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Applications for the Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program, Sustainable Agrifood Systems Development are now OPEN

 

Applications for Round 1 Sustainable Agrifood Systems Development must be submitted by Friday 31 July 2026 at 8:30 pm ICT / 11:30 pm AEST.

To be notified about program news, call for applications and upcoming rounds, please subscribe to our mailing list

Have a question, or need assistance?

About the Venture Exchange Program

The Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program (VEP) is a twelve-week program that connects Thai and Australian agrifood startups and small-to-medium enterprises with research, industry and market opportunities across both countries. Three rounds will be delivered over 2026 and 2027, focusing on sustainable agrifood systems development.

The VEP supports entrepreneurs to engage with agrifood systems and research in new markets, foster connection with industry partners and build their capabilities and market readiness. Through intensive coaching, mentoring, market familiarisation visits and first class events, participating teams are supported to:

  • explore new reciprocal market opportunities
  • provide support in developing effective go-to-market strategies
  • engage across the value chain in both countries to identify synergies and build partnerships.

The Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program is sponsored by the Australian Government ‘s Southeast Asia and Australia Government Partnerships program, and managed by CSIRO, Australia‘s national science agency, in partnership with the Government of Thailand through the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Research University Network (RUN) Thailand.

Benefits

The VEP offers participants opportunities to:

  • generate world‑leading future food knowledge and technology that drives new marketing insights, commercial projects, new companies, and industry growth in the agriculture and food sector 
  • build food and future protein scientific capability for both countries that addresses major national challenges 
  • stimulate growth in the agrifood industries, and accelerate improvements in sustainability and nutrition
  • participate in a bilateral program with fellow entrepreneurs who share similar focus areas, promoting knowledge exchange and collaborative learning. 

As a participant you will have the opportunity to:

  • participate in a hybrid program with online learning modules and two in-person experiences, one in your home country and one in the target market
  • receive coaching sessions identifying potential research collaboration and value chain opportunities 
  • attend premium industry events and participate in networking sessions with cohort peers and key ecosystem stakeholders 
  • explore reciprocal research and development capabilities.

For more information about participation, support and travel, read our frequently asked questions.

Key dates

Round 1

  • Applications close: Friday, 31 July 2026 at 8:30 pm ICT / 11:30 pm AEST
  • Assessment, selection and outcome of application: August 2026
  • Program commencement: Monday, 7 September 2026
  • Australia Immersion Week: Late September - early October 2026 (TBC)
  • Thailand Immersion Week: Monday, 16 - Friday, 20 November 2026
  • Program completion: Friday, 27 November 2026

The application and program dates for Round 2 and 3 will be announced once confirmed. These rounds will be delivered in 2027.

Who should consider applying

This opportunity is best suited to eligible Thai and Australian organisations who are interested in advancing sustainable agrifood systems development. Eligibility criteria can be found in the FAQs.

We know innovation flourishes when different perspectives are heard and embraced. We encourage applications from underrepresented communities, including women, first nations, people with disabilities, and those supporting social inclusion.

We invite applications from eligible organisations who are actively developing a solution that aligns with one or more of the Challenge Statements below:

Challenge statements

1. Can you improve the scalability and reduce the cost of functional and novel food, feed, and ingredients by adding value while maintaining food safety?

Although significant research focuses on developing novel food, feed, and ingredients and upcycling by‑products from agriculture and food processing, many related technologies remain uncompetitive. Greater innovation and collaboration across the value chain are essential to creating cost‑effective, safe pathways for novel and functional food, feed, and ingredients. 

2. Can you improve the affordability, desirability, and scalability of nutrient‑rich functional and novel foods that support consumer health and wellbeing?

Consumers often struggle to make healthy food choices due to the prevalence of affordable high‑calorie, low‑nutrient foods. To enhance the health and wellbeing of the growing and ageing population across the Asia‑Pacific, innovative food products and ingredients that provide better nutrition while meeting food safety standards and consumer expectations for taste, texture, and price are needed.

3. Can you use local produce and knowledge to create functional and novel food and ingredients while respecting Indigenous or ethnic groups and returning value to local communities?

