Bushland conservation grant

 Applications for grants are currently CLOSED

For a third year, we are pleased to offer the Bushland Conservation Grant (previously the Youth Engagement in Forest Conservation Research Grant), sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Trust (NRCT).

Our research grants are aimed at supporting PhD students and early career scientists undertaking research or conservation action within Victoria. They are also open to land managers, environmental educators, and community organisations (e.g "Friends of" groups) who are actively engaged in projects that increase understanding or persistence of biodiversity within Victoria.

The Bushland Conservation Grant is available to a single applicant for a value up to AU$3500.

This grant supports direct project costs only; indirect costs (overheads or institutional administrative charges) are not covered.

Eligibility

 

All grant applicants must:

  • Be actively engaged in research or work that increases knowledge or supports conservation of biodiversity within Victoria

  • Be affiliated with a Victorian-based research or higher education organisation

  • Be available to attend and present at the Victorian Biodiversity Conference in 2028.

Applicants should be aged 30 or under, or the research project should target this cohort, to incentivise, encourage, educate, or promote youth engagement in bushland and forest conservation.

In addition, applications must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  1. Research on improved systems for sustainable use and management of forests;

  2. Research on the protection of bushlands or forests from damage to favour conservation of soil, water and wildlife habitat;

  3. Research on ecosystem management to encourage owners, occupiers and managers of land to carry out tree plantings;

  4. Research on effective initiatives to enlist the interest and participation of youth in bushland and forest conservation.

To avoid conflicts of interest, current and past (<2 years) VicBioCon committee members are not eligible to apply.

Applicants who may have a conflict of interest with the Natural Resources Conservation Trust are also not eligible to apply.

The Bushland Conservation Grant for 2026 was awarded to Lauren Haylen from La Trobe University for:

“Revitalising Revegetation Sites: Investigating Methods to Generate Recruitment and Restore Greater Ecosystem Functioning to Revegetation Sites”

​We look forward to hearing about Lauren’s research at future conferences!