Nature Foundation

Introducing Nature Foundation’s 2026 Research Grant recipients 👏
High quality science underpins our efforts to manage our unique biodiversity for future generations sustainably, and an essential aspect of this is offering research grants for university students and early career researchers, supported by our generous donors.

Since 2000, Nature Foundation has awarded $2,045,786 in research grants to post-graduate students, academics, and the community to kickstart careers in research, supporting 471 researchers.

Five student research grants were awarded in the 2026 round, along with the Mike Bull Award for Early Career Nature Scientists.

We are delighted to share this year’s research grant recipients and their projects with you. Read more about each recipient here: https://www.naturefoundation.org.au/news-events/latest-news/2026-research-grant-recipients

Jack O’Leary, Monash University - Grant Start Grants – Honours
Banded vegetation patterns in arid South Australia

Peyton Hampel, Adelaide University - Nature Foundation Scientific Expedition Foundation RL & GK Willing Grant
Functional Response of Dryland Vegetation to Herbivore Exclusion

Jake Thornhill, Adelaide University - Grand Starts Grants – PhD/Masters
Characterising subterranean biodiversity and assessing groundwater ecosystem response to anthropogenic pressures with environmental DNA

Charlotte Hogan, UNSW - Lynette Aplin 'Knowledge in Science' Research Grant
Understanding the role of soil microbes in maintaining arid-zone brown food webs and biodiversity

Caitlin La Rose, University of Sydney - Roy and Marjory Edwards Scholarship
Investigating the Impacts of PFAS on the Health of Australian Pinniped Pups in South Australia

Dr Pablo Recio Santiago, Mike Bull Award for Early Career Nature Scientists
Understanding the endrocrine mechanisms driving pair bonding in animals, specifically the sleepy lizard

Save the date for our next Science & Knowledge Webinar - Thursday 18 June 2026
💻 Webinar: Conservation Conversations: Dr Philippa Horton - Fifteen years of bird surveys at Witchelina
📆 Thursday 18 June 2026
🕐 1-2pm ACST
🎟️ Register for free: https://loom.ly/wR5qvfM

Twice-annual bird surveys at Witchelina Nature Reserve since 2010, conducted by Birds SA volunteers, have provided valuable insights that support our conservation efforts (and your support) make a difference for local and migratory species.

Dr Philippa Horton, a dedicated Nature Foundation member, Birds SA committee member, and editor of SA Ornithologist, has participated in these bird surveys over the years. Her passion for birds was sparked in the 1970s during a family holiday and led to a PhD in zoology and a career in ornithology research.

Philippa’s presentation will share the processes used for the bird surveys, including data compilation and use, the quantity and types of species identified, including a brief look at some threatened and Rare species.

Join us to gain valuable insights from Philippa about her fifteen years of bird surveys at Witchelina Nature Reserve and learn how they support conservation efforts.