Priority Areas for Research Grants

ABRS National Taxonomy Research Grant Program

Contact details and further information

General enquiries
Australian Biological Resources Study
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601

Email: ABRSgrants@dcceew.gov.au

Introduction

Projects funded under the National Taxonomy Research Grant Program must be public good in focus and support the following specific criteria are used by ABRS to determine whether a project will be eligible for an ABRS grant:

1. Biodiversity, Conservation and Vulnerable and Endangered Species
2. Public, Plant and Animal Health
3. Building Taxonomic Capacity

1 Biodiversity, Conservation and Vulnerable and Endangered Species

Through their work, taxonomists provide information that is fundamental to the understanding and management of our biological world. To be considered for ABRS funding under this criterion, the researcher is required to demonstrate that the intended project will encompass one or more of the following areas:

1.1 Documenting Australia’s Biodiversity

Studies that contribute to documentation of Australia’s biodiversity, through identification, revision and documentation of understudied taxonomic groups

• This may include, for example, studies of taxonomic groups in largely unexplored habitats or molecular projects that make genetic information publicly available.

1.2 Conservation

Taxonomic research that provides critical data underpinning national responses to human-induced change, for conservation planning or for the rehabilitation of degraded environments

• This may include, for example, taxonomic or systematic research on a group likely to be effective as an indicator of climate change, or focused taxonomic research on a region subject to major development.

1.3 Vulnerable and Endangered Species

Taxonomic research that contributes to a greater knowledge of Australia’s vulnerable and endangered biological heritage, especially that listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

• This may include, for example, a revision of a genus to clearly establish the taxonomic position and conservation status of undescribed species, including species currently listed under the EPBC Act.

1.4 Identifying Australia’s Biodiversity

Tools and products that contribute to the identification of Australia’s biodiversity

• This may include, for example, an identification key for a taxonomic group at a national scale.

2 Public, Plant, Animal and Environmental Health

This criterion focuses on a range of research activities relevant to protecting Australians and Australia’s natural resource industries and its environment from elements of the Australian biota. To be considered for ABRS funding under the criterion of Public, Plant, Animal and Environmental health, the researcher is required to demonstrate that the proposed project contributes to one of the two following areas:

2.1 Public, Plant and Animal Health

Taxonomic research on native species that are, or have the potential to become, pests or agents of disease, or may be venomous or toxic and thereby threaten public, plant or animal health in Australia

• This may include the Australian component of a large taxonomic group that has non-indigenous representatives constituting a significant biosecurity risk, where there is a need to be able to distinguish between native and exotic species.

2.2 Environmental Health

Taxonomic studies that focus on Australian organisms that may aid in the rehabilitation, resilience or productivity of natural or cultivated environments.

• This may include projects that identify and document beneficial species within natural ecosystems, crops, pastures or waterways, e.g. soil crusts, algal colonies, nitrogen-fixing plants or invertebrates that play an ecosystem service.

3 Building Taxonomic Capacity

This criterion focuses on support for training and/or recruitment of taxonomists, especially for research on critical taxonomic groups. To be considered for ABRS funding under this criterion, the researcher is required to demonstrate that the proposed project will encompass one or more of the following areas:

3.1 Training of early career researcher/s

Taxonomic studies that include clearly specified opportunities for capture and passage of skills and information from professionals to junior colleagues

• This may include a project where there is a component that includes a clearly documented opportunity for passing knowledge from a more senior taxonomist to an early career researcher.

3.2 Knowledge Management

Taxonomic studies that include clearly specified opportunities for capture and passage of skills and information from retired professionals to younger colleagues

• This may include a project where there is a component that includes a clearly documented opportunity for passing knowledge from a retired taxonomist.

3.3 Exchange of International Expertise

Projects that facilitate international exchange of research expertise and training in areas that will boost Australia’s taxonomic capacity. Please note that NTRGP funds are not to be used for international travel.

The lasting benefits to Australian taxonomy must be clearly specified and must include capacity building.

For example, building collaborations that involve knowledge exchange from international experts to support research capacity of early career researchers, or working on a taxon for which there are currently no Australian-based experts.

2021–22 Final Priority Plant Taxa List