Research Grant for the Conservation of Bushland

Applications for the 2027 research grant of $2500 are welcomed from honours, masters and PhD students. To apply, complete this application form electronically, save it and email it to secretary@step.org.au by 31 March 2027. We will announce the winner by 30 April 2027.

2026
Georgie Brennan (School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, PhD) Understanding Generalist Pollination Systems in Australian Native Flora: A Case Study with Sydney Dwarf Apple Gum Angophora hispida

2024
Solomon Maerowitz-McMahan (Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, PhD) Exploring Mycorrhizal Resilience: Insights from Post-hazard Reduction Burns in Ku-ring-gai Chase Forests

2023
Margarita Gil-Fernández (Macquarie University, PhD) Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity Associated with Small Mammals in Response to Anthropogenic Disturbance

2022
Chantelle Doyle (UNSW, PhD) Ecology of the Critically Endangered Hibbertia spanantha (interview about Chantelle's work on how genetic rescue helps struggling native plant species on The Science Show)

2021
Erin Rogers (Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Master of Research) Phosphorus Liberation on Low Fertility Soils with Fire: How does it Affect the Re-growth Capacity of Native Plants?

Note: Data from North Head was included in this paper by Kazi Mehnaz, Erin Rogers and David Ellsworth (2026) Leaf phosphorus allocation and photosynthesis in native Australian plants differs between soil parent material types, Plant Soil https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-026-08407-9.

2020
Ruby Paroissien (UNSW, honours) Impact of Changes in Fire Seasonality on the Reproductive Success of the Post-fire Flowering Species, Doryanthes excelsa

Note: Ruby's research was published in Environmental and Experimental Botany, vol 192, Dec 2021, 104634. You can also download a PDF of the paper, Effects of fire season on the reproductive success of the post-fire flowerer Doryanthes excelsa.

2019
Gabriella Hoban (UNSW, honours) Soil Characteristics as Indicators of Restoration Trajectories in Urban Woodlands

2018
Katie Rolls (Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, PhD) Adaptive Capacity of Widespread and Threatened Acacia Species to Climate Change