Several small research and development activities (SRAs) have proven that Mobile Acquired Data (MAD) can improve the efficiency, consistency and value of data collection and project monitoring of ACIAR projects. Research now needs to develop in-country standalone capacity. Papua New Guinea is a high priority country for digital data collection applications (apps), given that project partners there face infrastructural and labour challenges. In-country institutional capacity needs to be built to provide long-term support for research for development projects.