Adaptation Research Grants Program

National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility

The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) leads the research community in providing information to the government to assist with understanding the risks of climate change impacts.

The key roles of NCCARF include:

• developing National Adaptation Research Plans to identify critical gaps in the information available to decision-makers
• synthesising existing and emerging national and international research on climate change impacts and adaptation and developing targeted communication products
• undertaking a program of integrative research to address national priorities, and
• establishing and maintaining adaptation research networks to link together key researchers and assist them in focussing on national research priorities.

Adaptation Research Grants

Priority Themes

Funding available

Government grants totalling up to $2 million from the Adaptation Research Grants Program will be available in this round to address research priorities in Primary Industries. The size of grants disbursed to individual research projects will vary depending on the scope of the project. Projects requiring support of less than $150,000 are unlikely to be funded.

Funding can be used for:

• Personnel salaries and on-costs, including research associates, professional officers, technicians, and laboratory attendants.
• Development or purchase of research resources, including;  Social Surveys, Software tools, Databases, and Minor items of equipment specifically required to support the research.
• Travel and communication costs associated with the research, including costs of Workshops and similar meetings, Face-to-face interviews, and Research planning meetings.

Funding may not be used for:

• Capital works and general infrastructure,
• Salaries of researchers other than those directly employed on the project,
• Special Studies Programs,
• Student fees or HECS liabilities, or
• Computers and other information and communication facilities that duplicate existing capacity.

1. Appropriateness – The extent to which the project addresses one (or more) of the identified research priorities.
2. Challenge and Innovation – The extent to which the project addresses a significant gap in scientific knowledge, and/or develops new tools or methods that meet an identified need(-s), using approaches that are innovative and/or creative.
3. Project Design – The extent to which the project has clearly stated objectives which address research priorities set out in Section 4. Is the project design the best method to address the specific research question?
4. Feasibility – Scientific and technical feasibility of the project based on current knowledge and understanding. Are any risks clearly acknowledged and addressed?
5. Track Record – The extent to which the proposed researcher/research team have the capacities and competencies necessary to undertake a research project of national importance (including time allocation of key personnel to project).
6. Co-funding – How much co-funding does the project include (both cash and in-kind contributions) from either the proposer and/or other funding sources? Proposers should also indicate the potential for acquiring additional funding for the project in the future.
7. Capacity Building – To what extent does the project develop research capacity through strategies such as the involvement in the project of early career researchers or the formation of significant and innovative cross-disciplinary teams?
8. End User Relevance – Does the proposal demonstrate that the project will address end user needs/benefit end users? Are end users and/or decision makers involved in the development of the proposal (e.g. via engagement through the Network)? Are they involved in the project (e.g. via on-ground activities, direct engagement, steering committees or review panels)?
9. Value for money – The extent to which the outputs of the project represent the best value for money available, in relation to national benefit?

How to apply

All applicants should first download a copy of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Primary Industries

Applicants should also download the application package doccontaining more information, application details and guidelines.

• Download the Application Guidelines
• Download the Expressions of Interest form
• Download the Implementation Plan