Up to $500,000 supporting sheep, agriculture, food, and fibre industries during the transition away from live sheep exports, which will cease on 1 May 2028.
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What is the Enhancing Market Demand Grants (EMDG) Program?
The Australian Government has announced the Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea – transition assistance: Enhancing Market Demand Grants (EMDG) Program to support the sheep, agriculture, food, and fibre industries during the transition away from live sheep exports, which will cease on 1 May 2028.
This program aims to increase the availability of information on new and emerging market opportunities, foster stronger business-to-business relationships, and strengthen industry resilience both nationally and internationally.
A total of $4.4 million has been committed to this grant program, available from 2025–26 to 2027–28. All funded activities must be completed by 29 February 2028.
Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program level of support
Grant amount:
- Minimum grant amount: There is no minimum grant amount.
- Maximum grant amount: Up to $500,000 per project.
The program has a national focus, and projects must deliver outcomes that demonstrate application or benefit across industries on a national scale.
Co-contribution:
- Grants under $50,000: Up to 100% of eligible expenditure can be covered. No co-contribution required.
- Grants between $50,000 and $500,000 (GST exclusive): Funding will cover up to 50% of eligible expenditure. A mandatory co-contribution (financial and/or in-kind) is required and must be equal to or greater than the grant amount requested.
Examples of in-kind contributions include voluntary labour, donated goods or equipment, professional services, and accommodation provided by partner organisations.
Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program important dates
- Applications close: 9:00 pm AEDT, 4 November 2025
- Assessment period: November – December 2025
- Notification of outcomes: January 2026
- Grant agreements finalised: January – February 2026
- Earliest project start: February – March 2026
- Latest project end date: 29 February 2028
- Final payments made by: 30 June 2028
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program objectives
Program Objectives
The objectives are to:
- Explore and develop new market opportunities for Australian sheep products, both interstate and overseas.
- Diversify Australia’s export base by building stronger markets for Australian agri-food in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
- Build on and complement other activities funded under the broader $27 million Enhancing Market Demand program.
Intended Outcomes
The intended outcomes are:
- Increased knowledge, understanding, and information about potential market opportunities and stronger business-to-business relationships.
- Demonstrated benefits across industries nationally, not just at a local or state level.
- Strengthened business relationships to support the Australian sheep industry and broader agriculture and food sectors.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program support
Eligible Projects
Projects must align with one or both of the following priorities:
- Market opportunities for Australian sheep products within Australia and internationally.
- Diversification opportunities for Australian agri-food exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Eligible Expenditure
- Salaries, wages, and on-costs of staff directly delivering the project.
- Travel costs directly related to project delivery (e.g., accommodation, flights, insurance).
Ineligible Expenditure
Grant funding cannot be used for:
- Land purchases
- Major construction or capital works
- Retrospective costs
- General administration (e.g., rent, electricity, phone)
- Legal expenses
- Activities that benefit only one state or territory
- Activities that duplicate existing government funding
- Activities supporting a single commercial or government enterprise
- Ineligible travel costs not directly linked to project activities
Other Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program support
Applicants must be one of the following organisation types:
- Peak industry bodies
- Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs)
- Consultants or organisations specialising in agriculture, economics, markets, trade, and/or food security
- Research providers
And must also be a legal entity type such as:
- Company
- Cooperative
- Corporate Commonwealth Entity
- Corporate State or Territory Entity
- Incorporated Association
- Indigenous Corporation
- Local Government
- Non-corporate Commonwealth Statutory Authority
- Non-corporate State or Territory Entity
- Non-corporate State or Territory Statutory Authority
- Statutory Entity
Ineligible applicants include sole traders, partnerships, unincorporated associations, international entities, non-corporate Commonwealth entities, or organisations listed on the National Redress Scheme non-joiners list or the Workplace Gender Equality Agency non-compliant list.
Consortia applications are welcome, provided a lead applicant is identified. The lead applicant must be an eligible entity and is responsible for the delivery of the grant project.
Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed against four criteria, with the following weightings:
Criterion 1: Project alignment to program priorities, objectives and intended outcomes (40%)
Applicants must demonstrate:
- The project’s aims and importance, and how it aligns with the program’s objectives.
- How the project contributes to one or both priorities (sheep market opportunities and/or MENA diversification).
- The expected outcomes in terms of increasing knowledge, information, or B2B relationships.
- The extent of partnerships and collaboration (industry, research organisations, government, universities, cooperatives, etc.).
- Benefits to the Australian sheep industry and broader agriculture sector.
Criterion 2: Suitability and effectiveness of the project to achieve outcomes (20%)
Applicants must clearly describe:
- Planned activities, methodology, and timelines.
- Specific roles of partners and collaborators.
- Methods to measure progress and outcomes.
- Risk management approaches, with risks identified and strategies to mitigate them.
Criterion 3: Capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project (20%)
Applicants should provide evidence of:
- Organisational ability and past performance in similar projects.
- Governance, oversight, and project management capacity (using the required templates).
- Engagement strategies with stakeholders, industry, and government.
- How risks will be monitored and managed.
Criterion 4: Value for money and sustainability of outcomes (20%)
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Proportionality of the funding request to the project’s aims and expected benefits.
- The level and type of co-contributions (mandatory for >$50,000 grants).
- Potential financial or private benefits from the project.
- How the project outcomes will complement or build on the broader $27 million Enhancing Market Demand program.
- The breadth of impact nationally across agriculture and supply chains.
How do I get the Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Deliver the project/s as outlined in the application.
- Provide complete information requirements.
To be successful under the Phase Out of Live Sheep Exports by Sea – transition assistance: Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program, applicants must demonstrate:
- Clear alignment with program priorities – showing how the project addresses market opportunities for Australian sheep products and/or diversification of agri-food exports to the MENA region.
- Strong project rationale – explaining why the project is important and how it will deliver measurable benefits to industry nationally.
- Well-defined activities and methodologies – outlining what will be done, how, when, and where, supported by realistic timelines.
- Partnerships and collaboration – evidence of cooperation across industry, government, research organisations, and other stakeholders.
- Effective monitoring and evaluation – methods for tracking progress, measuring outcomes, and reporting results.
- Sound risk management – identifying potential risks and outlining strategies to mitigate them, using the required Risk Management Plan template.
- Organisational capacity and capability – demonstrating relevant experience, governance structures, staff expertise, and resources to deliver the project.
- Value for money – showing that the requested funding is proportionate to the expected outcomes, with sufficient co-contributions (if required).
- Sustainability and scalability – identifying how outcomes will provide long-term benefits to industry and complement other activities under the broader $27 million Enhancing Market Demand program.
Information to prepare for the Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program application
Applicants must prepare and upload the following:
- Indicative Project Budget (mandatory template).
- Project Management Plan (mandatory template).
- Risk Management Plan (mandatory template).
- Bank account verification document (recent bank statement, with account details visible).
- Consortium letters of support (if applying as part of a consortium).
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program
Applications must be submitted via GrantConnect.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Enhancing Market Demand Grants Program resources
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