Welcome to our December newsletter 

Welcome to the December edition of the AFWI newsletter—the final issue for 2024!

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re thrilled to announce that the second round of our National Open Call will open in February. You can find more details below.

2024 has been an extraordinary year for AFWI. From our official launch in March to announcing the locations of our Research Centres and funding the first eight projects through our National Open Call, we’ve achieved significant milestones.

Building a world-class research institute has been both challenging and rewarding.

It’s been a steep learning curve, but we’ve been fortunate to have the steadfast support of our Board, Research Advisory Committee and the incredible forestry and forest products industry.

Your guidance has been invaluable in shaping our strategy, driving impactful research, and fostering collaboration.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The AFWI HQ team. 🎄

Ready, Set, Research: AFWI’s National Open Call Returns in 2025!

Mark your calendars and start connecting with industry and research partners!

Applications for Round Two of AFWI’s National Open Call open on Friday, 21 February 2025, and close on Friday, 2 May 2025.

AFWI invites Australian-based researchers to deliver transformative, collaborative, and end-user-focused research that supports Australia’s forestry and forest products industries.

Find out more about AFWI's National Open Call for Research via the link below, and explore the projects funded through the first round here. 

Have a question? Get in touch with the team: Grants.AFWI@utas.edu.au.

New Australasian Forest Health Working Group

A new trans-Tasman working group has been established for Australian and New Zealand researchers interested in forest health and biosecurity.

The aim is to foster:

• collaboration and cooperation
• share expertise, knowledge, and ideas
• accelerate learning (especially of early-career scientists), and
• ensure we have a broad suite of expertise to deal with new and emerging forest health and biosecurity challenges in our region

The Working Group is open to scientists and practitioners from government agencies, universities, forestry companies, and consultants. It includes those working directly in forest health and biosecurity but also across other disciplines such as social science, Indigenous peoples, government administrators, and laypeople.

The group aims to have quarterly online meetings, regular 5–10-minute speed talks, and opportunities for visiting members to meet up at conferences. The Working Group is voluntary and not funded.

If you are interested in joining, email angus.carnegie@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Christmas office hours

The AFWI office at the University of Tasmania's Newnham Campus in Launceston will be closed from Friday, December 20, until Monday, January 6, 2025. 

Please note that while our office may be closed, some staff will continue to work during the festive period. 

If you need anything during this time, please email Info.AFWI@utas.edu.au.