The Australian Government has announced a $6m scheme to pilot blockchain-based solutions for the mineral supply chain and food and beverage sector.
The scheme will involve two separate grants of $3m to trial the technology in each of the industries.
The government hopes its Blockchain Pilot Grants programme will demonstrate the potential for blockchain to reduce the regulatory compliance burden for businesses.
The grants are available to businesses or publicly-funded research organisations and applications must be made before 29 April.
The pilots aim to bolster blockchain literacy, develop blockchain solutions for government and showcase to industry the viability of the regulatory efficiencies of the technology.
The critical minerals pilot will build supply chain integrity and contribute to the Critical Minerals National Ethical Certification Scheme.
The food and beverage provenance pilot will specifically target excise tax on spirit production and aims to address the challenges of complying with excise tax regulations within production and the supply chain.
“We expect that successful applications will be a collaboration between multiple organisations, including regulators. Individuals can be included in a consortium,” said the business.gov.au website.
“We also expect that your application will include a plan to showcase Australian start-ups by including one or more Australian blockchain start-ups as part of your consortium or in some particular aspect of your project.”
The funding is expected to be channelled through the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
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