Current Projects

Aug 01 2025

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New genetic tools for conserving Australia’s imperilled cycads

APSF25081 | Project Leader: J Clugston | Amount: $53,000

A project undertaken at Western Sydney University, and supervised by James Clugston Tropical Cycads are some of the oldest plant lineages, yet they are also among the most threatened. In...

May 01 2025

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Using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor bird and bat biodiversity in logged and old-growth tropical forests in Solomon Islands

APSF25051 | Project Leader: E Grant | Amount: $53,000

A project undertaken at The Queensland University of Technology, and supervised by Elektra Grant Tropical forests in the Asia-Pacific region host many endemic bird and bat species. Birds and bats...

Mar 07 2025

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Investigation into the role of naturally occurring neurotoxins as the cause of Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome

APSF25037 | Project Leader: V Gonzalez | Amount: $57,000

A project undertaken at The University of Queensland, and supervised by Viviana Gonzalez For more than 15 years, thousands of rainbow lorikeets in southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales...

Feb 09 2025

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In vitro evaluation of the growth performance of PNG taro (C. esculenta) using solid and liquid nutrient media under varying cytokinin and Auxin concentrations

APSF25029 | Project Leader: J Pilon | Amount: $35,500

A project undertaken at the Fresh Produce Development Agency, PNG and supervised by Joel Pilon Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is one of the most important food crops in Papua New Guinea...

Feb 01 2025

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Sizing up parallel evolution in island bats with genomics, ecology and ‘magic traits’

APSF25020 | Project Leader: T Lavery | Amount: $54,000

A project undertaken at the University of Melbourne, and supervised by Tyrone Lavery In nature, where the same environments appear repeatedly (e.g. across a chain of islands), evolution is given...

Mar 09 2024

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Distribution, ecology and conservation of the endemic periodic cicada (Raiateana knowlesi) in Fiji

APSF 24039 | Project Leader: F Saladrau | Amount: $25,812

A project undertaken at the Fiji Nature Conservation Trust, and supervised by Francis Saladrau Periodic cicadas are among nature’s most fascinating timekeepers, emerging in synchronized cycles that can span years...

Mar 08 2024

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Integrating genomics and culturomics to investigate microbial dark matter in a marine sponge

APSF 24038 | Project Leader: M Majzoub | Amount: $44,928

A project undertaken at the University of NSW, and supervised by Marwan Majzoub Marine microbial communities comprise the vast majority of earth’s biodiversity and perform significant roles in ecosystem functioning...

Mar 05 2024

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Reading the Shark’s bar-code: Sclerochronology of elasmobranch vertebrae through in-situ elemental and isotopic techniques.

APSF 24035 | Project Leader: O Alard | Amount: $39,347

A project undertaken at Australian National University, and supervised by Olivier Alard Elasmobranchs, a group of cartilaginous fishes including sharks, rays and chimaera, are critical to marine ecosystems, but face...

Feb 04 2024

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Investigating the role of mycorrhizal communities in the conservation and restoration of Drymoanthus adversus and D. flavus, two epiphytic orchids endemic to New Zealand.

APSF 24024 | Project Leader: : K van der Walt | Amount: $45,000

A project undertaken at Otari Native Botanic Gardens, and supervised by Karin van der Walt Mainland New Zealand (NZ) and its offshore islands are home to more than 100 species...

Jan 08 2024

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Aotearoa’s Rat Species: Investigating Viral Dynamics through an Ecological Lens

APSF 24008 | Project Leader: R French | Amount: $45,000

A project undertaken at the University of Otago, and supervised by Rebecca French Rats are often found in close proximity to humans in urban environments, and are regularly in close...

Jan 04 2024

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Do insects feel pain?

APSF 24014 | Project Leader: T White | Amount: $37,993

A project undertaken at the University of Sydney, and supervised by Thomas White All living things need to interact with the world outside themselves. Key to the separation of self...

Jan 04 2024

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Insights into the population genetics and reproductive biology of epaulette sharks (hemiscyllium) in Papua New Guinea

APSF 24004 | Project Leader: K Townsend | Amount: $45,000

A project undertaken at The University of the Sunshine Coast, and supervised by Kathy Townsend Epaulette sharks, also known as walking sharks, are a unique group of small, bottom-dwelling sharks...

Apr 07 2023

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Evolutionary history and phylogenomics of South West Pacific nocturnal bees.

