The National Environmental Science Program (NESP) is a long-term commitment by the Australian Government to environment and climate research. Phase 1 of this program invested $145 million from 2014-15 to 2020-21. The research hubs of the first phase of the program are:
- Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub
- Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub
- Marine Biodiversity Hub
- Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub
- Threatened Species Recovery Hub
- Tropical Water Quality Hub
- Emerging priorities
The second phase of the program (2020–21 to 2026–27) builds on the key achievements of this first phase.
Program guidelines
In 2014, we made decisions on program funding in accordance with these guidelines.
NESP Guidelines - Phase 1 (PDF - 2.93 MB)
NESP Guidelines - Phase 1 (DOCX - 196.74 KB)
Research priorities
The 2017 research priorities for each of the program research hubs.
NESP Research Priorities 2017 - Phase 1 (PDF - 158.51 KB)
NESP Research Priorities 2017 - Phase 1 (DOCX - 119.76 KB)
NESP data and accessibility guidelines
These guidelines outline the data and information management arrangements for the program. They reflect current industry standards for data management.
NESP Data and Accessibility Guidelines - Phase 1 (PDF - 664.38 KB)
NESP Data and Accessibility Guidelines - Phase 1 (DOCX - 1.18 MB)
NESP funding acknowledgement
Australian Government funding of NESP projects must be acknowledged on all published materials that result from research activities.
Information on acknowledging Australian Government funding for NESP projects - Phase 1 (PDF - 211.29 KB)
Information on acknowledging Australian Government funding for NESP projects - Phase 1 (DOCX - 105.4 KB)
NESP mid-term evaluation
The program was evaluated in 2017 by independent consultants Charterpoint. The mid-term evaluation report presents their findings and recommendations.
The review examined the efficiency and effectiveness of the program. All information and data referenced in the report represents the status of NESP as at 30 June 2017.
Read the NESP Mid-Term Evaluation Final Report - Phase 1 (PDF - 3.16 MB)
The review identified opportunities for improvements. Read our response to the 2 recommendations:
NESP Mid-Term Evaluation - Recommendations and Departmental Response - Phase 1 (PDF - 107.6 KB)
NESP Mid-Term Evaluation - Recommendations and Departmental Response - Phase 1 (DOCX - 70.48 KB)
Review of Indigenous engagement in the NESP
Indigenous engagement in the NESP was reviewed in 2019 by SGS Economic and Planning. The final report presents their findings and recommendations.
The purpose of the review was to identify Indigenous environmental and climate science research themes and questions, review existing resources to support Indigenous collaboration and undertake virtual consultations with Indigenous research stakeholders.
Previous programs
The current program builds on its predecessors: