The 2024 programme will provide two €5,000 prizes (approx. AUD $8,200) recognising the work of two early-career researchers. Nominations are open to Masters and PhD students conducting innovative research using biodiversity data available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The Atlas of Living Australia is the Australian node of GBIF, meaning all data in the ALA are also accessible via GBIF.
All applicants need to receive a formal nomination from the heads of delegation and node managers of GBIF Participant countries. This year our team at the Atlas of Living Australia will coordinate the applications from Australian researchers. We will select two nominations to be assessed by the GBIF Science Committee.
Australian applications to the ALA are due by 31st May 2024.
Nomination process
Two Australian nominations will be selected for submission to GBIF by the Australian GBIF Delegation in time for the GBIF submission deadline. Please contact outreach@ala.org.au if you require further information.
A jury organised by GBIF Science Committee will select the two award recipients from the pool of nominees received from the country delegation by the GBIF Secretariat.
Note: Awardees are expected to acknowledge GBIF support when disseminating research results via peer-reviewed publications, presentations at professional meetings, and other media.
Award nomination packet
Candidates should prepare their proposal and nomination packets to include:
- Research summary (200 words)
- Project description (maximum 5 pages, 12-point Arial font) that describes:
a. 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 mobilised 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. - Curriculum vitae of the student applicant including full contact information at the home institution.
- Supporting documents
a. An official letter from the student’s faculty mentor/supervisor certifying that the applicant is a student in good standing in the graduate program of the university.
b. 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.)
How to submit an application to the ALA (Australian applicants)
- Visit the GBIF 2024 Graduate Researchers Award page and follow the instructions.
- Submit your nominations to outreach@ala.org.au with ‘2024 GBIF Graduate Researchers Application _YOUR NAME’ in the subject line by 31st May 2024.
The criteria for the awards 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
Further information
Full details, including how to nominate and eligibility criteria, can be found on the GBIF website.