$1 million in Environmental Research grants now available

The NSW Office of Environment & Heritage has announced that its 2017 Environmental Research grants program is now open for expressions of interest (EOIs), with a total of $1 million in funding available for this year.

The aim of the program is to support applied research projects that help address environmental problems in NSW, with the agency’s chief executive and trust secretary, Michael Wright, saying the funding will go towards solving current and future environmental issues with innovative and sustainable research solutions.

“The funding supports academics and scientific institutions, working in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, as they use applied research to investigate new knowledge and advanced techniques to answer complex environmental issues,” Wright said.

Wright revealed that past funding has played a role in projects such as investigating the ecological benefits of blackwater and examining identification of hazardous organics at fire scenes. With new research priorities now set for the 2017 program, he said, proposals must focus on contaminants and pollution, biodiversity, climate adaption and/or mechanisms for social engagement.

Individual grants of up to $150,000 are available, said Wright, who encourages interested researchers to apply.

“A total of 187 expressions of interest were received in the last funding round; I anticipate high interest in this round too,” he said.

EOIs will close on Monday, 13 March at 3 pm, with invitations to the next stage expected to be sent out in late May. For more information, visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/research.htm.