One of our generation's greatest challenges is conserving the variety of plant and animal life—the biodiversity—for healthy ecosystems.
Nature Foundation's work on our nature reserves throughout South Australia and beyond aims to halt and reverse the unprecedented rate of species loss and conserve biodiversity. We aim to make significant contributions to conservation management locally and internationally.
Our commitment to ecological science to ensure we accumulate vital knowledge about our ecosystems is fundamental to Nature Foundation. Scientific research and collaborative partnerships underpin every aspect of our work. We partner with universities, visiting researchers, and research grant recipients who undertake research that aligns with our science strategy.
Nature Foundation undertakes a regular grants program funded by donations from our generous supporters. This program proudly funds research contributing to the conservation of Australia's biodiversity and habitats and supports university students and researchers in their work and careers.
Since 2003, Nature Foundation has awarded 456 grants in nature science to university students, universities and other research institutions, with a total value of more than $1.9 million.
Nature Foundation offers grants in several categories, from Honours and PhD work to early career research and other specific projects.
Our 2024 research grants round has recently opened, and we invite applications from students undertaking research in the environmental and nature science fields.
Nature Foundation's grants program provides funding in the following categories:
- Grand Start Grants Program for Honours, Masters and PhD students
- Nature Foundation Scientific Expedition Foundation RL & GK Willing Grant for Honours students
- Roy and Marjory Edwards Scholarship for Masters and PhD students
- along with the Mike Bull Award for Early Career Nature Scientists
See full details on grant categories here, and how to apply here.
Applications close Sunday 28 April 2024, and successful recipients will be advised by June 2024.
If you would like to support our research grants program, you can donate to our Grand Start Grants appeal. Thank you.
Nature Foundation’s student research grant allowed me to conduct an additional field trip to collect a large volume of soil samples I otherwise wouldn’t have had the funds to undertake. These extra samples elevated the findings of my project and revealed some very interesting temporal changes in soil microbial communities that, without the extra field trip, would have gone undetected.
- Rebecca Greening, 2023 student research grant recipient