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**Novel dairy foods, functional foods, sustainability and process improvements are some of the exciting areas that could be explored by the recipient of the 2009 Innovation in Dairy Manufacturing Award.

**This inaugural Dairy Australia Award offers an innovation grant of $20,000 and an award certificate.

People currently working in the dairy food manufacturing sector or in industry related manufacturing, research or innovation are encouraged to apply.

Dairy Australia Programme Manager – Dairy Product Innovation – Dr Mani Iyer said the award offered an opportunity to bring innovation to dairy manufacturing in domestic and overseas markets. “This might provide the Australian dairy industry with a chance to learn from what others are doing overseas,” he said. “Applications could include any aspect of dairy manufacturing, from process or quality improvement to new product development.”

The grant may be used to initiate or progress manufacturing research, or to travel overseas to study a specific product or process that presents an opportunity for progressing innovation in the Australian dairy industry. Recipients of the award are expected to share outcomes and learnings with the wider industry on completion of the project.

“The award supports and encourages new ideas for industry innovation and broadens the skills of the recipient, while also benefiting the entire dairy industry through sharing information on innovation,” Dr Iyer said. “Dairy Australia is investing in the skills of tomorrow’s food innovators to make a better future for dairy.”

Full details on the 2009 Innovation in Dairy Manufacturing Award can be found on the Dairy Australia website: www.dairyaustralia.com.au