Fwd: Invasive Plants and Animals Initiative - Request for Partnership 2026
Tiffanie Nelson
- Offer: Genomic sequencing, data management, and high-performance computing support.
- Requirements: Partners provide project design, samples, and analysis.
- Process: Submit a proposal via the by COB, 18 September 2026.
- Note: Projects should enhance existing research rather than be the sole funding source.
REQUEST FOR PARTNERSHIP GUIDELINES
Background and Aims
Invasive species are one of the most significant and persistent threats to
Australia’s environment, economy and biodiversity. They are the leading driver
of species decline, impacting 82% of Australia’s threatened species. Despite
decades of investment across Commonwealth and state programs, the challenge
continues to intensify as accelerating climate change, increased global
connectivity, and the emergence of new invasion pathways create additional
opportunities for establishment and spread.
The Invasive Plants and Animals Initiative will accelerate the coordinated
development of reference genomes and population-scale genomic datasets for
Australia’s priority invasive plant and animal species. These data will enable
earlier detection, improved pathway tracking, and more precise, cost-effective
control strategies, while also advancing our fundamental understanding of
biological invasions. This national effort will equip researchers, biosecurity
officers and land managers with the biological data needed to reduce the impact
of invasive species on Australia’s native and productive ecosystems.
Invasive Plants and Animals Initiative definition for this Request for
Partnership includes:
a. Invasive plants and animals that are recognised national priorities for management. For e.g.
- Weeds of National Significance (WoNS)
- National Weed Biocontrol Pipeline Strategy priorities
- Key threatening processes
- National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases
- Australian Priority Marine Pest List
- State and territory pest and weed declarations
b. Exotic plants and animals introduced to Australia that pose a threat or have invasive potential
c. Australian plant and animal species that have become invasive outside their normal range
d. This initiative is prioritising invasive plants and animals only. Microbial pathogens are excluded.
We are now calling for Requests for Partnership for projects aiming to generate high-quality reference genomes and species population data that will enhance the aims and goals of the Invasive Plants and Animals Initiative.
Support provided
Bioplatforms Australia will provide the following resources:
- DNA extraction services (where required)
- Genomics data generation (whole genome sequencing) through our network of facilities (including AGRF, BRF, Ramaciotti, SAGC and Genomics WA)
- Project management and data management (raw data storage and access, with associated metadata).
- Automated reference genome assembly and data submission to the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA) through the Australian Tree of Life Genome Engine pipeline
- The Invasive Plants and Animal Initiative will provide access to the required high-performance computing (Pawsey and NCI) and analytical resources through the Australian BioCommons Leadership Share (ABLeS).
- Collaboration in a national consortium of genomics experts for invasive species.
Co-contributions
Project teams will provide co-contribution for the following:
- Project design
- Sample provision, preparation (DNA extraction etc), shipping and supply of metadata
- Bioinformatics/data analysis
- End-use application of the data
- Data publication
- Raw and analysed sequence data submission to international repositories
Data and Collaboration Policy
Data generated from the Invasive Plants and Animal Initiative will be made
accessible to project teams in the Bioplatforms Australia Data Portal as per
the Initiative’s Data and Collaboration
Policy.
Note: There is a 12-month embargo on the data to allow first access to project
teams. During this time, access will only be given to you and your project
collaborators. After the 12-month period, the data will be scheduled for public
release in the “Open-access” phase, as outlined in Invasive Plants and Animal Initiative Data and Collaboration Policy.
Genomic data generated from your project will also be assembled through the Australian Tree of Life Genome Engine, which will include submission of the data to ENA that will be held under the 12- month embargo period. This does not preclude the project team from generating and submitting an updated version of the genome, but rather aims to accelerate the team's research activity by providing the team with a high-quality genome ready for use. Genome note publication authorship remains with the project team. You can read more about this in the Data and Collaboration Policy.
Important note
Support through the Invasive Plants and Animals
Initiative is intended to be catalytic, enabling or enhancing existing research
activities rather than serving as the sole source of funding for data
acquisition within a project. The Initiative is expected to support
approximately 35–45 projects over the life of the program, with multiple
opportunities to apply for support. A second Request for Partnership is
anticipated to open in 2027.
To submit a partnership proposal:
· Submit all Request for Partnership using the online form at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbIonIDljobwEXEAxUMyNNhc7xtaqPfJ9RVtLkbPj6DVFaug/viewform?usp=dialog
· Your form is editable until the due date if you have logged in with a Google account during the submission.
· Complete and submit one form per species of interest. If you are aware of other groups working on your species of interest, we encourage you to collaborate and submit a single proposal.
· Address all criteria/questions listed in the form.
· Please provide an estimated/known genome size and ploidy (where prompted) to assist with the proposal review and cost estimate.
· NOTE: This is not a grant application. The Invasive Plants and Animals Initiative aims to support all projects that align with its objectives, within the limits of our available budget. Samples for sequencing and other omics experiments should be provided within 12 months of project acceptance.
Deadline: COB Friday, 18th September
2026
Contact information: Parties interested in participating in the Invasive Plants and Animals Initiative, including this RFP, are welcome to get in contact with us at any time.
Contact information:
Mabel Lum, Program Manager, ml...@bioplatforms.com, 0435 387 007
Kelly Scarlett, Partnerships and Engagement, ksca...@bioplatforms.com, 0435 984 739
Level 4, 4 Wally's Walk | Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
Genomics Research Community Engagement Lead
Australian BioCommons
The University of Melbourne
I work flexibly. If I am sending this message outside of normal business hours it is because it suits me. There is no expectation on my part that you will respond outside of your working hours.
My position is funded by Bioplatforms Australia and hosted by The University of Melbourne.
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which I work and pay my respects to their Elders, both past and present.