Local communities offer valuable resources for developing novel food ingredients. However, additional research and demonstration projects are needed to establish scalable use cases and gather evidence for market access. Note: “Indigenous” in this context refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), as well as ethnic groups in Thailand.

4. Can you facilitate better consumer acceptance and trust of functional and novel food, feed and ingredients?

Consumer concerns about the safety, naturalness, and ethical issues, along with limited awareness of their health benefits, hinder the commercialisation of future food products. Addressing these barriers requires improving the communication strategies and the lag time between marketing and effective market positioning, and efforts to encourage the adoption of functional and novel foods. 

5. Can you optimise aquaculture systems through innovation in feed?

As demand for aquaculture protein grows, there is increasing pressure to develop climate‑resilient, cost‑effective feed systems, sustainable aquaculture practices, and industry solutions. Scientific innovation in cost‑effective feed is essential to prevent disease and enhance fish and prawns’ quality and growth rates.

6. Anything we’ve missed? Tell us why your technology or solution aligns to sustainable agrifood systems development.

We invite applications for solutions, technologies, or products that support the development of sustainable agrifood systems and are not specifically addressed in the detailed challenge statements.

How to apply

Applications for Round 1 Sustainable Agrifood Systems Development must be submitted by Friday 31 July 2026 at 8:30 pm ICT / 11:30 pm AEST. Ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria before submitting your application.

Submit your application

The application portal will be kept open following the Round 1 intake, so interested organisations can submit applications for Round 2 and 3, to be delivered in 2027.

To be notified of program news, call for applications and upcoming rounds, please subscribe to our mailing list.

Key documents

Before applying, you are encouraged to read the Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program Guidelines and supporting documentation relevant to your country and review the Frequently Asked Questions including eligibility criteria.

Australian applicants

Thai applicants

Our collaborators

The Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program is sponsored by the Australian Government ‘s Southeast Asia and Australia Government Partnerships program, and managed by CSIRO, Australia‘s national science agency, in partnership with the Government of Thailand through the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Research University Network (RUN) Thailand.

Applications for the Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program, Sustainable Agrifood Systems Development are now OPEN

 

Applications for Round 1 Sustainable Agrifood Systems Development must be submitted by Friday 31 July 2026 at 8:30 pm ICT / 11:30 pm AEST.

To be notified about program news, call for applications and upcoming rounds, please subscribe to our mailing list

Have a question, or need assistance?

About the Venture Exchange Program

The Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program (VEP) is a twelve-week program that connects Thai and Australian agrifood startups and small-to-medium enterprises with research, industry and market opportunities across both countries. Three rounds will be delivered over 2026 and 2027, focusing on sustainable agrifood systems development.

The VEP supports entrepreneurs to engage with agrifood systems and research in new markets, foster connection with industry partners and build their capabilities and market readiness. Through intensive coaching, mentoring, market familiarisation visits and first class events, participating teams are supported to:

  • explore new reciprocal market opportunities
  • provide support in developing effective go-to-market strategies
  • engage across the value chain in both countries to identify synergies and build partnerships.

The Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program is sponsored by the Australian Government ‘s Southeast Asia and Australia Government Partnerships program, and managed by CSIRO, Australia‘s national science agency, in partnership with the Government of Thailand through the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Research University Network (RUN) Thailand.

Benefits

The VEP offers participants opportunities to:

  • generate world‑leading future food knowledge and technology that drives new marketing insights, commercial projects, new companies, and industry growth in the agriculture and food sector 
  • build food and future protein scientific capability for both countries that addresses major national challenges 
  • stimulate growth in the agrifood industries, and accelerate improvements in sustainability and nutrition
  • participate in a bilateral program with fellow entrepreneurs who share similar focus areas, promoting knowledge exchange and collaborative learning. 

As a participant you will have the opportunity to:

  • participate in a hybrid program with online learning modules and two in-person experiences, one in your home country and one in the target market
  • receive coaching sessions identifying potential research collaboration and value chain opportunities 
  • attend premium industry events and participate in networking sessions with cohort peers and key ecosystem stakeholders 
  • explore reciprocal research and development capabilities.