APSF23047 | Project Leader: S Tierney | Amount: $44,606

A project undertaken at Western Sydney University, and supervised by Dr Simon Tierney. The hyperactivity of foraging bees is often associated with spring blossoms on bright sunny days. However, a...

Mar 09 2023

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Mapping the evolution of the marsupial pelvis.

APSF23039 | Project Leader: N Warbuton | Amount: $44,380

A project undertaken at Murdoch University, and supervised by A/Prof N Warbuton. At least 36 muscles attach to the bony pelvis in mammals, providing complex and integrated mechanisms for locomotion...

Mar 03 2023

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Do ultrasonic deterrents reduce disturbance and predation at the nest sites of threatened species?

APSF23033 | Project Leader: N Jordan | Amount: $35,600

A project undertaken at The University of New South Wales, and supervised by Dr Neil Jordan. Nest predation by mammals is a key threat to many native Australian species in...

Mar 01 2023

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Untangling drivers of decline – fire, drought, disease and their impacts on a threatened frog from south-western Australia

APSF23030 | Project Leader: N Mitchell | Amount: $44,487

A project undertaken at The University of Western Australia, and supervised by A/Prof Nicola Mitchell. Frogs are the most globally threatened group of vertebrates, with over a third of species...

Feb 07 2023

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Tracking the dynamics of first human arrival and subsequent adaptation in Central Vanuatu.

APSF23027 | Project Leader: S Bedford | Amount: $33,525

A project undertaken at The Australian National University, and supervised by A/Prof Stuart Bedford. The islands of the Pacific provide a rare opportunity globally to investigate the dynamics of first...

Feb 06 2023

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Understanding cell wall adaptability to environmental change in the Australian context for improved crop outcomes.

APSF23026 | Project Leader: A van de Meene | Amount: $42,210

A project undertaken at The University of Melbourne, and supervised by Dr Allison van de Meene. Australian environmental conditions range from hot and dry to temperate and tropical across the...

Feb 02 2023

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Growth response of pathogen- tested sweetpotato cultivars to Nitrogen application methods in highlands agro-ecological zones of Papua New Guinea.

APSF23022 | Project Leader: W Sirabis | Amount: $36,580

A project undertaken at PNG National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), and supervised by Mr William Sirabis Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam) is a historical staple crop in the Papua New...

Jan 03 2023

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When pregnant males deliver: how do seahorse fathers transport nutrients to embryos?.

APSF23003 | Project Leader: C Whittington | Amount: $44,201

A project undertaken at The University of Sydney, and supervised by Dr Camilla Whittington. While pregnancy is usually associated with females, some animals exhibit male pregnancy. This trait is very...

May 01 2022

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Illuminating the evolutionary history of New Guinea’s marsupial herbivores.

APSF 22050 | Project Leader: G Prideaux | Amount: $44,548

A project undertaken at Flinders University, and supervised by Prof Gavin Prideaux. The large, mountainous island of New Guinea forms the northern portion of the Australian continent, and is home...

Feb 01 2022

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Unpacking the Problem of Benthic Cyanobacterial Mats on Tropical Coral Reefs.

APSF 22021 | Project Leader: Amanda Ford | Amount: $41,888

A project undertaken at The University of the South Pacific Fiji, and supervised by Dr Amanda Ford. Tropical coral reefs are being fundamentally altered by climate change impacts and local...

Jan 04 2022

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Finding the sources of tsunamis in the Southwest Pacific: A case study on Niuatoputapu, Tonga.

APSF 22004 | Project Leader: A Lau | Amount: $36,620

A project undertaken at The University of Queensland, and supervised by Dr Annie Lau. The volcanic-generated tsunami in Tonga in early 2022 is a timely reminder of the devastating impact...

Nov 08 2021

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Evaluating salinity tolerance in diverse Taro (Colocasia spp.) wild relatives to enhance food security in the Pacific Islands.

APSF 21074 | Project Leader: B Campbell | Amount: $37,333

A project undertaken at The University of Queensland, and supervised by Bradley Campbell. The tropical root vegetable taro is under threat from rising sea levels. The future success of Pacific...

Dec 25 2020

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The evolution of complex vocalisations in male and female songbirds: the effect of morphology, ecology and life-history traits on vocal complexity.

APSF 20086 | Project Leader: M Roper | Amount: $40,000

A project undertaken at Massey University, and supervised by Michelle Roper. Songbirds are most known for their melodious song, but songbird vocalisations can range from simple, repetitive sounds through to...

Current Projects