Hunter Research Project Support Grant

The Hunter Research Project Support Grant will be open to competition among candidates who:

• Are enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research program at JCU (PhD, Professional Doctorate, Master by Research, Honours Year);
• Are conducting research on the Great Barrier Reef and/or the environmental impacts of climate change and anthropogenic stressors in another environment primarily in Australia;
• Have a primary or co-supervisor who is a member of the College of Science and Engineering’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Group.

Successful candidates will receive a grant to assist with their research, to the value of $8,000.  Funds may be used for, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Purchase of equipment
• Travel and associated field trip expenses (e.g. boat hire)
• Analytical services
• Library visits or visits to appropriate labs to learn new methods
• Conference attendance (if the student is presenting their research work)
  
  
  Funds will be paid in one installment and must be used within 12 months of being received.

Successful recipients will need to produce an impact report, article or video at the end of their 12 month funding period.  The impact report/article/video should document how the research transpired and what outcomes have, or will, come from the project, the communities that have benefited and any on-going research.  This report/video may be used in conjunction with the Donor’s name in University communications.

Applications must be submitted online using the application portal and received no later than the advertised close date.

Applicants will need to provide written statements outlining:

• Project Title;
• Project Overview (150 words);
• Why the proposed project is important, needed and likely to result in significant advancement in knowledge and understanding of the environment and/or practical improvements in the way environments are managed (250 words) (50% weighting);
• Amount requested, and planned use of the funds which is rigorous, achievable, innovative, and compatible with time left in candidature (250 words) (30% weighting);
• Their academic record, list of qualifications, GPAs, grants and prizes received (10% weighting);
• Research Outputs, list of any publications or other research outputs (10% weighting)

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the grant, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation that it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

This grant has been generously donated by Mrs Alison Hunter, a born and bred North Queenslander from Mackay. Alison attended JCU between 1974 and 1977 and completed her BA in Geography with Honours in 1977. She returned to JCU in 1980 as a staff member, working for 15 years in the JCU Library (now the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library) in Townsville.  Alison chose to give back to the University in a practical way that would benefit not only students but also the North Queensland environment, focusing on the Great Barrier Reef and/or anthropogenic and climate change impacts.

This grant is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and payment of the grant

The value of the scholarship is between $5,000 - $8,000 per year depending on the research proposal put forward in the application process.

Payment will be made in one installment at the time of awarding and must be used within 12 months of being received.

Funds may be used for, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Purchase of equipment
• Travel and associated field trip expenses (e.g. boat hire)
• Analytical services
• Library visits or visits to appropriate labs to learn new methods
• Conference attendance (if the student is presenting their research work)

Eligibility Criteria

The Hunter Research Project Support Grant will be open to competition among candidates who:

• Are enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research program at JCU (PhD, Professional Doctorate, Master by Research, Honours Year);
• Are conducting research on the Great Barrier Reef and/or the environmental impacts of climate change and anthropogenic stressors in another environment primarily in Australia;
• Have a primary or co-supervisor who is a member of the College of Science and Engineering’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Group.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• Why the proposed project is important, needed and likely to result in significant advancement in knowledge and understanding of the environment and/or practical improvements in the way environments are managed (250 words) (50% weighting);
• Amount requested, and planned use of the funds which is rigorous, achievable, innovative, and compatible with time left in candidature (250 words) (30% weighting);
• Academic Record: list of qualifications, GPAs, grants and prizes received (10% weighting);
• Research Outputs: list of any publications or other research outputs (10% weighting)

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted online using the application portal and received no later than the advertised close date.
Applicants will need to provide written statements outlining:

• Project Title;
• Project Overview (150 words);
• Why the proposed project is important, needed and likely to result in significant advancement in knowledge and understanding of the environment and/or practical improvements in the way environments are managed (250 words) (50% weighting);
• Amount requested, and planned use of the funds which is rigorous, achievable, innovative, and compatible with time left in candidature (250 words) (30% weighting);
• Their academic record, list of qualifications, GPAs, grants and prizes received (10% weighting);
• Research Outputs, list of any publications or other research outputs (10% weighting)

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the grant will be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Head, Earth & Environmental Sciences (EES) Group, College Science & Engineering,
• Lecturer or Academic, Earth & Environmental Sciences (EES) Group, College Science & Engineering,
• Academic or Lecturer, College Science & Engineering.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Grant awardee.

Reporting Requirements

Successful recipients will need to produce an impact report, article or video at the end of their 12 month funding period.  The impact report/article/video should document how the research transpired and what outcomes have, or will, come from the project, the communities that have benefited and any on-going research.  This report/video may be used in conjunction with the Donor’s name in University communications.

Conditions of the Grant

• If the recipient defers their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award and any unspent funds will be returned.
• If the holder of an award takes an official leave of absence, the award will be terminated and any unspent funds returned.
• Where the recipient fails to meet any conditions of the award, evidence of special circumstances can be provided to the Selection Committee for consideration of ongoing eligibility. The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the conditions of the grant.
• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Grant

This grant shall be administered by the Graduate Research School (GRS), on behalf of the Selection Committee.
The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the Graduate Research School.

Please refer to Glossary of Terms.