Guidelines for Friends of the ANBG Research Scholarships

Contact
For queries about this scholarship program, please contact the ANBG at
ANBGadmin@dcceew.gov.au.

(These Guidelines are available in downloadable PDF format HERE.)

Overview and scope
The Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens (FANBG) Annual Research Scholarship (FANBG research scholarship) supports research students enrolled at a university (Honours, Masters or PhD) to engage in collaborative research projects with the ANBG that bring direct benefits to the Gardens and its objectives. The scholarship encourages the use of the ANBG living collections (seed and inground) and herbarium collections for research and conservation.

The annual scholarship aims to enhance the knowledge and conservation of Australia’s diverse plant heritage, contributing to the ANBG’s mission to inspire, inform and connect people with Australian flora. Projects that focus on the shared aims of the FANBG and ANBG are encouraged. The shared aims are 1) protection and conservation of Australian native flora; 2) research that creates an improved understanding of Australian plants for horticulture, botany and conservation; and 3) providing scientific and conservation information to the community.

Funded projects will focus on building knowledge of the Australian native flora and its conservation, e.g. ecology, taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics, evolution and understanding reproductive and growth characteristics (including seed germination), horticulture, physiology, population genetics, and seed banking. Projects may also include other research relevant to the Gardens, for example research on the wildlife and physiochemical environment of the Gardens, providing scientific and conservation information to the community, or many other academic fields with beneficial outcomes for the ANBG and its goals.

The primary supervisor will be based at the university in which the student is enrolled with a co-supervisor or advisor based at the ANBG or the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR). There are several active research scientists in CANBR and qualified ANBG staff with capacity to co-supervise research students. The scholarship may be used to assist students with a stipend or operating expenses to undertake an Honours, Masters or PhD research project with a focus on Australian native plants.

Don Beer Scholarship
As part of the FANBG Student Scholarship program, the Don Beer Scholarship is awarded in honour of the late Don Beer and his legacy of work with the ANBG, including as convenor of the Volunteer Guides and member of the Council of the FANBG.  He devoted some thousands of hours researching the history of the Gardens, culminating in the publication in 2020 of the 330 page book: Miracle on Black Mountain – A History of The Australian National Botanic Gardens (2020) Halstead Press.

Scholarships
Scholarships of up to $7,500 will be awarded annually to Honours, Masters or PhD students. Successful applicants undertaking Masters or PhD programs will be awarded the scholarship for each year of full-time equivalent study (to a maximum of two years for a Masters and $15,000 and three years for a PhD with a maximum of $22,500), pending submission of a satisfactory annual progress report (see Reporting Requirements, below). Part-time students will be awarded the scholarship on a pro-rata basis. A maximum of 3 scholarships, including one Don Beer Scholarship, will be awarded in any single year.

Eligibility

• Scholarships are not available to individuals but will be awarded to universities (on behalf of students). If applicable, the university will administer a stipend to the individual through regular payments.
• Scholarships will only be awarded for students who are enrolled in an Honours, Masters or PhD program at an Australian University.
• Masters by Research and PhD students must have been awarded a stipend scholarship (e.g. an Australian Research Training Program Scholarship).
• Students who applied for a FANBG scholarship and were unsuccessful can re-apply at the next funding round.
• Projects must meet the objectives of the ANBG, include an ANBG co-supervisor, advisor, or at minimum consultation with ANBG, and proposals must be submitted on the template provided.

Assessment
Applications and progress reports (for multi-year scholarships) will be assessed by a panel of ANBG staff and FANBG representatives based on the following assessment criteria:

• Alignment with the FANBG Scholarship objectives (Appendix 1).
• Relevance of the proposed research to the ANBG and its strategic objectives (Appendix 2), such as use of ANBG as a research site, use of the ANBG living, seed or herbarium collections, involvement of ANBG staff as co-supervisors, and/ or alignment with ANBG research areas.
• Expected benefits for the ANBG.
• Quality of the research for advancing knowledge of Australia’s diverse plant heritage and supporting its conservation.
• Feasibility of the research including realistic timeframes, appropriate methodology and achievable objectives.
• Preference will be given to students at an early stage of an Honours, Masters or Doctoral program.
• Student track record, as identified by their academic transcript and CV.
• For assessment of second- and third-year scholarships (for Masters and PhD students), the project progress and achievements will be considered.

