The National Environmental Science Program (NESP) is a long-term commitment. It funds environment and climate research through an investment of $145 million from 2014–15 to 2020–21, and a further $149 million from 2020–21 to 2026–27.
The program supports decision-makers. It provides them with the best available information, based on world-class science. This helps them to better understand, manage and conserve Australia’s environment.
NESP recognises and values the experiences, perspectives and cultures of Indigenous Australians and supports Indigenous aspirations to maintain, protect and manage their culture, language, land and sea Country, and heritage. A cross-hub Indigenous Facilitation Network will be supported by the department to drive Indigenous inclusion at the program level.
NESP uses best-practice guidelines including Our knowledge our way: Indigenous-led approaches to strengthening and sharing our knowledge for land and sea management.
Watch the video
NESP feature video
The National Environmental Science Program delivers world-class science for world-class outcomes.
NESP feature transcript
The National Environmental Science Program brings researchers and land managers together to come up with solutions to some of Australia's biggest environmental challenges. The focus is on practical and applied research that really makes a difference on ground. [Professor Michael Douglas]
This important work strengthens our knowledge to support the recovery of Australia's threatened species and threatened ecological communities. By improving our understanding of Australian landscapes, marine environments and climate systems we can better protect threatened species and ensure their resilience now and into the future. [Dr Sally Box]
The National Environmental Science Program is a platform that brings together two knowledge systems; western science and traditional knowledge. [Ricky Archer]
This is an opportunity to bring those who have the expertise in Indigenous engagement and relationships with those communities into the room, to the table, to have discussions about what real priorities need to be, to acknowledge the real challenges that exist, and the opportunities that we have to address those challenges. [Duane Fraser]
My name is Simon Dempsey I'm part of the Bunitj clan and I work with the Kakadu National Park. We are doing some research on the para grass and working with the research team, it's been really awesome. They have the technologies is that we don't have, they are pretty much helping us out. If we do make some progress, then it will basically help out other Indigenous people, that basically works for every other ranger. [Simon Dempsey]
NESP research is informing on ground action to reduce threats and promote the recovery of Australia's threatened species. I look forward to this work continuing. [Dr Sally Box]
NESP Phase 2
This current phase of the program is building on phase 1 and past achievements by continuing to invest in research related to threatened species, climate systems and other key environmental issues.
Program guidelines, scoping documents and information are available at the Community Grants Hub.
The work is being delivered through 4 multi-disciplinary and applied research hubs. The hubs are partnerships between organisations that collectively bring together multiple disciplines and viewpoints to form a national capability.
The 4 hubs are:
This phase of NESP includes 4 applied research initiatives, each led by a single hub but progressed in conjunction with all hubs. These initiatives are designed to facilitate cross-hub collaborations on priority issues. These initiatives are:
- Threatened and migratory species and threatened ecological communities, led by the Resilient Landscape Hub
- Protected place management, led by the Marine and Coastal Hub
- Climate adaptation, led by the Climate Systems Hub
- Waste-impact management, led by the Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub.
Program information
NESP data and information guidelines
These guidelines outline the data and information management arrangements for the program. They reflect current industry standards for data management.
NESP data and information guidelines - Phase 2 (PDF 449.74 KB)
NESP data and information guidelines - Phase 2 (DOCX 1.88 MB)
NESP brand standards and funding acknowledgement
The NESP brand is designed to be used across all communication materials, including for program products through the department and hub products.
Australian Government funding of NESP projects must be acknowledged on all published materials that result from research activities.
NESP brand standards - Phase 2 (PDF 1.208 MB)
NESP brand standards - Phase 2 (DOCX 4.255 MB)
NESP Indigenous partnership principles
Building on our experience and lessons from phase 1 of NESP, the partnership principles in this document are provided as a guide in building effective collaborations. The principles will be applied across all NESP research.
NESP Indigenous partnership principles - Phase 2 (PDF 534.18 KB)
NESP Indigenous partnership principles - Phase 2 (DOCX 1.91 MB)
NESP knowledge brokering and communications strategy
This strategy was developed to guide NESP knowledge brokering and communication.
NESP knowledge brokering and communications strategy - Phase 2 (PDF 449 KB)
NESP knowledge brokering and communications strategy - Phase 2 (DOCX 1.9 MB)