Bushland Conservation Grant​​​

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For a second 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.

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 present at Victorian Biodiversity Conference in 2026 and will be attending the conference in 2025
   

Criteria

Applicants should be aged 30 or under, or the research project should be directed at 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.

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

To avoid conflicts of interest, please note that current and past (<2 years) VicBioCon committee members are not eligible to apply. Applicants that may have conflict of interest with Natural Resources Conservation Trust are also not eligible to apply.

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The Bushland Conservation Grant for 2025 was awarded to Shuqiao Zhang from

The University of Melbourne for:

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'Assessing the Fire Susceptibility of Alpine Ash Trees Across Different Aged Stands Following Tree Removal Treatments and Wildfire'​

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