The Melanie Jane Kelly Memorial Fund was established to honour the late Mel Kelly’s 25-year contribution to conservation in Tasmania.

About Mel

Mel was a passionate, caring, positive force in conservation. She had an amazing ability to inspire others and bring them together to achieve environmental outcomes in Tasmania.

The Melanie Jane Kelly Bursary memorialises her legacy, supporting one trailblazing woman annually to progress meaningful conservation activity or research work.

This year’s bursary pays tribute to her pioneering work with detector dogs. We look forward to recognising her contribution to conservation through this year’s award.

2025 applications and finalists

There's no place like home: Connection to Species on Bruny Island

Using social and spatial methodologies, this project looks to understand the dynamics between people, species, and the places you call home.

-Edith Shum

Anonymous application

Red handfish finding via women diving! - FINALIST

Survey of potential Red handfish site,feeding into existing proposals for extending knowledge on distribution of this critically endangered species.

-Annabelle Erskine

Spotted handfish heatmap

A unique opportunity to support meaningful conservation of the spotted handfish by consolidating extensive spatial data collected over years +ongoing.

-Kirsten MacAdie

Giant kelp aerial survey - FINALIST

Once off aerial survey for Giant kelp, contributing to a longitudinal dataset. This project would produce a publicly available layer on LISTmap.

-Isobel Thomas

Skinks on the Brink: Climate change impacts on Tasmania's alpine snow skinks

Research project on understanding impact of climate change on and improving conservation of Tasmania’s Threatened alpine snow skinks.

-Georgina Anderson

Peat, Plants and Drainage Lines: Functional Redundancy in the Central Plateau

Understanding the impact of drainage channels on functional redundancy patterns in the sub-alpine grasslands of the central plateau.

-Bethany Yates

How do we best detect the Blue-winged Parrot? - FINALIST

Filling research gap about detection methods for the threatened species. I will compare two survey methods to compare detectability.

-Jessica Willemse

Marine predators using sub-Antarctic Marine Protected Areas

-Jaslyn Allnut

Who is eligible?

THE 2025 MEL KELLY BURSARY HAS CLOSED FOR 2025. Further rounds will be advised in the future.

The annual bursary will support one lucky female recipient up to $5000 funding to enable or progress activity or research linked to meaningful conservation outcomes. You must be:

  • Female

  • Based in Tasmania with a relevant project or idea focused on conservation

  • Able to demonstrate valuable conservation outcomes through your work or research.

Applications will be considered from all women working, or studying, in this field.

Key dates

  • Applications open: Friday 10 January 2025

  • Applications close: Friday 21 February 2025 at 11.45pm

  • The Melanie Jane Kelly Bursary for 2025 will be awarded to the successful recipient at an event in early March 2025.

  • Shortlisted applicants will be advised at the end of February 2025

  • A report on your project (which can also be a video presentation) is required 12 months after receiving the funding. Noting: this report date can be discussed if the project will run longer than 12 months.

How to apply?

THE 2025 ROUND IS NOW CLOSED.

To apply, please submit a short (up to 3 minutes) video showing your idea or project.

This can be as simple as speaking to your mobile phone and then uploading this video to either YouTube, Google Drive or similar, and sending us the link.

There are three steps to complete your application

  1. First check your eligibility and get your project idea nailed.

  2. Record your short video and upload the video to YouTube, Google Drive, DropBox or vimeo (the important thing is you set it to ‘Anyone can view’). Then copy the link to the video. Some information here on how to do this.

  3. Complete the online application form by the due date. Paste your link into the form. When you submit the form it will automatically tell us you have submitted.

Most importantly be brave and have fun with your application. We’re interested in your ideas and how you will use the funds to progress conservation outcomes. This and alignment with criteria is what we’ll be assessing the application on.

What themes or activities will be considered?

What themes will be considered?

Favour will be given to projects by trailblazing women that relate to the following themes:

  • Focus on improving conservation outcomes through scent detection dogs

  • Projects that support threatened species

  • Practical ideas that support conservation action in natural resource management

  • Other projects, products or activities that supports conservation outcomes.

What sort of activity can I use the funding for?

We recognise that good work often needs support to get going or to progress. As such the following activities will be considered:

  • New projects or products that improve conservation outcomes, support threatened species or support NRM action

  • Existing conservation projects or products that have commenced and need funding to keep rolling

  • Conservation activities that need funding to support travel or to learn more from international colleagues (e.g. Conferences or knowledge exchange)

  • Activities that help deliver on-ground outcomes, or research that fills a gap.

Other questions and FAQ

Can I apply if I already have other funding?

Yes, absolutely. We recognise that collaboration and shared investment is a great way to empower conservation outcomes. Just let us know when you submit what the other funding includes.

Can I submit more than one submission?

Yes you can. But each submission will need to be submitted on a different form, and a video done for each individual submission.

Can I submit a project I am working on with someone else?

Yes this is OK. However, you will fill out the application under your name and if you wish, you can make a reference to your partner/collaborator in your video or form.

Do I have to do a report on what I used the funding for?

Yes, a report on how the funding was used is expected 12 months (Or negotiated timeframe) from receiving the funding. This can take the form of a video or other short form report.

It is expected that this report or any media about the work funded also recognise the Landscape Recovery Foundation and the Mel Kelly Bursary.

Media and promotion of the winner

The successful recipient of the Melanie Jane Kelly Bursary will be announced at an event in early March 2025. Shortlisted applicants and the winner will be featured in media activity related to the event and your video may b shared as part of this promotion. Having your photo, project idea and overviewed shared in recognition is part of the application.

Ready to apply?

Great! If you meet all the eligibility criteria, we’d love to receive your application. Head over to our Apply page (Microsoft forms) to get started.

Need more help?

If you’re still not sure if you’re eligible, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us on (03) 6295 3262. We’re here to help!