For more information about participation, support and travel, read our frequently asked questions.

Key dates

Round 1

  • Applications close: Friday, 31 July 2026 at 8:30 pm ICT / 11:30 pm AEST
  • Assessment, selection and outcome of application: August 2026
  • Program commencement: Monday, 7 September 2026
  • Australia Immersion Week: Late September - early October 2026 (TBC)
  • Thailand Immersion Week: Monday, 16 - Friday, 20 November 2026
  • Program completion: Friday, 27 November 2026

The application and program dates for Round 2 and 3 will be announced once confirmed. These rounds will be delivered in 2027.

Who should consider applying

This opportunity is best suited to eligible Thai and Australian organisations who are interested in advancing sustainable agrifood systems development. Eligibility criteria can be found in the FAQs.

We know innovation flourishes when different perspectives are heard and embraced. We encourage applications from underrepresented communities, including women, first nations, people with disabilities, and those supporting social inclusion.

We invite applications from eligible organisations who are actively developing a solution that aligns with one or more of the Challenge Statements below:

Challenge statements

1. Can you improve the scalability and reduce the cost of functional and novel food, feed, and ingredients by adding value while maintaining food safety?

Although significant research focuses on developing novel food, feed, and ingredients and upcycling by‑products from agriculture and food processing, many related technologies remain uncompetitive. Greater innovation and collaboration across the value chain are essential to creating cost‑effective, safe pathways for novel and functional food, feed, and ingredients. 

2. Can you improve the affordability, desirability, and scalability of nutrient‑rich functional and novel foods that support consumer health and wellbeing?

Consumers often struggle to make healthy food choices due to the prevalence of affordable high‑calorie, low‑nutrient foods. To enhance the health and wellbeing of the growing and ageing population across the Asia‑Pacific, innovative food products and ingredients that provide better nutrition while meeting food safety standards and consumer expectations for taste, texture, and price are needed.

3. Can you use local produce and knowledge to create functional and novel food and ingredients while respecting Indigenous or ethnic groups and returning value to local communities?

Local communities offer valuable resources for developing novel food ingredients. However, additional research and demonstration projects are needed to establish scalable use cases and gather evidence for market access. Note: “Indigenous” in this context refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), as well as ethnic groups in Thailand.

4. Can you facilitate better consumer acceptance and trust of functional and novel food, feed and ingredients?

Consumer concerns about the safety, naturalness, and ethical issues, along with limited awareness of their health benefits, hinder the commercialisation of future food products. Addressing these barriers requires improving the communication strategies and the lag time between marketing and effective market positioning, and efforts to encourage the adoption of functional and novel foods. 

5. Can you optimise aquaculture systems through innovation in feed?

As demand for aquaculture protein grows, there is increasing pressure to develop climate‑resilient, cost‑effective feed systems, sustainable aquaculture practices, and industry solutions. Scientific innovation in cost‑effective feed is essential to prevent disease and enhance fish and prawns’ quality and growth rates.

6. Anything we’ve missed? Tell us why your technology or solution aligns to sustainable agrifood systems development.

We invite applications for solutions, technologies, or products that support the development of sustainable agrifood systems and are not specifically addressed in the detailed challenge statements.

How to apply

Applications for Round 1 Sustainable Agrifood Systems Development must be submitted by Friday 31 July 2026 at 8:30 pm ICT / 11:30 pm AEST. Ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria before submitting your application.

Submit your application

The application portal will be kept open following the Round 1 intake, so interested organisations can submit applications for Round 2 and 3, to be delivered in 2027.

To be notified of program news, call for applications and upcoming rounds, please subscribe to our mailing list.

Key documents

Before applying, you are encouraged to read the Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program Guidelines and supporting documentation relevant to your country and review the Frequently Asked Questions including eligibility criteria.

Australian applicants

Thai applicants

Our collaborators

The Thailand-Australia Venture Exchange Program is sponsored by the Australian Government through the Southeast Asia and Australia Government Partnerships program, and managed by CSIRO, Australia‘s national science agency, in partnership with the Government of Thailand through the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and the Research University Network Thailand (RUN).

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