The Global Challenges R&D program fits within RIRDC's National Rural Issues Portfolio. Its funding is made available by the Australian Government through RIRDC core allocations and collaborative partnership funding.

The Global Challenges Program is a new RIRDC initiative which collectively addresses impediments and opportunities to Australian agriculture that have arisen as a result of global forces. Initially, these challenges have been identified as:

• International and domestic trade policy.
• Improving agricultural productivity.
• Food security.
• Climate change.
• Emerging rural issues.