Awarded: PhD Top-Up Grants to Advance Low-Emission Innovation

Following strong interest from across the state’s research sector, the 2026 successful applicants of the PhD Top-Up Grant spanning green ammonia and hydrogen production, sustainable agriculture, circular economy innovations, renewable energy systems, climate resilience, smart farming, low-emission infrastructure and carbon sequestration have been announced.

In total 21 top-ups were awarded totalling $210,000. 

Led by the NSW Decarbonisation Hub’s Land and Primary Industries Network, the grant supported PhD candidates undertaking world-class research aligned with the Hub’s mission to reduce emissions across land and primary industries. PhDs could use the grant to complete additional research and/or an extension capacity building activity to strengthen end-user collaboration.  

Applicants working across a broad range of topics including technology, innovation, policy and social licence were able to apply provided their work related to the decarbonisation of the land and primary industries sectors. A strong industry link and clear translational impact pathway were prioritised in the grant judging.  

“The response to this year’s PhD Top-Up Grants highlights the extraordinary depth of talent and innovation emerging across New South Wales universities in land and primary industries decarbonisation research.” Land and Primary Industries Network Lead Uffe Nielsen said.  

“Receiving more than 90 applications from nine institutions made the selection process highly competitive, but it was incredibly encouraging to see so many researchers already focused on translating their work into practical outcomes that can support industry, communities and the transition to net zero,”  

“These researchers represent the next generation of leaders who will shape how New South Wales responds to climate and sustainability challenges. Supporting them early in their careers helps strengthen the pathways between research, industry adoption and real-world impact across the state.” 

The successful projects reflect the critical role research, and innovation will play in helping New South Wales reach net zero while supporting regional industries, communities and economic growth. 

2026 PhD Top-Up Grant Recipients 

Jingyi Luo – The University of Sydney
Decentralised plasma-enabled nitrogen fixation for sustainable fertiliser production
Developing renewable-powered plasma technologies that enable on-farm fertiliser production under ambient conditions. The research aims to reduce emissions associated with conventional fertiliser manufacturing, electricity transmission and long-distance transport while supporting low-emission agriculture.

Abhishek Vijayan Kunnathparambilkizhakkethil – Macquarie University
Stand-alone zero-gap photoelectrochemical electrolyzer for ammonia synthesis
Investigating solar-assisted electrochemical systems to produce green ammonia from nitrate reduction. The project supports cleaner fertiliser production while simultaneously enabling wastewater treatment and circular nutrient recovery.

Xuanqi Li – The University of Sydney
From policy to delivery: bridging policy–project gaps in Australia’s energy transition
Examining how policy and project delivery align in renewable energy development across NSW. The research focuses on improving implementation capacity, stakeholder coordination and policy effectiveness to accelerate decarbonisation outcomes.

Shihao Zhang – The University of Sydney
Plasma-assisted nitrogen fixation for sustainable ammonia synthesis
Advancing renewable electricity-driven ammonia synthesis technologies to support decentralised, low-carbon fertiliser production. The project aims to reduce emissions from agriculture while improving accessibility for regional communities.

Javad Jafaryahya – University of Technology Sydney
Designing a novel solution for IoT-enabled smart farming by ultra-low power sensor networks
Developing ultra-low power sensing systems for soil monitoring and smart agriculture applications. The research supports precision farming, soil carbon estimation and improved environmental monitoring through advanced IoT technologies.

Baber Ali – Western Sydney University
Sustainable approaches to improve nitrogen uptake and utilisation to enhance crop productivity
Investigating nitrogen-responsive genes in wheat to improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers. The project supports low-emission agriculture and more resilient cropping systems.

Qingyi Liu – UNSW Sydney
Chemical engineering
Developing electrochemical systems for on-site hydrogen peroxide production using renewable electricity, water and air. The research aims to strengthen supply chain resilience and support lower-emission agricultural production systems.

Yifan Yuan – The University of Sydney
CO² conversion and materials for a lower-carbon future
Exploring plasma-driven pathways to convert industrial emissions into value-added products including urea. The project supports waste-to-value manufacturing and low-carbon fertiliser production.

Dan Villamanca – The University of Sydney
Green ammonia synthesis from nitrogen and water using plasma-coupled electrocatalysis
Developing renewable-powered ammonia production technologies with strong commercialisation potential. The project supports emissions reduction in fertiliser manufacturing and clean energy storage.

Renata Boero Daudt – University of Technology Sydney
Evaluating circularity of emerging bio-based materials as alternatives to plastic packaging in Australia
Assessing algae-based packaging materials as lower-emission alternatives to fossil-based plastics. The research examines lifecycle emissions, circularity and opportunities for regional manufacturing.

Bhavesh Malik – Western Sydney University
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Australia: diversity, community assembly and agriculture
Investigating the role of soil fungi in improving nutrient uptake, soil carbon retention and agricultural resilience. The project supports low-emission and climate-resilient farming systems.

Allan Kimtai Ruto – University of New England
Rural biomass to biofuel with co-benefits: regulatory and institutional dimensions
Exploring the use of woody weed biomass for biofuel production and land management outcomes. The research examines regulatory pathways to support circular economy and decarbonisation opportunities.

Muhammad Syahman Samhan – UNSW Sydney
Optimisation of net load forecasting using machine learning models for network operations and planning
Developing advanced forecasting tools to support renewable energy integration and electricity network planning. The research aims to improve grid reliability while reducing unnecessary infrastructure investment.

Stephen Nugent – University of Wollongong
Enabling community-led demand flexibility in regional Australia
Investigating social and behavioural factors influencing participation in renewable energy demand flexibility programs. The research supports user-centred energy transition strategies for regional communities.

Qian Zhang – The University of Sydney
Hydrogen production via alkaline water electrolysis
Developing lower-cost and higher-efficiency electrolyser technologies to support scalable green hydrogen production. The project contributes to industrial decarbonisation and clean energy deployment.

Omar Ababneh – The University of Sydney
Development of a high-efficiency modular and low-cost hydrogen liquefaction and storage system
Developing Australia’s first modular hydrogen liquefaction prototype to support clean energy exports and decarbonisation of heavy industry, transport and aviation.

Amirhossein Shafaghat – University of Technology Sydney
Nutrient recovery from human-waste sources using hybrid membrane systems for low-emission fertiliser production and agricultural reuse
Investigating membrane-based nutrient recovery systems that connect wastewater treatment with sustainable agriculture and circular nutrient management.

Tingting Wang – University of Technology Sydney
Compound impacts of extreme heat and drought on carbon, water and energy cycling in semi-arid ecosystems in central Australia
Examining how climate extremes affect ecosystem resilience, carbon dynamics and water systems across arid and semi-arid Australia to inform emissions reduction and climate adaptation strategies.

Nariman Khorsandiardebili – University of Technology Sydney
Use of construction and demolition waste materials in sealed and unsealed roads
Developing recycled road construction materials that reduce landfill and lower emissions associated with quarrying and transport of virgin aggregates.

Bhagya Samarasinghe – Western Sydney University
Employing novel biostimulants to enhance nitrogen use efficiency and yield of cotton
Investigating innovative crop biostimulants and nitrogen uptake pathways to reduce fertiliser use while improving cotton productivity and sustainability.

Evanna McGuinness – Southern Cross University
Subsoil carbon and nitrogen dynamics under perennial pasture grazing in the Northern Rivers region of NSW
Exploring the role of subsoil carbon storage in grazing systems to strengthen carbon accounting, emissions reduction and climate-resilient land management practices.

The NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub congratulates all successful recipients and looks forward to supporting the next generation of researchers contributing to NSW’s transition to a low-emissions future.