The FBIP invites post-graduate students working on foundational biodiversity information-related projects to take part in the joint BIMF-FBIP Forum (download announcement PDF).

There is a limited amount of funding available to support students to participate in the BIMF-FBIP Forum 2019. The Forum is a national platform dedicated to discussing biodiversity information management issues and will include a Post-Grad Student Forum on the 19th of August 2019 as well as training sessions on the 22 of August 2018. Students are invited to give a short speed presentation or poster of their research findings during the main programme.

The objectives of the Post-Grad Student Forum are for students to:

  • present their study findings  and share research ideas
  • network with other students and academics across different research programs and disciplines
  • improve their knowledge and skills through informative presentations or short workshops

How to apply for student travel assistance:

Eligibility

In order to qualify for this travel assistance, the applicant must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

  • Must be working on foundational biodiversity information-related projects including systematics, taxonomy and other disciplines that generate or that use foundational biodiversity information (e.g. DNA barcodes or sequence data, specimen or observation data).
  • Must be registered for a Masters or Doctoral degree or must be registered/employed as a Postdoctoral fellow/associate.
  • The application must be completed in full and submitted by the due date.

 What will the travel assistance cover?

  • Registration fees including lunches, teas and coffee
  • Shared accommodation including dinner and breakfast
  • Return economy class flight ticket to Johannesburg (OR Tambo or Lanseria airports), where applicable and transfers between airport and venue. Transport between home and nearest airport will only be covered where the distance from home to the airport is greater than 100km; or Ground transportation if it is a shorter distance to the venue than to the nearest airport or in cases where it is more time and cost effective.

 Notes:

  • Recipients are expected to make alternative funding arrangements for all other costs associated with attending the congress that are not covered by the grant.
  • Applicants must submit an abstract for a short oral presentation or poster.
  • The application motivation must be co-signed by the applicant’s supervisor.
  • Successful candidates will be required to submit a short report on their learning at the forum within 1 month after the event.

 Application process:

Please follow the link: https://forms.gle/Et1UVEuHasVbWw4z7 to complete the application form and submit the form with the required documents listed below. Please name each document clearly. Files must be <10MB.

  • Certified copy of your ID.
  • Proof of University registration for 2019 (Master & Doctoral students) or proof of registration/employment (Postdoctoral fellows).
  • Motivation for attendance (students and postdoctoral fellows) and recommendation and approval (supervisors). Please use the template provided (download template PDF). In the motivation (max 250 words) please explain why you would like to attend the forum and why the grant would be important.
  • An abstract for a short presentation/poster of your research project (clearly specify the presentation type, i.e. poster or speed presentation).

 A selection committee will assess and select successful applications. The FBIP, through the review committee, reserves the right to make the final decision on awarding travel assistance. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Closing date: 27 June 2019

 Enquiries:                       

Lita Pauw

Email: L.Pauw@sanbi.org.za

Telephone: 012 843 5113