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<br><b>2001 Graduate Fellowship for Coral Reef Research</b><b></b>
<p><b>International Society for Reef Studies</b>
<br><b>and the</b>
<br><b>Center for Marine Conservation</b></center>
<br><b></b> <b></b>
<p><b>Background and Fellowship Goals</b>
<p>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, US$15,000, to support one
Ph.D. student in the general area of coral reef ecosystem research. The
focus of the 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.
For example, projects that focus on factors that control productivity,
nutrient dynamics, carbonate accretion or erosion, fisheries, or the effects
of exploitation of coral reef resources are examples of suitable topics.
Projects that address such issues within the context of marine reserves
are especially suitable for Fellowship support. Projects are not
limited to these topics, but research should increase understanding of
reef function that is relevant to management at local, regional, or global
scales.
<p><b>Who can apply?</b>
<p>The Fellowship is available to students, worldwide, who are already
admitted to a graduate program at an accredited university. The intent
of the fellowship is to help Ph.D. students develop skills and to address
problems related to relevant applications of coral reef ecosystem research
and management. The Fellowship can be used to support salary, travel,
fieldwork, or laboratory analyses. The student can work entirely
at the host university, or can split time between developed and developing
country universities.
<p><b>Application materials</b>
<p>A three page proposal, using 12 Font or larger, double spaced, in English,
is required from prospective fellowship candidates: proposals that do not
meet these criteria may be returned. The proposal should include
the following sections:
<p>1. Overview: The overview starts with the Proposal Title, Author
Name, Author Address, Major Professor Name, Major Professor's Address (if
different than the Author's), and total amount in the budget request.
The overview places the proposed research in context with existing literature
and local needs.
<p>2. Methods: The methods section includes hypotheses, methods, and experimental
design - including details about how data will be analyzed;
<p>3. Results: The results section discusses how the work is relevant
to host country management and science issues. This section also
includes evidence of host country coordination (e.g. identification of
individuals or programs that will benefit from your results);
<p>The following two sections are required but not count against the three
page limit:
<p>4. Detailed Budget: The budget must not exceed $15,000.
Details about cost sharing relevant to the project are included in this
section; and
<p>5. Literature Cited: Use a bibliographic format that includes
full titles in the citations.
<p>An electronic version (any standard word processing format is acceptable)
and three written copies of the proposal must be provided. Electronic
submission via email is acceptable but written copies must also be received
by the deadline (see below). The student's major professor must submit
a support letter for the project based on their knowledge of the project,
and familiarity with the student's background and abilities. The
major professor should also submit a short (3 page) CV - electronic submission
of the letter and CV is preferred, but written versions are acceptable.
If work will be conducted at a second university, a support letter is required
from the sponsoring professor. Applications will be reviewed by a
panel with ISRS and CMC participants.
<p><b>Evaluation Criteria</b>
<p>Evaluation criteria include: scientific merit, feasibility, support
letter from major professor, cost sharing, host country coordination, and
relevancy to the Fellowship guidelines.
<p><b>SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS December 15, 2000</b>
<p><b>Administration of the Fellowship</b>
<p>The International Society for Reef Studies (ISRS) and the Center for
Marine Conservation (CMC) support the 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 CMC is committed to protecting ocean environments and conserving the
global abundance and diversity of marine life. Through science-based
advocacy, research, and public education, CMC promotes informed citizen
participation to reverse the degradation of our oceans.
<p><b>Application materials should be submitted to:</b><b></b>
<p><b>ISRS Recording Secretary</b>
<br><b>UNCW</b>
<br><b>515 Caribbean Drive</b>
<br><b>Key Largo, Florida 33037</b>
<p>email: millers@uncwil.edu
<p><b>(Award to be made by March 31, 2001)</b>
<p>Please visit the ISRS web site at <A HREF="http://www.uncwil.edu/isrs">http://www.uncwil.edu/isrs</A> for additional
information related to the Society and the Fellowship. The CMC web
site is <A HREF="http://www.cmc-ocean.org">http://www.cmc-ocean.org</A>
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