AUSTRALIAN BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES STUDY
honours, masters, Ph.D. scholarships and
non-salaried researcher grants 2009/2010
Guidelines and application form
The Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) National Taxonomy Research Grant
Program aims to strengthen Australia’s national taxonomic research capacity by funding early
career researchers and non-salaried senior researchers undertaking taxonomic research on
the Australian biota. This document contains the guidelines and application form for students
and non-salaried senior researchers who wish to apply for a grant under the program.
Important dates
Applications open
September 2008
Applications close
7t November 2008
Advisory Committee finalises recommendations to the Minister
December 2008
Applicants notified of results
January 2009
Grant payments commence
1 July 2009
Closing date for applications for 2009/2010 is
7 November 2008
Late applications will not be considered.
Page 1 of 18
Contents
Eligibility Criteria .................................................................................................................. 3
Email Conditions .................................................................................................................. 3
Grant types .......................................................................................................................... 4
Question 1: Type of grant requested ........................................................................................................ 5
Question 2: Applicant Details ................................................................................................................... 5
Question 3: Institution and Supervisor Details ......................................................................................... 6
Question 4: Scholarship Applicant Education .......................................................................................... 6
Question 5: Research Experience ............................................................................................................ 7
Question 6: ABRS Research Priorities ..................................................................................................... 8
Question 7: Project details ....................................................................................................................... 9
Question 8: Supervisors .........................................................................................................................11
Question 9: Academic Referees .............................................................................................................12
Important information ......................................................................................................... 13
Certification for Applicant ................................................................................................... 15
Certification for Institution .................................................................................................. 15
Checklist ............................................................................................................................ 16
Attachment A: Priority Areas for Research Grants 2009/2010 ........................................... 17
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Read this before you start your application
Eligibility criteria
1. Applicants must hold Australian citizenship, or have permanent residency status.
2. The proposed research must be undertaken at an Australian institution.
3. Ph.D. Scholarship applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student. Honours/Masters Scholarship
applicants may be enrolled part-time.
4. Applicants must not be receiving another equivalent major award, scholarship or salary to undertake
the same project.
5. Non-salaried researcher grants are available only to experienced researchers who are not employed
professionally as a taxonomist or biologist.
This application must be filled in electronically. Non-salaried researcher grant applicants may
submit via an email attachment or a mailed CD ROM. Scholarship applicants may submit by
a mailed CD ROM only.
Emailed applications that do not adhere to the following conditions will not be considered.
CD ROM applications must comply with Email Conditions 1 – 2 listed below.
Email conditions
1. Applications must be submitted as a single word document or in rich text format (.rtf).
2. All aspects of the application, including the project details and curriculum vitae, must be completed
using Arial font in 12 point.
3. The signature page (located on the second to last page of this document) must be received as a
secure PDF.
4. Receipt of the application will be acknowledged by an auto reply from ABRS. If this acknowledgment
is not received it is your responsibility to contact ABRS to ensure that your application has been
received.
5. ABRS accepts no responsibility for emailed applications that arrive with altered formatting. ABRS
staff will check the formatting of emailed applications upon receipt and may contact applicants
requesting a resubmission if there are any problems. A resubmission must be made within 48 hours
of such a request and may require a hard copy delivery or faxed submission.
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Grant types
In the 2009/2010 grants round, there are two sets of capacity-building grants available: general capacitybuilding grants and ABRS/CReefs capacity-building grants. Table 1 below outlines the grants available for
general capacity-building. Table 2 outlines the ABRS/CReefs capacity-building grant available for tropical
marine researchers.
Please note: non-salaried researcher grants are offered on an annual basis to allow the completion of
projects by non-salaried researchers. A particular priority for these grants is to capture knowledge from
senior, retired professionals and allow mentoring of junior researchers.
Table 1: General Capacity-Building Grants 2009/2010
Type of grant & amount
(per annum)
ABRS contribution
(per annum)
Duration (years)
Honours/Masters (by coursework)
Scholarship – $10,000
10,000
1 (or 2 part-time)
Ph.D. Scholarship – $30,000
30,000
3
5,000
1
Non-salaried researcher – $5,000
Table 2: ABRS/CReefs Capacity-Building Grants 2009/2010
Type of grant & amount
(per annum)
Ph.D. Scholarship – $30,000
ABRS contribution
(per annum)
CReefs contribution
(per annum)
Duration (years)
15,000
15,000
3
Priority areas for research grants 2009/2010
Projects funded under the National Taxonomy Research Grant Program must be public good in focus and
support the Australian Government’s National Research Priorities. The specific criteria used by ABRS to
determine whether a project will be eligible for an ABRS grant can be found in Attachment A – Priority Areas
for Research Grants 2009/2010. Applicants should familiarise themselves with the priority areas before
filling in the application form.
