Graduate research funding opportunity
Steven Miller
smiller at gate.net
Fri Sep 6 11:36:00 EDT 1996
Sollins Graduate Fellowship for Coral Reef
Ecosystem Studies: 1997 Announcement
Students are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to acquire
international experience during their graduate studies of coral reefs. The fellowship
and application materials are described below.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, they are
globally distributed, and they support various aspects of coastal economies. Yet coral
reefs are widely recognized to be in decline and studies are needed to provide
information to manage and understand processes that cause coral reef change. Funds are
available, approximately US$12,000 annually, to support one student to work toward a
Ph.D. in the general area of coral reef ecosystem research. The focus of the Sollins
Fellowship is to understand and predict coral reef response to management or
disturbance-caused change (human-caused or natural). Research supported by the
fellowship should emphasize an ecosystem approach, recognizing the complex interplay
among many processes that shape the way coral reefs look and function. Work that
identifies controls on productivity, nutrient dynamics, carbonate accretion or erosion,
or water circulation are examples of suitable topics. Work is not restricted to these
topics, but controls should be emphasized because this information is important in
construction of models that predict reef response to disturbance. Studies that include
development or testing of such models are a priority.
Who can apply?
The Sollins Fellowship is available to graduate students, worldwide. The intent
of the fellowship is to help students develop skills and to address problems related to
relevant applications of coral reef ecosystem research and management. The fellowship
is payable directly to the graduate student (or their institution) and can be used to
support salary, travel, fieldwork, or laboratory analyses. The fellowship is awarded
annually and renewal for several years is possible but dependent on satisfactory
progress. The student can work entirely at the host university, or can split time
between developed and developing country universities. The fellowship is available to
students already admitted to a graduate program at an accredited university. The
fellowship is available to graduate students worldwide to study at accredited
universities, anywhere. A goal of the fellowship is to provide international support
for coral reef ecosystem research.
Application materials
A two page application letter, in English, is required from prospective
fellowship candidates that outlines the research program, emphasizing the mix of applied
and basic issues addressed in the program, availability of facilities critical to
successful completion of the work, and a time schedule to complete the work. An
official college transcript is also required. The student's major professor is required
to submit a CV and a support letter, in English, that details cost sharing and facility
support. If work will be conducted at a second university, a support letter is required
from the sponsoring institution and professor. Application materials will be reviewed
by an ISRS/CMC panel; evaluation criteria include scientific merit, feasibility, cost
sharing, and relevancy to the Sollins Fellowship guidelines.
The International Society for Reef Studies
and the
Center for Marine Conservation
The Society (ISRS) and the Center (CMC) support the Sollins Fellowship through
professional and administrative contributions. The mission of the ISRS is to promote
for the benefit of the public, the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge
and understanding concerning coral reefs, both living and fossil. The mission of the
CMC is to conserve the health and wealth of marine life. Its programs focus on
eliminating four major threats to the health of the marine environment: pollution,
physical alteration of marine ecosystems as a result of human activity, overexploitation
of marine resources, and loss of marine biodiversity.
Application materials should be submitted to the ISRS Recording Secretary, UNCW, 514
Caribbean Drive, Key Largo, Florida 33037
For questions:
305-451-0233 telephone
smiller at gate.net e-mail
Submission Deadline for 1997 support is September 30, 1996
More information about the Coral-list-old
mailing list