The RRAP R&D Program was established in 2020 to address critical knowledge gaps and overcome the scientific, engineering and operational challenges associated with restoring and adapting coral reefs at the scale required for the Great Barrier Reef.
The multi-disciplinary R&D phase accelerated the development and implementation of a suite of innovative interventions, tackling both technological dimensions as well as governance and social license, modelling and decision support, risk and regulation, Traditional Owner and stakeholder engagement and partnerships.
The initial R&D Program was delivered by a consortium of partners each bringing unique and complementary capabilities. Partners include the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, CSIRO, James Cook University, the University of Queensland, Southern Cross University and Queensland University of Technology.
In June 2026, the initial RRAP R&D phase concluded following delivery of its planned scope. The knowledge, technologies, partnerships and capabilities developed through the Program continue to inform ongoing reef restoration and adaptation efforts, including the Pilot Deployments Program.
The Program’s R&D phase was designed to develop interventions that could be deployed at unprecendented scales and be responsive to a range of possible climate outcomes.
Research was integrated through a three-point approach:
