A NSW Government website

Environmental Research

Grants of up to $200,000 for collaborations undertaking applied research in priority environmental themes.

Expressions of interest for the 2025 round closed on 9 April 2025. The program will re-open for expressions of interest in February 2026.

Purpose

The Environmental Research Grants Program provides funding for applied research in priority environmental themes to help address contemporary environmental problems in New South Wales.

The objectives of the program are to:

  • increase knowledge and advance techniques to solve priority environmental problems in New South Wales
  • assess and test application of innovative solutions to decrease environmental degradation in New South Wales
  • discover new methods of operation for NSW industries that are less harmful to the environment.

Who can apply?

We offer grants to eligible applicants who work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders. Eligible applicants include:

  • universities
  • government agencies (including councils)
  • incorporated community organisations or groups
  • Local Aboriginal land councils.

Applicants must demonstrate that they have the capability to undertake the applied research. See the program guidelines for an extensive list of eligible applicants.

Applicants must also include relevant collaborators and end-users as project partners for the proposed research. Collaborators are partners who can help deliver the project. End-users are partners who will use the research findings in a meaningful way. See the program guidelines for more information on collaborators and end-users.

Priority themes

The priority themes for the 2025 round of the Environmental Research Grants Program were based on the NSW Environmental Trust Strategic Plan 2024 to 2029 which focuses on the most critical environmental issues across the state. The plan is informed by extensive research and stakeholder consultation.

The strategic priorities are:

  • prioritise healthy Country and recognise and value Aboriginal peoples, their traditional knowledge and practices, and connection to Country
  • restore ecosystems and biodiversity
  • strengthen environmental management.

See the program guidelines for more information on how applicants to the 2025 round were required to align project proposals with the priority themes.

Funding available

$1 million was available for grants of up to $200,000 each.