Challenge

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global threat to human, animal, and environmental health, with significant implications for agribusiness, food production, and environmental sustainability. The University of South Australia sought to establish the Solving Antimicrobial Resistance in Agribusiness, Food and Environments (SAAFE) CRC to adopt a One Health approach to mitigating AMR. The challenge was to unite diverse stakeholders across industries and research disciplines, and to secure long-term funding for a national collaboration capable of addressing an estimated $283 billion economic threat.

Approach

CIS acted as Bid Manager, providing comprehensive support across bid development and the interview phase. Our role included:

• Project management and strategic advice to guide the bid process.

• Preparation of collateral to support partner engagement

• Support for partner engagement

• Tailored assistance to strengthen the application and prepare for interviews.

• Collaboration with stakeholders to ensure the bid reflected the breadth of industries impacted by AMR, from water and organic waste to aquaculture, horticulture, viticulture, animal feed, and livestock.

Outcomes

The SAAFE CRC secured a $34.5 million Commonwealth grant for a ten-year collaboration with 70 partners spanning water, organic waste, aquaculture, horticulture, viticulture, animal feed and livestock. Combined with partner contributions, total investment reached $149 million. The consortium is positioned to mitigate an estimated $283 billion economic threat from antimicrobial resistance by developing technologies and solutions to improve AMR management, thereby strengthening the resilience and profitability of Australia’s food and agribusiness industries.