Next Generation Soil Carbon Systems

The Australia-China Science and Research Fund-Joint Research Centres (ACSRF-JRCs) grant program supports the collaboration between Australian and Chinese research groups. Both countries contribute to financing these JRCs with the aim of achieving positive economic, environmental and social outcomes for Australia and China.

The Soil and Landscape Science Group (Curtin University) and Zhejiang University were one of two grant winners in 2021.

The Australian government is funding the next-gen multi-scale technologies for soil carbon sequestration.


Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a pivotal role in ecosystem functions and is central to achieving several UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, the dynamics of organic carbon in Australian soils remain largely unexplored. This Joint Research Centre initiative addresses this gap by focusing on Australia’s terrestrial and coastal marine soils.

This research will deliver substantial environmental and socio-economic benefits to Australia by harnessing advanced measurement and modelling technologies. It will affirm the central role of soils in global food security, environmental sustainability, and climate action while enhancing ecosystem resilience, enriching soil health and fertility, enhancing water retention, and elevating agricultural productivity.