Engineered timber, modern methods of construction (MMC), forest health, and climate solutions are among the priority areas in Australian Forest and Wood Innovations’ third National Open Call for Research — with expressions of interest opening from today and running until 14 May.
Speaking to Wood Central following an information session today, AFWI Executive Director Dr Joseph Lawrence — who heads the $200 million R&D body backed by $100 million in federal funding — said the round was designed to drive structural reform across Australia’s forest and wood products sector, with a premium placed on bold, unconventional proposals.
“Australia’s housing challenge won’t be solved with business-as-usual construction,” Dr Lawrence said. “AFWI’s National Open Call is about unlocking timber innovation that can deliver faster housing while strengthening forests and climate outcomes.”
Dr Lawrence was joined at the session by Deputy Director Dr Patrick Mitchell and Kathryn Fox, AFWI’s new Research Funding Manager, who outlined the EOI process and funding requirements for applicants. So far, more than 30 projects have been supported by AFWI’s first two open-round projects and its three research centres, with the third call targeting the full forest and wood products value chain, with a special focus on the housing value chain.
It comes as the federal government has committed $54 million to develop modern construction methods in Australia — part of a broader policy package that has seen prefab and modular housing recognised under the National Housing Accord.
According to Dr Lawrence, projects must align with at least one of AFWI’s four strategic pillars — Healthier Forests, Maximising Fibre, Climate Solutions, and Housing Innovation — and demonstrate strong co-design with industry partners. Novel and out-of-the-box approaches to transforming the sector are specifically encouraged.
Grants range from $50,000 to $2.5 million, with matching co-contributions of at least 50 per cent of the total project cost required, and projects can run for up to 4 years. Eligible applicants include universities, CSIRO, industry associations, Indigenous organisations, not-for-profits, state and local governments, and private companies, with all projects based in Australia and holding a valid ABN.
Among the projects supported to date are the Modernising Timber Windows initiative — a project jointly led by the Timber Development Association and the Australian Glass and Window Association — which last week wrapped up its final round of testing under AS 2047, Australia’s mandatory standard for windows and external glazed doors.
In February, Kylan Low, the Structural Engineer at Timber Development Association, told Wood Central that the four configurations were put through combined air and water pressure trials representing storm conditions: a double-hung window, an awning and casement window, an awning and double casement window, and a centre bifold door. The configurations are designed to capture the range of hardware setups used across Australia’s joinery industry.
