The Future Drought Fund has partnered with Nuffield Australia to help farmers build their knowledge and skills in drought and climate resilience. Through this program, scholars travel across Australia and overseas to learn practical ways to adapt to a changing climate. Scholars share what they learn with farmers, industry and communities to strengthen Australian agriculture.
The first stage of the program invested $1.6 million to fund 10 drought resilience scholarships in 2024 and 2025. It also supported all Nuffield scholars to take part in drought-related activities.
In 2024, the Australian Government invested a further $3.2 million to continue for four more years. Between 2026 to 2029, up to 20 drought resilience scholarships will be awarded, and all Nuffield scholars will take part in in drought and climate resilience activities.
Learn more about Nuffield Australia and its scholars.
2027 Nuffield Australia Drought Resilience Scholars
- Angus Smith (SA) – investigating how successful livestock businesses recover and strengthen resilience after drought.
- Ellenor Nixon (NSW) – examining international approaches that balance agricultural production with conservation outcomes.
- Kristen Clark (NSW) – exploring the potential for AI to strengthen drought resilience in dairy businesses.
- Lucy Etheridge (VIC) – researching how farmers can benefit from natural capital assets in tough times.
- Ivan Blacket (VIC) – investigating agroforestry practices to increase sustainability, biodiversity and community resilience.
2026 Nuffield Australia Drought Resilience Scholars
- Jessica Bidgood (QLD) – studying how grazing practices can improve soil, save water and help nature thrive.
- Blythe Calnan (WA) – exploring the relationship between livestock handling and resilience to drought.
- Isobel Heffernan (NT) – studying community-led climate resilience.
- Kristen Hegarty (NSW) – looking at improving drought and climate resilience through business diversification.
- Kate Watts (QLD) – investigating livestock traceability tools to improve drought decision-making.
2025 Nuffield Australia Drought Resilience Scholars
- Jock Barnett (NSW) – studying how growing and diversifying farm businesses affects drought resilience.
- Tyson Cattle (WA) – looking at global agriculture organisations and industries, and how they inform drought preparedness.
- Lucy Dodd (SA) – exploring ways small poultry farms can adapt and improve their resilience to drought.
- Kari Moffat (QLD) – investigating how commitments to sustainability affect decision-making and influence drought resilience.
- Hamish Robertson (VIC) – researching financial resilience through drought and hard economic times.
2024 Nuffield Australia Drought Resilience Scholars
- Caitlin Herbert (NSW) – explored cattle feedlots role in ‘drought-proofing’ Australia’s livestock production.
- Michael Taylor (NSW) – developing the culture and skills for agroforestry in grazing and cropping regions.
- Claudia Benn (QLD) – researched strengthening resilience through ecological literacy, connection and community.
- Ben Poschelk (QLD) – looking at building farmer drought resilience in the face of a changing climate.
- Natalie Schlitz (VIC) – investigating the viability of the Australian fodder export sector in a water-limited future.
The 2024 Nuffield drought resilience scholar cohort presented their research at Nuffield Australia’s national conference in September 2025. Their reports will be published in 2026.
Read the published Nuffield drought resilience scholars reports.
Case studies
Hear our scholars share their ideas to help farmers get ready for future droughts.
Michael Taylor and Caitlin Herbert
Feedlots and forests: The 2024 Nuffield Scholars searching for drought smart solutions
Reports
| Nuffield Australia scholar cohort | Scholar name | Final report | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Claudia Benn | Building resilience through ecological literacy, connection and community (PDF 3.6 MB) Building resilience through ecological literacy, connection and community (Word 18 MB) | July 2026 |
| 2024 | Caitlin Herbert | August 2026 |
If you have difficulty accessing any of these files, please email DRScholarships@aff.gov.au.
Funding information
Find details of the payment information for Drought Resilience Scholarship Program as required under section 27A of the Future Drought Fund Act 2019 below.
Future Drought Fund: Drought Resilience Scholarship Program: Funding information
If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
Further information
For further information on the Drought Resilience Scholarship program please contact DRScholarships@aff.gov.au