The Melanie Jane Kelly Memorial Fund was established to honour the late Mel Kelly’s 25-year contribution to conservation in Tasmania.
Join us to support 2026 Mel Kelly Bursary recipients
The Landscape Recovery Foundation is getting ready to support the next round of recipients through the 2026 Mel Kelly Bursary.
This work to support incredible women in conservation through the Bursary always begins the previous year. This involves both recognising the incredible projects of the recipients and encouraging the community to get behind the important work of the Foundation.
We’d love your help. Please donate to the Landscape Recovery Foundation and support our project work and the Melanie Jane Kelly Memorial Fund.
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
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There's no place like home: Connection to Species on Bruny Island -Edith Shum |
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Red handfish finding via women diving! - FINALIST -Annabelle Erskine |
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Spotted handfish heatmap -Kirsten MacAdie |
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Giant kelp aerial survey - FINALIST -Isobel Thomas |
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Skinks on the Brink: Climate change impacts on Tasmania's alpine snow skinks -Georgina Anderson |
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Peat, Plants and Drainage Lines: Functional Redundancy in the Central Plateau -Bethany Yates |
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How do we best detect the Blue-winged Parrot? - FINALIST -Jessica Willemse |
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Marine predators using sub-Antarctic Marine Protected Areas -Jaslyn Allnut
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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: early January
Applications close: Late February
The Melanie Jane Kelly Bursary is awarded to the successful recipient at an event in March
Shortlisted applicants will be advised at the end of February
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. THIS INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED FOR 2026
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
First check your eligibility and get your project idea nailed.
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’).
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?
Themes for 2026 will be updated on this site closer to the date.
What sort of activity can I use the funding for?
in 2025, the following activities were promoted.
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 entry?
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!