Funding for research into iconic koalas

• The Palaszczuk Government is making a further $500,000 available for research projects aimed at protecting koalas and their habitats.
• Grants of up to $100,000 are available for projects that contribute to koala conservation and encourage community/volunteer participation and engagement.

Researchers, conservationists and community groups are being encouraged to apply to share in $500,000 in research project funding being made available through the Palaszczuk Government’s Koala Applied Research grants program.

The program provides grants of up to $100,000 to undertake practical and applied research projects in koala habitat protection and restoration, threat mitigation and community partnerships.

As the area of Queensland with the highest concentration of koala populations, the grants are targeted at projects within mapped Koala Habitat Areas in the south-east corner.

Applications are open for projects that contribute to koala conservation and encourage community/volunteer participation and engagement. This includes, but is not limited to, projects which focus on:

• Applied research into developing and protecting koala habitat
• Application of new methods and technologies to mitigate threats to koala populations
• Community and stakeholder engagement projects to improve community understanding of koalas and achieve koala conservation outcomes.

Successful projects from previous rounds have contributed to key research in current and potential habitat areas, research in koala road safety and monitoring, and in koala detection methods and tracking.

A total of $500,000 in funding is available in this round of the grant program and will empower researchers, conservationists, and community organisations to take action and contribute to the survival of this much-loved species.

Applications close at 4pm on Thursday, 23 November 2023.  

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard:

“The Palaszczuk Government is strongly committed to protecting and conserving koalas and their habitat.

“We are continuing to deliver on our South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy, which includes the strongest protections for koalas in the state’s history.

“However, despite implementing comprehensive protection strategies, this iconic species is listed as being endangered in Queensland.

“We must continue to work to protect them and their habitats.

“That is why we are making a further $500,000 available for research projects aimed at protecting koalas and their habitats.

“By supporting this applied research, we are taking meaningful steps towards a sustainable future for koalas, to ensure that Queensland remains a stronghold for this beloved species.

“These grants engage the community and Queensland’s key researchers to walk hand-in-hand in the great responsibility of preserving this national icon for future generations to come.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

Applicants are encouraged to read the guidelines before applying for funding and to visit the SmartyGrants online application system before beginning the application.

You can find out more at: www.qld.gov.au/CSAgrants.

ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler – 0409 472 893