The Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust Grants Program
Most people suspect that our way of life has had an impact on the environment and wildlife, both locally and globally. Some species have benefited as a result of human activities but others unfortunately have suffered. Scientific research allows wildlife and natural resource managers to develop solutions to problems and achieve positive conservation outcomes.
Through our Conservation and Wildlife Fund, the Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust Grants Program provides an opportunity for university students to access funding to enable them to undertake research. This research will ultimately improve our understanding of wildlife and their habitats.
Instructions for applicants
The Conservation and Wildlife Research Trust (CWRT) Grants Program provides scholarships up to $2,000 per year to honours or postgraduate students engaged in environmental sciences, wildlife sciences and management, and zoology projects at Australian universities.
Grants are available for research projects that investigate methods of addressing or reversing negative impacts of native and exotic species of wildlife, or addressing or reversing decline in habitat, or other applied wildlife conservation research in Australia. Grants will not fund projects involved with animal rights or other anthropomorphic topics.
Grants may be used for the purchase of equipment and consumables, travel expenses related to field research, or attendance of a conference at which you are presenting your work. Applications should be a maximum of 3-4 pages in length (including a brief CV), and set out under the following headings:
- Introduction: An introduction and background to your research project. Specify its aims and outline its importance to the wildlife and habitat conservation. Supply sufficient information for the Trustees to understand the context of your project.
- Methods: Outline your proposed methodology to demonstrate that your aims are achievable. You must also provide evidence that you have obtained (or at least applied for) any relevant research licences, permits or approvals (including animal ethics).
- Schedule: Outline a proposed time frame for the completion of your project.
- Budget: Itemise the expenses involved in conducting your research including the declaration of any funds already secured from other sources. This will not reduce your chances of success, but will assist in putting the CWRT funding into context.
- Brief Curriculum Vitae (CV): The final page of your application should consist of a short CV that demonstrates an ability to produce results of a high standard. Also include the contact details of two referees who can make informed comment on your proposed project, one of whom should be your academic supervisor.
Send a single copy of your completed application, using the subject heading ‘CWRT Grants Program’, to [email protected]
Successful applicants will be notified once the application assessment is complete.
This Grants Program is ongoing and applicants can apply anytime during the year.
Conditions of sponsorship
Recipients of CWRT grants will be requested to acknowledge the CWRT’s contribution in all publications and presentations arising from their project. In addition, recipients will be required to submit a brief report of their results to the CWRT on completion of the project. This report will be published on the CWRT website and may also be used in future CWRT publications.