One of our key tools for engagement, collaboration and network creation across ANU, CSIRO and University of Canberra are our Ignition Grant and Synthesis Group funding schemes.

Ignition Projects

Our Ignition Grant program aims to 'kick-start' novel collaborative research between researchers from at least two or more CBA partner institutions (i.e. ANU, CSIRO, UC), with the intention that the interactions and results of these pilot projects will form the basis of larger research proposals, publications, and/or collaborations in the future.

“The Ignition Grants are a very effective scheme to kick-start novel ANU-CSIRO collaborative research. The seed funding provided was crucial in developing a more substantial research proposal.” Research Scientist, CSIRO, 2016

“Overall it was a great opportunity to have this shared CBA grant together with outstanding collaborators. It was a great pleasure to work together and to build new networks. This was especially important as an EMCR. This grant really helped in establishing new directions for my new research group. In short, the impact of this small grant can hardly be overstated.” ANU Research Scientist (EMCR), 2019

"This (Ignition Grant) is the best grant scheme of its type I have come across in my life so far. Keep it up! Little chunks of money for pilot experiments is exactly what ECRs need. Expand the scheme if you can!” Postdoc, ANU, 2021

Synthesis Groups

Our Synthesis Group funding provides support for small group meetings of local, interstate and international scientists, and managers and policy makers, that aim to generate:

• High impact syntheses and reviews of existing data or concepts; and/or
• Collaborative grant proposals; and/or
• Policy and/or management outcomes via knowledge transfer amongst biodiversity scientists and policy makers and/or managers.

“Our synthesis funds were very successful in establishing a large number of collaborations and interactions with researchers outside the ANU. In addition, the synthesis funds have been instrumental in training students both in comparative and meta-analysis about each other’s fields and the challenges and approaches in each.” EMCR, ANU, 2019

“The Synthesis Group funding was an excellent way to start relationships with some CSIRO employees and to expand the potential pool for funding. It is a great scheme and it would be great if it could continue”. Assoc Prof, ANU, 2023

"Both of these grants have helped propel my career. The Ignition Grant was my first experience as project lead and its execution helped to support my advancement from Postdoc to Research Scientist and, subsequently, to an ongoing role at CSIRO. My Synthesis Grant was my first experience coordinating an international meeting and its execution was critical to me securing an ongoing role."  Research Scientist, CSIRO, 2025