How to apply
Informal expression of Interest
Applicants are advised to discuss or develop their project ideas with ANBG staff prior to applying. This will help strengthen strategic alignment and can explore whether an ANBG staff member may be available to co-supervise the project alongside a primary supervisor from your university.
Please contact the ANBG at ANBGadmin@dcceew.gov.au to start this process.

Apply
*  Please ensure that you discuss with your grants office prior to submission, if required by your university.

Complete the Application Form [available HERE]. Application forms must be saved as a pdf file and emailed to the ANBG at ANBGadmin@dcceew.gov.au.

Applications will open on August 3^rd until October 12^th 2026. Applications will be assessed, and successful scholarships announced prior to commencement of the following academic year.

Note: applications may be considered for mid-year start if they arise. These applications will be due end of February.

Reporting requirements
Scholarship recipients will be expected to:

• Deliver a presentation to the Friends of the ANBG as part of their regular seminar program, and/or to submit a brief article for publication in Fronds, the FANBG newsletter.
• Provide a copy of their thesis, plus any publications arising from their research to the ANBG Library (via email to ANBGadmin@dcceew.gov.au or ANBG/CANBR contact or co-supervisor).
• Acknowledge the FANBG and the ANBG in all research publications, talks, media and other products resulting from the student’s research or the broader collaboration.
• For multi-year scholarships awarded to Masters or PhD students, provision of second- or third-year scholarships will be subject to submission of a satisfactory progress report, due annually in November.

Administration

• Scholarships awarded will be paid to the University, not to the individual directly.

General conditions

• Scholarships are intended to support students in their research, e.g. to attend conferences, undertake fieldwork, or as a personal stipend.
• Scholarship funds cannot be used for the general administration of the University or Department, administration fees, or to purchase research equipment that should be made available by the research department
• Scholarships for part-time students will be assessed and awarded as for full-time students.
• Acceptance of the scholarship will imply that permits will be obtained from the relevant government authorities if the research requires permission to work in protected areas, or to collect plant and animal specimens. The ANBG will assist with permit applications to conduct research on the ANBG site or to collect biological material from the ANBG site. For more information about ANBG permits see:
  • ANBG research permits: 
    https://www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/research/permits/extermal-research/index.html
  • Release of biological material from the ANBG: 
    https://www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/research/permits/index.html

Appendix 1. FANBG Scholarship Objectives
The purpose of the research project must be consistent with the following:
(a) the protection and enhancement of plant diversity or of a significant aspect of plant diversity; or
(b) the provision of information or education, or the carrying on of research, about plant diversity or a significant aspect of plant diversity.

Appendix 2. ANBG Goals
The Australian National Botanic Gardens Management Plan 2022 – 2032 sets out the goals for the ANBG over a 10-year period, including how the ANBG contributes to botanical research and education on Australian plants. The four overarching goals are:

Goal 1: Research supports an improved understanding of Australian plants for horticulture, botany, and conservation.

Goal 2: Develop, manage and curate world-class physical and digital collections, providing information and knowledge about Australian plants.

Goal 3: Engage and inspire communities in valuing and appreciating Australia’s plant heritage.

Goal 4: Demonstrate best practice, innovation, and sustainable management.

Other ANBG priorities to be considered:

• Climate change and Pathogen Research: The ANBG prioritises research into the impacts of climate change on Australian flora and the capacity of native species to withstand emerging and existing plant pathogens (eg Myrtle rust).
• First Nations Knowledge Integration: The ANBG is committed to strengthening the consensual inclusion of First Nations knowledge in its research programs, ensuring culturally informed and scientifically enriched approaches to understanding to conserving Australian plants.