The call is open for applications to the 2018 Young Researchers Award. This annual programme aims to foster innovative research and discovery in biodiversity informatics by graduate students whose master’s and doctoral studies rely on GBIF-mediated data.
The 2018 programme will provide €5,000 prizes recognizing the work of two graduate students—preferably, one master’s and one PhD candidate. Portugal, as GBIF Participant Country, will nominate two candidates selected from the national applications submitted to the GBIF Portuguese Node until 10 May 2018. The Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, through the Scientific Council for Natural and Environmental Sciences will collaborate with the Portuguese Node in selecting the two portuguese nominees to be presented by Portugal.
The winners will be announced just prior to the 25th GBIF Governing Board meeting, to be held in Kilkenny, Ireland, in October 2018.
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 10 May 2018. It will not be possible the direct submission of applications to the GBIF International Secretariat. Submissions of incomplete proposals will not be considered.
Award nomination packet:
- Research summary (200 words)
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Project description (maximum 5 pages, 12-point Arial) that describes
- The need for the research and the question(s) it addresses.
- 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.
- The research scope, plan, methodologies, relevant literature citations and timetable.
- 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.
- Budget (1 page), itemized and justified. NOTE: budgetary items are restricted to academic fees, essential equipment, supplies (e.g. hardware, software) and travel; salary support is not permitted.
- Curriculum vitae of the student applicant including full contact information at the home institution.
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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 member of the FCT Scientific Council for Natural and Environmental Sciences.
The GBIF Science Committee will review the nominations and select winners of the Young Researchers Awards in September 2018. Awardees will be announced at GBIF’s 25th Governing Board meeting in Ireland the following month.
The criteria for the awards, both at national and international level, include,:
- 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 disseminate research results via peer-reviewed publications, presentations at professional meetings, and other media.