The 2024 edition of the 2024 GBIF Graduate Researchers Award is now with a new call open. This annual programme aims to foster innovative research and investigation in biodiversity informatics by graduate students whose master’s and doctoral studies rely on GBIF-mediated data. The deadline for submissions at national level is May 31th 2024.
The 2024 programme will provide €5,000 prizes recognizing the work of two graduate students—preferably, one Master’s and one PhD candidate. Portugal, as a GBIF Participant Country, will nominate two candidates selected among national applications submitted to the GBIF Portuguese Node by May 31th, 2024. The Portuguese Node of GBIF will select the two portuguese nominees to be presented by Portugal.
The winners will be announced in Autumn 2024.
Eligibility
Candidates to be nominated by Portugal must be enrolled in a university graduation programme to be eligible for the award. Candidates must be either Portuguese citizens or citizens of another country but students in a Portuguese institution.
Submission process and deadlines
Candidates should submit their application, by email, to node@gbif.pt by the 31th of May 2024 The direct submission of applications to the GBIF International Secretariat is not possible. Submissions of incomplete proposals will not be considered.
Award nomination documents:
1. Research summary (200 words)
2. Project description (maximum 5 pages, 12-point Arial) that describes:
A. The need for the research and the question(s) it addresses, namelly how the research advances biodiversity informatics and/or the conservation of biological diversity.
B. The role of data accessed through GBIF in addressing these questions. Research proposals must clearly demonstrate how the study incorporates data mobilized through GBIF. Students with questions about GBIF-enabled data should work with academic advisors, their GBIF national node, the GBIF Secretariat or members of the Science Committee to increase their understanding.
C. The research scope, plan, methodologies, relevant literature citations and timetable.
D. If relevant, a description or an excerpt from a data management plan that outlines how data related to the research is published or will be prepared for publication through the GBIF network to GBIF.org.
3. Curriculum vitae of the student applicant including a full contact information at the home institution.
4. Supporting documents
- An official letter from the student’s faculty mentor/supervisor certifying that the applicant is a student in good standing in the graduate programme of the university.
- At least one, and no more than three, letters of support from established researchers active in a field that encompasses and incorporates biodiversity informatics (e.g., genetics, species composition and traits, biogeography, ecology, systematics, et al.)
Selection process and criteria
Proposals will be evaluated at national level, for the selection of one master's and one PhD candidate, which will be nominated by the Portuguese Head of Delegation to GBIF. The national selection with be done by the board of PORBIOTA in collaboration with the Portuguese Node of GBIF.
The GBIF Science Committee will review the nominations and select winners of the Young Researchers Awards. Awardees will be announced in Autumn 2024.
The criteria for the awards, both at national and international level, includes:
- Originality and innovation
- Use of and strategic significance for data accessed through GBIF
- Measurable effectiveness and impact in advancing biodiversity informatics and/or the conservation of biological diversity
Awardees are expected to acknowledge GBIF support when disseminating research results via peer-reviewed publications, presentations at professional meetings, and other media.