Scholarships, Grants and Prizes

Graeme G. Kelleher Student prize

The prize was established in 2003 to acknowledge the contribution of Graeme G. Kelleher to the wise use of the Great Barrier Reef. The prize is awarded in recognition of an outstanding PhD thesis on a topic relevant to the ecologically sustainable development of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The prize is maintained by an annual donation of $2,000 from the Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd). We invite applications from students of Australian Universities who

• have been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy at an Australian University.

• have completed a thesis that focuses on issues associated with the ecologically sustainable development of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The next round of applications will be in May 2005.

Scholarships

Currently 24 PhD and one MSc scholarships are supported by CRC Reef (current CRC Reef scholarship students). These scholarships are linked with specific tasks within CRC Reef research programs. An additional 52 student associates (PhD, MSc and Honours) are currently supported with research funding and supervision.

Scholarship candidates are selected on the basis of their academic merit, quality of research proposal, and capacity to carry out the project. Preference is given to applicants who hold Australian Citizenship or are permanent residents of Australia.

Please note that CRC Reef is not offering any scholarships at present. However, this situation is regularly reviewed and further scholarships may be awarded in the future. If further scholarships are offered they will be advertised on the website and/or in local and national newspapers.

Research funding

CRC Reef provides opportunities for procuring research funding at all levels of postgraduate training. CRC Reef offers research support of up to $10,000 for all students holding CRC Reef Scholarships. Research funding may also be offered to Research Masters and Doctoral Student Associates whose studies are relevant to the objectives of the Centre.

The CRC Reef has a formal process for applying for research support funds. This process allows CRC Reef to track expenditure for reporting purposes to the Commonwealth Government, and keeps the Centre up-to-date with student research activities. All Scholarship Holders are required to submit an Abbreviated Task Proposal (ATP) for research funds at the beginning of their degree. This proposal must include a detailed budget outlining the expenditure of their research funds over the course of their studies. These research proposals are reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Committee and submitted to the board for approval. Application forms for funding

The process for obtaining research funding or logistical support for Research Student Associates is through negotiations with the Project leader to which their particular Task is affiliated. Assessment of Research Student Associate funding proposals follows the same formal procedures as outlined above.

CRC Reef Augmentative Grants

Competitive Augmentative Research Grants are available to assist with funding of student projects that contribute to the research priorities of CRC Reef. These grants are normally up to $800 for Honours students and $1,500 for Masters and PhD students. Only students enrolled at James Cook University are eligible. The grants are advertised on the website and within James Cook University in February of each year. Current augmentative grant recipients

Please note that there will be no Augmentative Grants awarded in the 2005 Academic Year.

Travel awards

CRC Reef offers financial assistance for CRC Reef postgraduate students to attend conferences relevant to their research and professional development. All MSc and PhD students in the CRC Reef system are eligible to compete for conference travel assistance by way of CRC Reef Travel Awards that are advertised twice a year.

Click here for information on travel award winners.

CRC Reef Marine Science Journalism Prize

The CRC Reef Marine Science Journalism Prize was awarded from 1993-2003 for the best factual feature story about marine science in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Click here for information about the 2003 prize-winning stories.

Induction of new students

There are many aspects of the culture of Cooperative Research Centres that differ from the traditional academic environment. For example, CRCs place more emphasis on collaborative research with industry partners, the dissemination of research outcomes to end users, and the provision of effective training programs that facilitate this two processes. The participation of new students in the Induction run by the CRC Reef Education Program provides an opportunity for new students to be introduced to these more unfamiliar aspects of working within a CRC.

The main objectives of the induction of new students into CRC Reef are to:

• familiarise new students with the facilities and opportunities available at CRC Reef
• introduce new students to staff members and their functions in CRC Reef
• provide a venue for students to meet one another and exchange ideas
• create a better awareness of the roles and responsibilities of being a CRC Reef postgraduate

The induction afternoon is informal. It is expected that all new students attend this event.