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Question 1: Type of grant requested
Please select the desired grant by placing an x in the grant requested box below.
Type of grant & amount (per annum)
ABRS contribution
(per annum)
CReefs
contribution
(per annum) Grant Requested
General Capacity-Building Grants
Honours/Masters (by coursework)
Scholarship — $10,000
10,000
n/a
Ph.D. Scholarship — $30,000
30,000
n/a
5,000
n/a
15,000
15,000
Non-salaried researcher grant —
$5,000
ABRS/CReefs Capacity-Building Grant
Ph.D. Scholarship — $30,000
Question 2: Applicant Details
Family Name
Given Name
Address
State/Territory
Phone
Email
Residential Status
Title of Project
Page 5 of 18
Please note: the next section of this document is not applicable to non-salaried
researcher grant applicants. Non-salaried researcher grant applicants must instead
supply a curriculum vitae (no more than four pages) using Arial 12 point type. Nonsalaried researcher grant applicants should proceed to Question 6.
Scholarship applicants must complete the following Questions 3 – 5.
Question 3: Institution and Supervisor details
Institution (proposed for study)
Address of Institution
Proposed Supervisor/s
Supervisor Phone
Supervisor Email
Institution Research Office
Contact and Phone Number
Question 4: Scholarship Applicant Education
Scholarship Applicant Tertiary Qualifications & Awards
Please list your tertiary qualifications, commencing with the highest level of qualification
obtained.
Undergraduate/higher degrees
Level of Honours (if applying
for Masters or Ph.D.
Scholarship)
Page 6 of 18
Year
Completed
Institution
Please list any academic awards or achievements.
Name of Award/Achievement
Institution
Year Received
Please note: scholarship applicants must supply ABRS with a certified hard copy of
their most recent academic transcript.
Question 5: Research experience
Using no more than 200 words, briefly outline any research or employment experience that
is related to your proposed project.
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Question 6: ABRS Research Priorities
Please nominate which ABRS Research Priorities are supported by the proposed project
by placing an x in the appropriate box/es. Further information regarding these priorities
can be found in Attachment A.
Priority
This Application supports x priority
Biodiversity, Conservation and Vulnerable and Endangered Species
1.1 Documenting Australia’s Biodiversity
1.2 Conservation
1.3 Vulnerable and Endangered Species
1.4 Identifying Australia’s Biodiversity
Public, Plant and Animal Health
2.1 Public, Plant and Animal Health
Building Taxonomic Capacity
3.1 Training of Early Career Researcher/s
3.2 Knowledge Management
3.3 Exchange of International Expertise
Using a maximum of 200 words, please explain how the ABRS Research Priorities
nominated in the table above will be supported by the proposed project.
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Question 7: Project details
Please describe the proposed project using a maximum of two pages and the subheadings
supplied below.
Project aim
[Please state clearly the primary aims of the project and why the project is necessary.]
Method
[Please detail the research procedures you intend to use. In the case of fieldwork, give
justification of its need, locations to be visited and the estimated time to be spent at each.
Please note what is already available in collections and estimate the number of taxa to be
described. Also detail the techniques used to determine specimens. If using molecular
techniques, please include the number of samples.]
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Outcomes
[Outline the general benefits of the grant. Please specifically cover expected outcomes (for
example, to advance scientific knowledge and understanding of a potential bio-indicator for
pollution).]
Facilities
[Please describe the research facilities available for the project.]
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Question 8: Supervisors
Please note: this question is not applicable to non-salaried researcher grant
applicants. Non-salaried researcher grant applicants should proceed to Question 9.
Please provide details of your nominated supervisor/s, using a maximum of one page and
the following subheadings. Please also attach a copy of the Curriculum Vitae of your
supervisor/s.
Supervisory and research experience
Role and responsibilities of supervisors
[Please complete only in the case of multiple supervisors.]
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Question 9: Academic referees
Please give the details of two persons who have been asked to support your application.
Your referees should be research scientists who are familiar with your most recent work. In
the case of students, one referee should be the Head of the Department or School.
