Next funding round opens: 2 February 2026​

Next funding round closes: 13 March 2026

The a2™ Farm Sustainability Fund is open to current contracted dairy farms supplying a2 Milk™ in Australia and New Zealand.

Projects must:

• Align with key priorities: Expected outcomes must relate to one or more of the key priority areas.
• Be measurable: Applicants must outline how they will measure impact. 
• Have regulatory approval: Projects requiring regulatory approval must have it in place prior to application.

What’s not eligible: 

• Activities required as a condition for resource consents, development approvals, or planning permits.
• Activities that require, but have not been granted, a resource consent, development approval, or planning permit.
• Land purchases.
• Activities required under statutory regulation.
• Monoculture projects, such as pine plantations.
• Projects that include corrective actions raised during an audit.

Eligibility checks are required for all applications. If additional information is needed, our team will contact you before deciding whether to progress the application to the Investment Committee. 

Applications now open. 

 Eligible farmers in New Zealand and Australia are now eligible to apply for a 2026 a2™ Farm Sustainability Fund grant. 

Click the relevant link below to get started.

New Zealand

Australia

Application steps:

1. Register via the SmartyGrants link above for your region.
2. Begin your grant application. You can save and return to it at any time.
3. Complete your application online by selecting ‘Review and Submit’ and submitting your form.

The a2™ Farm Sustainability Fund supports contracted farmers supplying A1 protein free milk to make a positive impact on their farms and local communities. This is done through projects that reflect one or more of the key priority areas identified by The a2 Milk Company to support its overarching sustainability goals.

All initiatives funded by the a2™ Farm Sustainability Fund align closely with The a2 Milk Company’s broader sustainability goals to:

• Support our people, consumers, and communities to be healthy and safe to thrive; and
• Protect nature and the planet for future generations.

Projects fall into four major areas: climate, nature, cows and communities. The key priority areas are:

1. Reduce on-farm GHG emissions
2. Improve resilience or adapt to climate change
3. Improve animal health and wellbeing
4. Improve soil health and soil carbon sequestration
5. Reduce effluent run-off and enhance water quality
6. Increase water use efficiency
7. Increase on-farm natural and indigenous biodiversity
8. Adapt farm management systems to environmental challenges and opportunities.
9. Control and protect against invasive species
10. Build sustainable communities
11. Enhance employee health, safety and wellbeing
12. Support people development opportunities

Greenhouse gas emissions from farms supplying A1 protein free milk are part of The a2 Milk Company’s indirect emissions (known as Scope 3). Reducing on-farm emissions is one of the Fund’s key priorities. By funding projects that reduce emissions on suppliers’ farms, we help reduce the Company’s overall footprint.

Between 2017 and 2025, the a2™ Farm Sustainability Fund (or its predecessor scheme) awarded more than $2.7 million NZD across more than 115 projects in Australia and New Zealand.

Applications are evaluated by a regional Investment Committee made up of industry and academic experts in relevant fields, including regenerative agriculture, soil health, animal health and wellbeing, and farming systems. The Committee supports The a2 Milk Company by evaluating project applications and providing subject matter expertise and scrutiny.

As of 2026, the funding pool has increased to NZD $800,000 for projects with a maximum of NZD $35,000 (AUD $30,000) per grant. Under special circumstances, the Investment Committee may consider higher awards for certain proposals.

Grant recipients are required to complete a final report that aligns with their original project plan. Reports must include measures of improvement, results, before-and-after photos, and details of grant expenditure.

One of the essential funding criteria is measurability. Applicants must clearly explain how improvements will be objectively measured and reported.

One of the essential funding criteria is an ongoing commitment to maintain and upgrade the project in future years, ensuring benefits are long-lasting.

The a2™ Farm Sustainability Fund forms part of the company’s risk mitigation strategy, particularly for climate and nature-related risks.

As a company reliant on agriculture, The a2 Milk Company is exposed to physical risks from climate change, as well as transition risks from regulation and market pressures related to on-farm emissions. The Fund helps to mitigate these risks by supporting farmer-led projects that improve environmental outcomes and promote sustainable farming practices.

The Fund also strengthens the company’s social licence by demonstrating ethical, responsible, and community-focused operations, which are key to maintaining reputation and long-term value. Water use and quality are critical considerations. Projects such as riparian planting help reduce waterway pollution and improve biodiversity, directly addressing environmental risks in the supply chain.