Fisheries: Improving fishers' livelihoods from productive aquatic farming systems and sustainable fisheries Grant

About this grant

The ACIAR Fisheries Program brokers research partnerships to improve food security and fishers' livelihoods through productive aquatic farming systems and sustainable wild-catch fisheries. It aims to improve human health and wellbeing by making food systems and policies more nutrition-sensitive. The program focuses on small-scale artisanal fisheries and low-technology aquaculture, including research on post-harvest processing and trade along the supply chain. It also invests in research initiatives to tackle 'big challenges' and emerging needs in partner countries. The program aims to improve the sustainability of fish resources, providing economic and social benefits, by helping researchers develop new technologies and policy recommendations that support artisanal fishery communities and national fisheries sectors. A further objective is to improve gender equality, empowerment and household income for women through research on small businesses and collective enterprises. It also works to strengthen the capacity of fisheries researchers and managers through practice-based education and training. For FY 2025-26 the program has an investment of AUD 8.1 million supporting 24 projects across South Asia, the Pacific, East and Southeast Asia, and Africa. Active projects cover topics such as fish-friendly river infrastructure in the Mekong, climate-smart aquaculture, coral restoration, pearl and grouper aquaculture, tuna harvest strategy, and community-based fisheries management. Projects are commissioned with Australian research organisations such as CSIRO, James Cook University, and University of the Sunshine Coast, and with WorldFish.

Eligibility

The page describes commissioned research partnerships with Australian research organisations (including Charles Sturt University, CSIRO, James Cook University, Southern Cross University, UNSW, University of the Sunshine Coast, UTS, University of Wollongong) and WorldFish. It does not describe open applicant eligibility rules, open calls, or prior-recipient criteria on this page.

Key requirements

• ✓Focus on improving fisher livelihoods through sustainable aquaculture and fisheries systems
• ✓Research and development orientation with practical application to partner countries
• ✓Alignment with ACIAR's agricultural research mandate and development outcomes
• ✓Likely requires institutional or consortium partnership with research capacity

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• Charles Sturt University
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
• James Cook University
• Southern Cross University
• University of New South Wales
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• University of Technology Sydney
• University of Wollongong

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) offer?

Fisheries: Improving fishers' livelihoods from productive aquatic farming systems and sustainable fisheries offers $6.5M.

Who can apply for Fisheries: Improving fishers' livelihoods from productive aquatic farming systems and sustainable fisheries?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL-SOUTH, ASIA, SE-ASIA, OCEANIA; research-institution, nonprofit, university, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Food systems funding covers sustainable production, supply-chain resilience, food loss, nutrition and smallholder livelihoods. It is offered by agriculture and development agencies, multilateral programmes and foundations, often with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Applicants are generally asked to show local partnerships and how benefits reach farmers or consumers.