR Water Program (formerly the Water and Climate Program) addresses efficient and sustainable water use to support agricultural production under increasingly uncertain climate, competition from other sectors and declining water quality. The program works to improve agricultural water management through innovative technical and policy approaches across three themes: improving access to and outcomes from irrigation; sustainable use of groundwater in agriculture; and risks and opportunities for safe productive use of low-quality water. In South Asia, the program coordinates activities established by the DFAT Sustainable Development Investment Portfolio focused on sustainable ways to intensify and diversify food systems in the Eastern Gangetic Plains, examining technical, policy and social dimensions of agricultural change. The page lists active projects across Africa, East and Southeast Asia, the Pacific and South Asia, including work on lake management in Indonesia, water allocation in Pakistan, food and water security in Southern Africa, remote sensing for agricultural water management, spring-water management in Nepal, coastal community water security in the Pacific, and salt-tolerant cropping in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. The program is listed with an indicative FY 2024-25 investment of AUD 5.7 million and 20 projects for FY 2025-26, delivered through commissioned organisations.

Eligibility

The page describes commissioned research projects delivered by named organisations, including the Australian National University, CSIRO, Griffith University, the International Development Research Centre-style partner Institute for Study and Development Worldwide, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, the University of Adelaide, the Virtual Irrigation Academy and the University of the Sunshine Coast. It does not describe an open call or the eligibility rules for applicants beyond commissioning; applicants should consult the ACIAR funding pages for open calls.

Key requirements

• ✓Research-for-development focus with application to developing countries
• ✓Primary emphasis on water resource management and agricultural water use
• ✓Partnership with institutions in developing regions
• ✓Alignment with ACIAR's agricultural research mandate

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• Australian National University
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
• Griffith University
• Institute for Study and Development Worldwide
• International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
• The University of Adelaide
• The Virtual Irrigation Academy
• University of the Sunshine Coast

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Water: Managing overuse of the world's water resources through research-for-development?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL, ASIA, AFRICA, LATAM; university, research-institution, nonprofit, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Water funding covers supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment, water efficiency, catchment management and flood risk. A large share is public procurement for infrastructure and services, alongside grants for innovation and access in underserved areas. Bidders and applicants are typically assessed on technical capacity, operating experience and community impact.