Annual Grants

2026 Round

Photo Eric J Woehler

Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation Grants

The Macquarie Island Conservation Foundation (MICF) funds and facilitates science and research programs, as well as provides supplementary support to management initiatives, student research and outreach activities which benefit the conservation of Macquarie Island.

MICF Grants are available to support researchers, students, members of the community and other groups to deliver projects targeted at the conservation of Macquarie Island.

Applications for the 2026 round are now open and will close November 15 2025

Objectives

MICF’s vision for Macquarie Island is that the natural and heritage values remain protected from threats and conserved for current and future generations. Despite its remoteness, the sub-Antarctic is not immune from environmental change and the backdrop of reduced funding. MICF aims to deliver a sustainable funding stream to facilitate conservation, research and engagement initiatives that benefit Macquarie Island.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a grant you must be affiliated with either:

A research institution (University, Government or Private).
A relevant local, state, or federal government organisation.
A community group, association, or organisation.
Another relevant conservation or research organisation.

Supported projects and activities must demonstrate alignment with one of MICF’s current funding priorities:
1. Conservation priorities
  a) Understanding the impact of climate change on Macquarie Island.
  b) Ecosystem recovery following the pest eradication.
2. Engagement and Outreach
More details about these priorities can be found on the MICF website - macquarieisland.org/current-funding-priorities
Grants are available up to AU$7500
All project and activity costs are considered eligible unless outlined as ineligible below.
Ineligible costs include:
- Staff costs for administering the grant, including grant writing and reporting.
- Costs incurred outside of the grant period specified below.
- Institutional overheads
- Grant funds must be spent, and activities undertaken, in alignment with the MICF Principles - macquarieisland.org/our-principles
- Grant funds must be fully expended in the grant period, which commences upon return of the signed grant agreement and concludes 12 months hence.
- Grant applicants must provide a valid tax invoice to receive funds.
- Recipients must return the signed grant agreement and issue an invoice to MICF within 3 months of receiving the grant agreement. To facilitate this process, we ask that you seek all relevant internal approvals prior to submitting your application.
- For projects at Macquarie Island, the disbursement of funds will be contingent upon the project gaining applicable permits, approvals, and logistic support from the relevant agencies.
- Grant recipients will acknowledge support of the MICF in all publications, presentations and outputs resulting from this grant including, where appropriate, use of the MICF logo.
- Grant recipients agree to provide content such as images, video, text to be used by MICF to promote funded projects on our website, social media and directly to supporters and funders.
- Grant recipients are required to deliver a talk/presentation on the outcomes of their project/activity at the request of MICF.
- A brief evaluation report will be required to be submitted to the MICF within 8 weeks of completion of the grant period. The report will include details of the project/activity, expenditure of funds, outcomes and impacts.
- Satisfaction of eligibility requirements.
- Demonstrated alignment with one of MICF’s current funding priorities.
- Project benefit to the conservation of Macquarie Island.
- Includes consideration of problem being addressed and resulting outcomes.
- Project capability to deliver.
- Includes consideration of the objectives proposed to deliver the outcomes and the ability to deliver them (i.e. methods/approach, project team skills and submitted budget).
The 2026 MICF Grant application round will close Midnight (AEDT) 15 November 2025. Applications received after this date will not be considered unless written approval is given by MICF.
Applications will be assessed by the MICF Grant sub-committee. The Grant sub-committee will assess and score the applications against the selection criteria and rank proposals accordingly. Based on this ranking, the Grant sub-committee will make recommendation to the MICF Management Committee on which projects should receive partial or full funding.
Applications will be assessed based on the written information provided by the applicant. The sub-committee may request further information to assist its assessment.
Before submitting a proposal with an on-island component, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service to check if their proposed activity is likely to be supportable or not (enquire via Macquarie.Island@parks.tas.gov.au)