Title · given name/s · surname
Address
State/Territory
Phone
………/ ………………
Fax
………/ ………………
Email
………………………………………………………
Title · given name/s · surname
Address
State/Territory
Phone
………/ ………………
Fax
………/ ………………
Email
………………………………………………………
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Important information
You must read this page
Freedom of Information
All relevant documents are subject to freedom of information (FOI) and are available by making a valid
application to the
FOI Officer
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Protection of information
The ABRS Advisory Committee evaluates applications for grants with the assistance of peers in the scientific
community both within Australia and overseas. Names of assessors are not released to applicants.
Assessors of applications are requested to destroy their copy of the application after completing their
assessment. This destruction must be by shredding or pulping, or, in the case of electronic records,
rendering the copy unreadable. The ABRS Advisory Committee and ABRS officers are bound to observe
confidentiality.
Appeals mechanism
ABRS has an appeals mechanism for those applicants who believe their proposal has been unfairly treated
in terms of the administrative procedures ONLY. Appeals in relation to the content of the proposal,
assessor reports or academic judgments made by the Advisory Committee will not be heard. The Advisory
Committee will not participate in discussion relating to academic judgments made on grant applications.
Applicants wishing to appeal against a decision, based on administrative procedures, may do so by notifying
the Director of ABRS in writing. Appeals must be lodged within 28 days from the date on the letter of
notification of the outcome of a grant application. An appeals panel of three people will be convened to
consider appeals. If the appeals panel finds evidence that the original decision was the result of undue
administrative process, it will direct the application be reappraised.
Permits
All collecting activities carried out as part of research funded or otherwise supported by ABRS must be
undertaken in full compliance with the laws and regulations of the States and Territories of the
Commonwealth of Australia. There are substantial fines for illegal collecting in most States, and these are
enforced. A range of authorities in each of the States and Territories is responsible for the issue of permits
for biological collection. Relevant information may be obtained from the leading wildlife management agency,
State museum or State herbarium in each State or Territory, who should be consulted, in any case, as part
of the planning process.
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Genetic resources
A permit is required to collect biological samples for genetic/biochemical research in Commonwealth areas
(including Commonwealth marine waters and Commonwealth biological collections). There are similar
requirements in Queensland and the Northern Territory, and other States are considering the introduction of
such measures. Contact details for each of the State and Territory management authorities can be seen at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/science/access/index.html.
Lodging of specimens and digital records
All specimens collected and digital records created in relation to ABRS grant-funded projects must be offered
for lodgment with a recognised permanent collection such as a State wildlife management agency, State
museum or State herbarium.
Animal ethics
Where the Activity involves the use and care of living non-human vertebrate animals or tissue for scientific
purposes, the Principle Investigator must obtain review of and approval for such scientific purposes from a
recognised animal ethics committee operating under the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of
Animals for Scientific Purposes. The applicant agrees to provide the Department with a certificate of
compliance with the appropriate guidelines prior to the commencement of any such scientific activities.
Submission of Progress and Final Reports
In submitting this application I agree, if successful, to provide ABRS with all progress reports (applicable to
Ph.D. Scholarship holders only) and a final report (applicable to all scholarship and non-salaried researcher
grantees) by the due dates. The templates for these reports can be found at
www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/funding-and-research/grants/index.html
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Important information
You must read and sign this page
Certification for Applicant
I certify to the best of my knowledge that:
 I have read, understood and agree to all conditions contained in the Important
Information section on the previous two pages of this document, and
 all the details on this application are correct and complete.
Signature of student/non-salaried
researcher
Name of student/non-salaried researcher Date
……/….../20.....
Certification for Institution
(not applicable to non-salaried researcher grant applicants)
1. I certify that adequate research support and facilities will be made available for the
student.
2. I certify that the institutional equipment and resources will be available for the duration
of the project.
3. I declare that the institution is prepared to administer this scholarship.
Signature of supervisor
Name and designation of supervisor
Institution
Date
……/….../20.....
Head of Administering Institution (or nominee) signature
Name and designation
Institution
Date
……/….../20.....
ABRS must receive a hard copy of this page, signed, OR a secure PDF of this page,
signed. See Checklist for more information.
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Checklist
Please read this list and ensure you have completed all items prior to submitting your application. Have you:

Filled in all questions using Arial font 12 point type?

Ensured the Project Details are complete using the supplied subheadings?

Checked that you have signed the application?

Scholarship applicants: Checked that the application is signed by your supervisor/s?
