IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist
Group
Student Research Assistance Scheme (SRAS)
The IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group’s Student
Research Assistance Scheme (SRAS) has been developed with the
specific goal of encouraging and assisting undergraduate and
post-graduate students to undertake formal research on crocodilians,
particularly field research. The CSG recognizes that crocodile
research often involves a greater commitment of resources and time
by students, relative to many other subjects, and believes that this
justifies efforts to assist. This is the type of research that gives
students the skills needed to assist crocodile conservation and to
become active CSG members in the future.
The SRAS will provide up to $US1000 per year to a limited number of
projects that meet the criteria for assistance. The grant is not
designed to fully fund projects, nor to sustain them over years, but
rather to provide some direct financial assistance to students
during their study. Students are encouraged to use the CSG funds,
and the "CSG Approved Project" status, to try and lever more project
funds from other sources.
Eligibility
The proposed project must be part of a formal
undergraduate or post-graduate student degree course leading to
higher qualification. The applicant must have appropriate academic
supervision. Although not mandatory, some involvement with the
student or their project by an existing CSG member is desirable.
Project Criteria
Projects meeting one or more of the
following criteria are more likely to be considered
favourably:
Criterion
Description
1.
Projects on crocodilian species
identified by the CSG as in need of conservation
action
2.
Projects with direct and
indirect conservation significance.
3.
Projects that quantify the
status of crocodilians.
4.
Projects at the dynamic
population level of resolution.
5.
Projects that develop
analytical tools that can assist threatened
crocodilians.
6.
Projects that address
constraints on sustainable use.
7.
Projects involving local people
in crocodilian conservation and management.
8.
Projects that develop
educational and promotional materials.
9.
Projects involving training and
capacity building.
10.
Projects with exceptional
scientific merit.
Projects focused on research largely unrelated to
conservation, management and sustainable use will be
considered for funding if they have exceptional merit, but
they are not a CSG priority at this time.
Eligible Expenditure
Any expenditure that the Supervisor and/or the CSG consider
will assist the student's project and/or the student’s
professional development in the context of the project will
be considered eligible. Ownership of equipment purchased
with the CSG funds will be vested in the student unless the
student and supervisor agree that it be retained by the
institution.
Verification
The Supervisor will be responsible for confirming that the
CSG that funds have been used for eligible expenditure.
Applications
The following guidelines apply to all applications for the
SRAS:
•
Applications can
be initially submitted at any time, using the SRAS “Application Form” (available in English, Spanish
and French at www.iucncsg.org).
•
Applications can
be submitted in English, Spanish or French. [In
the case of Spanish and French, a summary (up to
300 words) in English will also be required].
•
Applications
should not exceed 4 pages.
•
Applications
should stress the significance of the research
and the general approach to it. The methodology
should be as succinct as possible but
understandable for experienced reviewers. Cite
references from the scientific literature
whenever possible. The emphasis should be on
describing the expected outcomes
•
Applications
should be endorsed in writing by the chair/head
of the relevant research institution,
university, or other major, international
conservation organization.
•
All applications
will be evaluated by at least three (3) CSG
reviewers.
Conditions
It is a condition of the grant that successful applicants
provide a summary report or update on the project to the CSG
within 12 months of SRAS funding being provided.
Future Funding
Receipt of the grant in one year of a project does not infer
that funding will be provided in subsequent years. The aim
is to use the fund to assist the maximum number of students
possible. If funding is sought for a continuation of a
project, the outcomes/results from the previous SRAS funding
will be essential to the application even being considered.
Submission of Proposals
Applications should be e-mailed to the CSG Executive Officer
(csg@wmi.com.au).
