Australian Flora Foundation Research Grants - Ian and Janet McConachie Macadamia Conservation Grant

The Australian Flora Foundation Research Grants, specifically the Ian and Janet McConachie Macadamia Conservation Grant, supports research focused on the ecology and conservation of macadamias. With a budget of up to $20,000 per year for three years, the grant aims to enhance understanding and conservation of Australian flora. Applications are open to qualified researchers and must be conducted in Australia, with a particular focus on addressing climate change threats and promoting biodiversity.

Background
The Australian Flora Foundation provides funding for research projects to individual researchers and research teams, to support original scientific studies on the biology, ecology, and cultivation of Australian plants
Established in 1981 with the aim of fostering scientific research on the biology and cultivation of Australian plants, it aims to support research that will create improved understanding and greater awareness of the value of the Australian flora, leading to pathways for their conservation and utilisation.
Grants will be awarded for research projects to commence in early 2027, with funds available from December 2026.
Ian and Janet McConachie Macadamia Conservation Grant:
To support one project annually for up to three years, with a budget of up to $ 20,000 per annum, focused on the ecology and conservation of macadamias. This grant scheme is funded by the Macadamia Conservation Trust.
Applications may be lodged under one scheme only
The Foundation’s three research priorities are:
Conservation of Australian plant diversity, particularly those facing threats from climate change;The cultivation of Australian plants, to ensure their survival; andReduce the threat to native ecosystems rare and endangered plants.

Eligibility

Grant applications can be submitted by single investigators or research teams.Applicants must be suitably qualified and experienced to lead a project; higher degree research students need to name a qualified project supervisor as co-investigator.Projects must be scientifically sound and aim to provide outcomes within the period of the grant.Applicants must perform the proposed research in Australia.A student (Honours/Masters/PhD) can be Lead Investigator, but must name a co-investigator who will assume responsibility for the completion of the project and the submission of the required reports if the student leaves prior to finalising these activities.

Ineligibility

While proposals on other topics will also be considered, research on taxonomy and phytochemistry is of lesser interest unless it forms part of a larger project. Research on orchids and marine plants, and flora surveys are not within the scope of the Foundation’s funding aims.The Foundation does not fund projects that are for conference travel, publications, research on orchids, or taxonomy. It gives a low priority to flora surveys per se. Institutional overhead costs cannot be included in the budget, nor does the Foundation fund conference travel and publication costs.