Checked that the application is signed by the host institution? Included a hard copy of your
most recent academic transcript and a copy of the curriculum vitae of your supervisor/s?

Non-salaried researcher grant applicants: Included a copy of your curriculum vitae?
Once you have answered yes to all these questions, you should:
Scholarship applicants:
 Submit all documentation as a hard copy by the closing date. This must be accompanied by an
electronic copy of your application and supervisor/s CV/s on CD ROM.
Non-salaried researcher grant applicants:
 Submit your application, CV and a secure PDF of the signature page by email by the closing date
OR
 Submit all documentation as a hard copy by the closing date. This must be accompanied by an
electronic copy of your application and CV on CD ROM.
Address to send documentation:
By Email
abrs.grants@environment.gov.au
Business Address
Business Manager
Australian Biological Resources Study
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
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Attachment A:
Priority Areas for Research Grants 2009/2010
Projects funded under the National Taxonomy Research Grant Program must be public good in focus and
support the Australian Government’s National Research Priorities. Within the National Research Priorities,
the following specific criteria are used by ABRS to determine whether a project will be eligible for an ABRS
grant.
1
1.
Biodiversity, Conservation and Vulnerable and Endangered Species
2.
Public, Plant and Animal Health
3.
Building Taxonomic Capacity
Biodiversity, Conservation and Vulnerable and Endangered
Species
Through their work, taxonomists provide information that is fundamental to the understanding and
management of our biological world. To be considered for ABRS funding under this criteria, the
researcher is required to demonstrate that the intended project will encompass one or more of the
following areas:
1.1
Documenting Australia’s Biodiversity:
Studies that contribute to documentation of Australia’s biodiversity, through identification,
revision and documentation of understudied taxonomic groups
- This may include, for example, studies of taxonomic groups in largely unexplored habitats or
molecular projects that make genetic information publicly available.
1.2
Conservation:
Taxonomic research that provides critical data underpinning national responses to humaninduced change, for conservation planning or for the rehabilitation of degraded environments
- This may include, for example, taxonomic or systematic research on a group likely to be
effective as an indicator of climate change, or focussed taxonomic research on a region subject
to major development.
1.3
Vulnerable and Endangered Species:
Taxonomic research that contributes to a greater knowledge of Australia’s vulnerable and
endangered biological heritage, especially that listed under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
- This may include, for example, a revision of a genus to clearly establish the taxonomic position
and conservation status of undescribed species, including species currently listed under the
EPBC Act.
1.4
Identifying Australia’s Biodiversity:
Tools and products that contribute to the identification of Australia’s biodiversity
- This may include, for example, an identification key for a taxonomic group at a national scale.
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2
Public, Plant and Animal Health
This criterion focuses on a range of research activities relevant to protecting Australians and
Australia’s natural resource industries and biodiversity from disease or pests. To be considered for
ABRS funding under the criterion of Public, Plant and Animal health, the researcher is required to
demonstrate that the proposed project contributes to the following:
2.1
Public, Plant and Animal Health:
Taxonomic research on native species that are, or have the potential to become, pests or
agents of disease, or may be venomous or toxic and thereby threaten public, plant or animal
health in Australia
- This may include the Australian component of a large taxonomic group that has nonindigenous representatives constituting a significant biosecurity risk, where there is a need to be
able to distinguish between native and exotic species.
3
Building Taxonomic Capacity
This criterion focuses on support for training and/or recruitment of taxonomists, especially for research
on critical taxonomic groups
- To be considered for ABRS funding under this criterion, the researcher is required to demonstrate
that the proposed project will encompass one or more of the following areas:
3.1
Training of early career researcher/s:
Taxonomic studies that include clearly specified opportunities for capture and passage of skills
and information from professionals to junior colleagues
- This may include a project where there is a component that includes a clearly documented
opportunity for passing knowledge from a more senior taxonomist to an early career researcher.
3.2
Knowledge Management:
Taxonomic studies that include clearly specified opportunities for capture and passage of skills
and information from retired professionals to younger colleagues
- This may include a project where there is a component that includes a clearly documented
opportunity for passing knowledge from a retired taxonomist.
3.2
Exchange of International Expertise:
Projects that facilitate international exchange of research expertise and training in areas that will
boost Australia's taxonomic capacity
- The lasting benefits to Australian taxonomy must be clearly specified and must include
capacity building
- For example, support may be sought for salary and travel costs to bring an international expert
to Australia or to enable an Australian researcher to train overseas.
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