The Field Naturalists Society of SA Lirabenda Endowment Fund
The Field Naturalists Society of South Australia Inc. established the Lirabenda Endowment Fund in 2005 with the proceeds of the sale of one of our properties, Lirabenda, near Mylor. The Lirabenda Endowment Fund was set up to fund a number of small research grants each year and in doing so promote and encourage research into the biota and natural environment of South Australia. Later funds were added to the LEF Fund through a generous bequest from Wo Fenner, a long-time FNSSA member. To honour Wo’s intention to encourage young women in science, an extra grant is awarded every few years in her name to an upcoming female researcher.
Each year Applications for research projects which meet the guidelines set out by our society are invited from students and staff of tertiary institutions, researchers at other institutions, and from individuals who are carrying out relevant research under their own volition.
Applications are accepted each year from late December to early February the following year, (deadline for the current round of grants can be found in the guidelines and application forms below). Successful applicants are notified in early March for grants of $3,000 (depending on total funds available).
To date more than $380,000 has been awarded to successful applicants, for grants that have investigated a huge range of important topics, many of whom have returned to speak on their research at General FNSSA meetings;
From, Human impacts on Oystercatcher species, to Systematics and Evolution of highly diverse Native Bees, Bibron’s toadlet in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Recruitment dynamics of the vulnerable coastal samphire species, to Dispersal and morphological variation of the Greater Stick-nest Rat, to Habitat Suitability for Pygmy Bluetongue lizards, to Malleefowl in a changing climate, to Red-tailed Phascogale reintroduction to South Australia and Prescribed Burning & Health of Herpetofauna in Stringybark Habitat
FNSSA Lirabenda Endowment Fund Research Grants 2025
The FNSSA is pleased to offer 10 Research Grants of up to $3,000 to further and promote research into the biota and natural environment of South Australia.
Applications for 2025 LEF Grants now Open!
Applications Open: Monday 9th December 2024
Close: Friday 14th February 2025
Please find below the following 2025 Research Grant files to Download
• Invitation to Apply (PDF)
• Grant Guidelines (PDF)
• Application Form (Word) or (ZIP containing Word document)
Nature Conservation Award
Awarded yearly to someone who has made a significant contribution to our knowledge of the biodiversity in South Australia. The recipient is someone deserving of recognition within the conservation movement, through volunteering, supporting and/or mentoring. They may be someone within our FNSSA membership.
The Nature Conservation Award has been awarded 26 times since 1989. On three occasions no award has been awarded. Twice it has been awarded to couples and on two occasions it has been awarded posthumously.
More information and a list of past recipients can be found here. (42kB PDF)
