CWRT

Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust

Grants Program

Supporting Research in Sustainable Use of Wildlife and Game Management

About the Program

The Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust (CWRT) provide grants to support research and applied projects that advance the sustainable use of wildlife and effective game management in Australia.

The program is intended to:

  • Strengthen knowledge of sustainable harvest practices and wildlife utilisation.
  • Support conservation outcomes through the responsible management of game species.
  • Build research capacity among students, early-career researchers, and practitioners.
  • Promote partnerships between researchers, communities, landholders, and agencies.

Funding Priorities

CWRT will consider applications for projects that demonstrate direct benefit to the sustainable use of wildlife and game management. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Population monitoring, modelling and harvest assessment of game species.
  • Research into harvest quotas, season setting, or size/age limits.
  • Habitat management or restoration activities supporting sustainable game populations.
  • Application of technologies for wildlife monitoring (e.g. GIS, drones, remote sensing).
  • Human–wildlife conflict management relevant to game species.
  • Socioeconomic, policy and governance research related to wildlife utilisation, including Indigenous and community-based approaches.
  • Development of best practice standards for animal welfare in harvesting and utilisation.

Exclusions

The following activities will not be funded:

  • Projects not directly related to wildlife sustainable use or game management.
  • Campaigning or advocacy against the sustainable use of wildlife.
  • Purely theoretical studies without management application.
  • Captive breeding programs, unless linked to broader sustainable use outcomes.
  • Projects lacking the necessary permits, ethical approvals or stakeholder engagement.

Eligibility

Applications are invited from:

  • Honours and postgraduate students.
  • University and research institute staff.
  • Non-government organisations and community groups with relevant expertise.

All projects must:

  • Be conducted within Australia.
  • Demonstrate clear alignment with sustainable use of wildlife or game management.
  • Provide evidence of the applicant’s capacity to complete the project within the grant period.

Funding Available

  • Grants are for a maximum of $10,000 per project.
  • Eligible costs include fieldwork expenses, equipment, consumables, travel, workshops, and stakeholder engagement activities.
  • Eligible costs do not include labour, institutional on-costs and supervisory costs.

Application Guidelines

Applications should consist of a concise proposal (maximum 3–4 pages) accompanied by a brief CV of the Principal Investigator. Proposals must include:

  1. Project Summary – aims, species or systems studied, and relevance to sustainable wildlife use or game management.
  2. Background and Rationale – the need for the project and its contribution to conservation outcomes.
  3. Methods – study design, data collection and analysis, including ethical and legal approvals.
  4. Stakeholder Engagement – details of partnerships with landholders, Indigenous groups, hunters, agencies, or other stakeholders.
  5. Timeline – key milestones and anticipated completion date. Funding is allocated for a maximum of 3 years.
  6. Budget – itemised costs with justification.
  7. Expected Outcomes – anticipated benefits for wildlife management, policy or community understanding.
  8. Supporting Documents – applicant CV, reference, and evidence of permits where applicable.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Relevance – alignment with sustainable wildlife use and/or game management.
  • Scientific Merit – robustness of methodology and feasibility.
  • Practical Impact – potential to inform management, policy or practice.
  • Value for Money – cost effectiveness and appropriate use of funds.
  • Collaboration – involvement of relevant communities, agencies, or stakeholders.

Conditions of Funding

Recipients will be required to:

  • Submit annual progress reports for projects running for more than 12 months. Failure to submit annual reports may result in the termination of funding, and a request to return all monies to CWRT.
  • Submit a final report within 12 months of receiving funding. Failure to submit a final report may result in a request to return all monies to CWRT.
  • Acknowledge CWRT support in all related publications, presentations, and outputs.
  • Provide copies of outputs for inclusion in CWRT communications and website.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted by email to [email protected] with the subject line:
CWRT Grants Program – Application.

Please submit your proposal and supporting documents as a single PDF.

Further Information

For further information or enquiries, please contact:

Matthew Godson
Trustee – Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust (CWRT)
Email: [email protected]