AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation is seeking expressions of interest for projects consistent with its on-farm investment priorities as outlined in its 2025-2028 strategic plan.

AWI said its 2026 on-farm research, development and extension investments will be guided by its Strategic Plan 2025–2028, and will aim to deliver profitable, resilient and sustainable outcomes for Australian woolgrowers through levy and matched funding.

Pillar 2 in the strategic plan’s key priorities covers sustainable and profitable wool growing. This includes:

Research, productivity and profitability – AWI will invest in R&D and extension to help wool growers increase their productivity and reduce their costs of production, which are key elements for improving woolgrowers’ profitability;

Environmental and financial sustainability – AWI will progress its Woolmark+ roadmap in response to the increasing consumer and regulatory demands for low-impact products, and;

Wool harvesting – AWI will continue with its multi-pronged training and technological approach to make wool harvesting easier and more cost-effective for woolgrowers and the industry.

An AWI spokesman said the Woolgrower Industry Consultation Panel and Woolgrower Consultation Group set the strategic plan and it was agreed to by the AWI board.

“The EOI process is a method to find projects that deliver the strategy, it is the logical step of a strategic plan to work out implementation.”

AWI said EOIs are sought across a breadth of opportunities — from short, targeted initiatives through to larger, multi-year programs. AWI is particularly encouraging proposals that adopt whole-farm systems approaches and demonstrate strong collaboration between research organisations, RDCs, industry partners and producer groups.

Priority areas for investment

AWI today listed priority areas for investment. These included:

1. Genetics & breeding – AWI seeks projects that advance Merino genetic improvement, including:

• Improved selection methods for worm resistance, particularly relating to Barbervax integration.
• Development of Merino production systems and indexes incorporating feed efficiency for long-term gains in profitability, productivity and welfare.
• Translation of outcomes from the Merino Lifetime Productivity (MLP) project into practical, commercially relevant selection tools that integrate objective and visual assessment.
• Strategies to increase uptake and effectiveness of artificial breeding and reproductive technologies to accelerate genetic gain.
• Cost-effective phenotyping and genotyping methods that improve recording, analysis and selection accuracy in Merinos.

2. Animal health & wellbeing

• Development of biological or environmentally friendly control methods for internal and external parasites, with a focus on innovations targeting the soil stage of parasite lifecycles.

3. Environmental sustainability

• A literature review of practices used by well-managed grazing properties that contribute to ecosystem services, including water and food quality, biodiversity, threatened species habitat, nutrient cycling, shade and shelter, and soil health.
• A literature review of regionally appropriate emissions-reduction, carbon-storage and biodiversity approaches applicable to Australian wool growers.

4. Labour saving

• Novel approaches that reduce time, labour and cost burdens across sheep management, wool harvesting, handling systems and supply chain logistics. This may include practical, technical or digital innovations that improve farm efficiency and support workforce challenges.

AWI chief executive officer John Roberts said the 2026 EOI process is designed to bring forward new ideas, partnerships and technologies that can support wool growers in a rapidly changing production and market landscape.

“Our focus is ensuring that levy investments deliver real, practical outcomes for wool growers.

“By inviting proposals across these priority areas, we aim to support innovation that drives productivity, resilience and long-term industry prosperity,” he said.

EOIs must outline the proposed project, alignment with AWI’s strategic priorities, expected grower benefits, delivery capability and indicative budget and timelines.

The EOI round opens on 24 November 2025, and closes on 30 January 2026

Full guidelines and submission requirements are available at www.wool.com/projects