RESEARCH SCOPE
The scope of the National Environmental Science Programme (NESP) is to deliver applied
environmental science, particularly focussed on biodiversity and climate systems research.
The NESP is a competitive merit-based grants programme that will be delivered primarily
through six thematic hubs:
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Threatened Species Recovery Hub
Tropical Water Quality Hub
Marine Biodiversity Hub
Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub
Earth Systems Hub
Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub
Indicative funding for the programme is detailed in the table at the end of this document.
Scope of Hubs
This document outlines the scope of research that is to be conducted under each hub. The
scope has been developed to address Australian Government priorities for environmental
research. NESP applicants should identify a single thematic hub and develop their
application to reflect the scope of the hub identified in this document. It is anticipated that
successful applications would incorporate:
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appropriate levels of Indigenous engagement
appropriate balance of social, economic and biophysical research
sufficient expertise and capacity to address all elements of research covered through
each hub theme
The research scope is not definitive and applicants are encouraged to consider research that
is consistent with the theme of the hub. Applicants are encouraged to consider how the
research proposed under their hub would intersect and integrate with the scope of other
NESP hubs.
Please refer to the programme guidelines (www.environment.gov.au/nesp) for full details on
the application process.
Threatened Species Recovery Hub
Research to support efficient regulation and investments to manage threats and improve
recovery of threatened species and biodiversity. The hub will cover both terrestrial and
freshwater ecosystems. Areas of research include:
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Effective approaches to recover threatened species including practical research
projects, strongly aligned with the Threatened Species Commissioner
Practical delivery of on-ground threatened species recovery trials
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Incorporation of NESP biodiversity research into the development and
implementation of on-ground environmental programs (e.g. Landcare, 20 Million
Trees, Emission Reduction Fund)
Strategic and evidence based approaches to managing threatened species in a
streamlined regulatory environment (e.g. One Stop Shop)
Monitoring and reporting for threatened species including support for State of the
Environment reporting.
Tropical Water Quality
Research to maintain and improve coastal and marine water quality particularly focused on
the Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and other tropical waters. Areas of research include:
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Coastal management (including rivers and streams) and risk abatement for
environmental impacts on tropical water quality from infrastructure, agriculture,
extreme events and biosecurity threats
Management, monitoring and reporting for coastal species including status, trends
and threatening processes
Practical delivery of tropical water quality trials.
Marine Biodiversity
Research on planning and monitoring for Australia’s oceans and marine environments,
including temperate coastal water quality. Areas of research include:
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Build national capacity for monitoring and reporting on coastal and marine species
and ecosystems
Support national approaches to marine planning including research to support
evidence-based decision making
National approaches to protection and conservation of marine species
Mapping and defining the impact of sewerage outfalls on Australia’s marine
environment.
Northern Australia Environmental Resources
Research to support sustainable development of the unique northern environments: Areas of
research include:
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Managing and monitoring terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity
Catchment and coastal land and water planning for urban, agricultural, and
infrastructure development
Indigenous land management including Indigenous Protected Areas
Kakadu and tropical rainforests.
Earth Systems
Research to model climate variability and the climate system in Australia. With a focus on
the southern hemisphere, the hub will further our understanding of the drivers of Australia’s
climate. The hub will contribute to the integration of Australian climate modelling from
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National Environmental Science Programme Research Scope
weather forecasting to long-term climate projections and scenarios. Areas of research
include:
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Building national capacity to understand and predict climate variability and extremes
in Australia and their broad implications for the environment and society
Capacity to model past, present and future climate, including understanding and
modelling drivers of Australia’s climate system to support informed management and
decision making
Developing Australia’s capacity to model future climate with a particular focus on
projections and scenarios that inform coastal impacts and coastal erosion. This
includes research into coast and climate interaction through a nationally co-ordinated
approach.
Clean Air and Urban Landscapes
Research to support environmental quality in our urban areas. Areas or research include:
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Air quality and air pollution, including the Governments priorities under the Clean Air
pillar of the Cleaner Environment Plan
Research to improve liveability and environmental quality in urban areas
Greening, biodiversity and ecological improvement of urban landscapes
Incorporation of NESP research into the development and implementation of onground environmental programs (e.g. Green Army, 20 Million Trees, Emission
Reduction Fund)
Emerging Priorities Funding
In addition to the six hubs, a small component of funding will be available each year for
research projects to address emerging priorities.
The Department will consider small research proposals for emerging priorities funding on an
annual basis, for research commencing in the 2015/16 financial year. Annual submission
details will be available on the Department’s website at www.environment.gov.au/nesp .
The Minister for the Environment will work with the Department to determine research
projects (based on submitted proposals and other projects identified by the Department) that
will be addressed through emerging priorities funding.
NESP hubs or other research organisations and community groups are eligible for this
funding. Successful funding recipients would be expected to contribute appropriate coinvestment to the project.
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National Environmental Science Programme Research Scope
Indicative Funding
To assist the development of applications, indicative annual funding amounts are provided in
the table below. Funding amounts are based on calendar year allocations with funding to
begin in January 2015. The funding period will be up to six years, with possible extension of
the NESP hubs and emerging priorities for a further two years if the Minister considers it to
be in the interests of the programme. The final funding allocated to hubs and emerging
priorities may vary from these indicative amounts.
Programme funding in the first six months of 2015 will be slightly reduced compared to
normal annual funding to take account of reduced funding requirements during the initial hub
planning phase.
Funding for a full annual research scope under the Earth Systems Hub will not be available
until the 2016/17 financial year. This is to take account of existing contracted funding for the
Australian Climate Change Science Programme to June 2016. It is envisaged that a small
allocation of funding will be available for the Earth Systems Hub in the 18 months to June
2016. The primary purpose of this funding will be for the successful applicant to participate in
the planning phase of the NESP as detailed in the programme guidelines. In particular this
will allow the hub to develop a Research Plan, negotiate sub-contracts with research
partners, and implement governance arrangements. This period will also be used to ensure
research integration and cross-hub collaboration within NESP (including the Earth Systems
Hub), which is an important design element of the programme.
Table 1. Indicative annual funding amounts for NESP thematic hubs and emerging priorities research
Total available for NESP
Indicative annual (calendar year) funding ($ Million)
25.5
Threatened Species Recovery
Tropical Water Quality
Marine Biodiversity
Northern Australia Environmental Resources
Earth Systems
Clean Air and Urban Landscapes
Emerging Priorities
5.1
5.4
4.0
4.0
5.1
1.5
0.4
Applicant/third party contributions
All hubs are expected to commit and deliver to the programme a level of co-investment
(cash and in-kind contributions) equivalent to or greater than the amount of NESP funding
they receive. All partner organisations in a hub are expected to contribute resources to the
hub.
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National Environmental Science Programme Research Scope