Future Earth Australia has been announced as Australia’s new representative on the Belmont Forum, an international body dedicated to funding environmental and sustainability collaborations.
Future Earth Australia co-chair Dr Jemma Purandare said the group’s membership of the Belmont Forum is a long-awaited strategic partnership that will see both organisations work collaboratively to drive progress in sustainability.
“This is an exciting new chapter for Future Earth Australia, and we are excited to be able to bring our members and partners along with us,” Dr Purandare said.
“It also opens the door to new funding opportunities for Australian researchers.”
As a member of the Belmont Forum, Australian researchers gain access to a dynamic international network, fostering transdisciplinary partnerships and amplifying the impact of their work.
The Belmont Forum was established in 2009 as a partnership of funding organisations, international science councils and regional consortia.
The Forum uses its global networks to mobilise the funding of transdisciplinary research and accelerate its delivery to remove critical barriers to sustainability.
It has supported the commitment of A$382 million across 177 projects, averaging $13 million per collaborative research action call and $1.26 million per funded project.
Dr Nicole Arbour, the Executive Director of the Belmont Forum, welcomed Future Earth Australia’s membership of the Forum.
“Future Earth Australia will be taking on the responsibility from CSIRO, which has represented the invaluable perspectives and expertise of Australian researchers since the forum’s inception,” Dr Arbour said.
“This relationship transition will enrich our joint efforts towards addressing global environmental challenges.
“We are pleased to be working with Future Earth Australia and the Australian Academy of Science towards the delivery of the Belmont Forum Challenge, so that we can safeguard our planet for generations to come.”
The Belmont Challenge is a funders’ vision for the guiding mission of the Belmont Forum—focused on international transdisciplinary research that provides knowledge for understanding, mitigating and adapting to global environmental change.
Future Earth Australia is a national platform that connects researchers, governments, industry and society to support sustainability transitions, hosted by the Australian Academy of Science.
Future Earth Australia is currently accepting new members.
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
