ER Walker Bequest Bursary

If all the below statements describe you and your current situation, you can apply for this scholarship.

• I am admitted to an honours or postgraduate degree
• I am undertaking research on stinging jellyfishes (Class Cubozoa)

If you are a successful applicant of this scholarship you will receive $2,500. Please allow 6 weeks after acceptance of your offer for payment.

Prior to completing an application, you should carefully read the Scholarship Rules below.
Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must attach the following documents:

• A certified copy of your academic record from any other academic institution; and
• a curriculum vitae; and
• your research proposal; and
• A summary of expenses for which you are seeking Scholarship funding; and
• Any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application.

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you answer all the questions and include all relevant documents.  Your application and relevant documents must be submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation 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.

Introduction

The ER Walker Bequest Bursary was established in 2014 to support early career researchers undertaking research on stinging jellyfishes (Class Cubozoa) as part of a degree at James Cook University. The research may be on any aspect of Cubozoan biology, ecology or risk management, as well as the study of venoms, development of anti-venoms or patient care. Applications are sought from early career researchers (i.e. Honours students, Master or PhD candidates) for the purposes of funding;

• Attendance at a relevant conference;
• Fieldwork and directly associated costs, including but not limited to travel, accommodation, specialised equipment purchase or hire;
• Costs associated with a research assistant on a specific trip or part of a project.

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

Nature of the Scholarship

The value of the scholarship shall be $2,500, paid in a single instalment.  Please allow 6 weeks after acceptance of your offer for payment.

Two new bursaries shall be offered each year.
Recipients of the ER Walker Bequest Scholarship may re-apply in future rounds.

Eligibility Criteria

The ER Walker Bequest Scholarship shall be open to competition among applicants who:

• are admitted to an honours or postgraduate degree at James Cook University; and
• are undertaking research on stinging jellyfishes (Class Cubozoa)

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• academic merit or potential; and
• alignment of research proposal to Cubozoan biology, ecology or risk management; and
• any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate.

Preference will be given to research on species that are a great risk to humans.

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made.

Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A certified copy of their academic record from any other academic institution; and
• their curriculum vitae; and
• their research proposal; and
• a summary of expenses for which they are seeking Scholarship funding; and
• any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application.

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 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 scholarship shall be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Head, Marine Biology and Aquaculture (CHAIR), or nominee
• Director of AITHM, or nominee,
• Dean, Graduate Research School, or nominee.
• **OR a pool of appropriate JCU representatives

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

• Not to award a Scholarship in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no applicant of sufficient merit to warrant an award;
• To extend a Scholarship for an existing recipient.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection process.

Conditions of the Scholarship

A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

The requirements of the Scholarship shall not make the awarding of the Scholarship conditional upon the recipient providing unremunerated services or products to the donor.

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be administered by the School of Marine and Tropical Biology, 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 officer of the University charged with administering the scholarship.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation.

Please refer to Glossary of Terms