Eastern Yellow Robin. Photo: Meredith Foley

National Environmental Science Programme announcement

The Minister for the Environment, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, today announced the Australian Government’s long-term commitment to environment and climate research with funding of $25.5 million per year for the National Environmental Science Programme. The programme will support decision-makers to understand, manage and conserve Australia’s environment with the best available information, based on world-class science.  The Minister’s media release is available here.

The programme will be implemented through a competitive process in which groups of research institutions will apply to form research hubs, to commence in January 2015. Applications can be submitted by corporate Commonwealth entities. Non-corporate Commonwealth entities can be partners in applications for research hubs, but cannot be the applicant (i.e. the host institution). Groups within the Environment portfolio involved in any application will not be involved in the assessment of applications.

Applications are now open and must be submitted by 5 November 2014.

The six research hubs will focus on:

• Clean Air and Urban Landscapes – supporting environmental quality in urban areas.
• Earth Systems – furthering our understanding of the drivers of Australia’s climate.
• Marine Biodiversity – researching Australia’s oceans and marine environments, including temperate coastal water quality and marine species.
• Northern Australia Environmental Resources – supporting the sustainable development of our unique northern landscapes.
• Threatened Species Recovery – supporting the management of threats and improving recovery of threatened species.
• Tropical Water Quality – researching coastal water quality and coastal management focused on the Great Barrier Reef and other tropical waters.

More information is available at www.environment.gov.au/nesp

Research currently contracted under the National Environmental Research Program and the Australian Climate Change Science Programme will continue through to its scheduled completion in June 2015 and June 2016 respectively.

Science Partnerships
Department of the Environment
[email protected]
Ph. (02) 6274 2589  Fax. (02) 6274 2271

National Environmental Research Program | environmental research for decision making

The Science Partnerships Section manages key programs that deliver world class environmental research to decision makers, including the National Environmental Research Program (NERP), the Australian Climate Change Science Program (ACCSP) and the upcoming National Environmental Science Program (NESP).