Julia Cooper Memorial Wildlife Research Bursary

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

• I am an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent visa holder;
• I am or will be enrolled in an Honours or Masters course studying marine or terrestrial ecology; and
• I am or will be undertaking fieldwork in North Queensland, or that has a clear relevance to North Queensland.

If you are a successful applicant of this scholarship you will receive $1,000.

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 their academic record from any other academic institution;
• their curriculum vitae;
• a written statement of not more than 2 pages;
  • The statement will outline the research proposed and demonstrating how it will contribute to wildlife conservation and/or a better understanding of a particular species or ecology in North Queensland. It must include a total budget for the whole research project, and show what the bursary will be specifically used for.
• a short statement from the applicant’s research supervisor about the applicant’s ability to complete the research;
• a statement acknowledging that a bursary recipient will be required to submit a short summary of research outcomes which will be posted on the www.wildtropics.com.au and www.wildaboutaustralia.com.au websites and that any outcomes presentations will contain an acknowledgement of this bursary; 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 Bursary was established in 2012 by Dr Martin Cohen and Tim Parker, remaining directors of Wild About the Tropics, in memory of their third director, Julia Cooper who passed away in 2011 aged 33. Julia worked as a passionate advocate of wildlife education in both the UK and North Queensland having worked for the BBC Natural History Unit, the Wet Tropics Management Authority and in wildlife education and research businesses with her partner Dr Martin Cohen. Julia also co-authored several books about the plants and animals in the Wet Tropics.

As Julia was passionate about gathering and interpreting new information about wildlife of North Queensland this Bursary has been offered to assist honours or master students in the fields of terrestrial or marine ecology with support associated with their research. This bursary is for research fieldwork costs such as travel, accommodation or equipment or similar, but not for conferences.  The fieldwork must either be conducted in or demonstrate a clear relevance to North Queensland.
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 $1,000 paid in one instalment. One new bursary will be awarded each year until the fund is exhausted.

Eligibility Criteria

The Julie Cooper Memorial Wildlife Research Bursary shall be open to competition among candidates who:

• are domestic students, i.e. Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa; and
• are enrolled in a JCU honours or masters course in marine or terrestrial ecology.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• academic merit;
• how the research will contribute to wildlife conservation and/or a better understanding of particular species or ecology in North Queensland; and
• the applicant’s abilities to complete the research.

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;
• their curriculum vitae;
• a written statement:  Not more than 2 pages outlining the research proposed and demonstrating how it will contribute to wildlife conservation and/or a better understanding of a particular species or ecology in North Queensland. The statement must include a total budget for the whole research project for which you are applying for support, and show what the bursary will be specifically used for;
• a short statement submitted from the applicant’s research supervisor about the applicant’s ability to complete the research;
• a statement acknowledging that bursary recipients will be required to submit a short summary of research outcomes which will be posted on the www.wildtropics.com.au and www.wildaboutaustralia.com.au websites, and that any outcomes presentations will contain an acknowledgement of this bursary; 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 verify any information provided by the applicant.

Selection Process

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

• Dean, College of Science and Engineering (Chair), or nominee
• Director of Wild About the Tropics, or nominee
• Director of the Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change, or nominee

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 candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the Scholarship.

Payment

Moneys payable to the recipient of an award shall be paid at in 1 instalment after the census dates of the first Study Period in the year of the award.

Ongoing Eligibility

If the recipient suspends or defers their study for more than six months, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award.

Conditions of the Bursary

In the event the Chair, Selection Committee terminates or suspends the student’s bursary, a student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

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

Administration of the Bursary

The Bursary shall be administered by the JCU School of Marine and Tropical Biology, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the Bursary 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 Bursary.

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