In 2008-09 RIRDC will establish a new program called Emerging Rural Issues.

The new program will generate information about possible future trends and assess future conditions and their likely impact on rural industries and communities based on current experience and trends.

The program will be funded from RIRDC core contributions provided by the Australian Government.  The program will also explore the potential for collaboration with other research and development corporations and will complement RIRDC's research into more mature issues