Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF)
- CERF Research
- Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility
- Data and information guidelines
- Future environmental biodiversity research program
World-class research for Australia's unique environment
Future direction of the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities
On the 19th of February 2010, the Environment Minister announced a concerted focus on biodiversity for the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) program that will mark the International Year of Biodiversity.
The Australian Government program provides more than $20 million each year for environmental research in Australia. The first stage of CERF, which began in 2006, ends in June 2010.
The Australian Government recognises the vital role research plays in delivering environmental management, policies and programs and the International Year of Biodiversity provides an excellent opportunity to redirect funds to targeted areas of research while building on the lessons learned from the current program.
The current CERF program provides funding for research with a strong 'public good' focus. CERF promotes research in areas identified as priorities, including Australia's natural assets, threats and risks and the social and economic aspects of our environment.
For the future program, the Australian Government is considering three or four large research groups or hubs to research emerging biodiversity issues in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, across Northern Australia, and the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.
2010 CERF Conference
The 2010 CERF Conference 'What have we learnt, the first four years of the Australian Government's Environmental Research Program' will be held at Old Parliament House from the 24-26 of May 2010. The conference will feature presentations from Australia's leading environmental researchers as well as up and coming research stars.
For further information about the conference please contact Adam Cowell.
About the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities
The environmental challenges facing Australia are as unique and varied as our natural environment. To make sure these challenges are addressed in a sustainable and innovative way, the Australian Government is investing $100 million into the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) program.
Funding is directed to research with a strong ‘public good’ focus and outcomes. CERF research engages with end-users, promotes collaboration between researchers and will provide results accessible to government, industry and the community. It promotes research in areas of special strength or need as identified in priority research areas. Priority research areas for the 2007 CERF Fellowships and Significant Project grants were:
- the condition of the nation's environmental assets;
- the threats and risks to our environment;
- the pressures on our coastal environment; and
- the social and economic aspects of our environment.
This work also contributes to the effort behind the Australian Government's national research priorities, including “An Environmentally Sustainable Australia” that targets water, soil loss, salinity, sustainable use of biodiversity and responding to climate change.
Funding is allocated to two broad streams of research:
Background
The Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) initiative was announced in September 2004 and funded from 2005-06. CERF supports research that has a strong public good focus and that can demonstrate a strong public good outcome. It is designed to build critical mass in areas of Australias research strengths.
Contacts
Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6274 1111
Email: Contact us
