Hidden Vale Conservation Research Support Grants

We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the second round of Hidden Vale Conservation Research Support Grants.

The fund is intended to support UQ academics to attract high-quality students and support research that could lead to external research funding that is of core strategic interest to the Hidden Vale partnership between UQ and the Turner Family Foundation (TFF).

The Hidden Vale Research Station supports a wide range of research, teaching, and engagement initiatives in wildlife conservation and ecology. Forming the backbone of The Hidden Vale Project are 3 large private properties, managed by the Turner Family Foundation (TFF) that sustain a diversity of wildlife, regional ecosystems, habitat types and land uses.

Through research, rewilding, ecological restoration and education, the Hidden Vale Project seeks to build an enduring legacy for wildlife conservation and restoration.

A total of $180,000 is available in this round. The philosophy of this funding scheme is to support a diversity of researchers and projects.

The Faculty will fund research in two possible streams:

(i) the PhD Support Fund will fund new PhD projects of up to 3 years in duration and

(ii) the Honours/Masters Support Fund will fund new projects over a one-year period.

Prior to submission, applicants are encouraged to discuss the strategic fit of their proposed project to the Hidden Vale Project with Professor Robbie Wilson, Academic Director Hidden Vale Research Station: r.wilson@uq.edu.au.

Previous strategic investments in long-term research projects provide some unique opportunities for researchers looking to value-add; including projects on restoration thinning, fire ecology and management, biodiversity monitoring, and captive breeding and conservation.

Details

Projects to commence no later than 2024.
UQ academic must be the lead applicant and primary supervisor.
Funds to be spent in support of work directly related to the research project.
Applications may be partially funded at the discretion of the selection committee.
Funding is to be used for research at the Hidden Vale property and/or Research Station – although exceptions will be considered when the research aligns with the core goals of the Hidden Vale Project.

PhD Support Fund

Honours/Masters Support Fund

Funding will normally be awarded in a one-off payment of up to $15,000 at the commencement of the project.
Funding is to be used to undertake a specific research project that will be undertaken by one student.
Research undertaken by Masters of Conservation Research Students will be considered in this scheme.
Consideration will be given to undergraduate student projects that are well aligned with other students supported in this scheme.

Eligibility

Selection Criteria

Alignment with the goals of the Hidden Vale Project and likelihood that the proposed project could develop into a long-term research program as part of the Hidden Vale Project.
Preference will be given to projects that could either:
(i) develop into a long-term research program based at Hidden Vale Research Station (Wildlife Centre or associated properties), or
(ii) take advantage of previous strategic investments. More information available from Academic Director.
Importance of the research for the relevant discipline or disciplines (e.g., innovation, quality, significance, international standing, etc.)
Track record of the Lead applicant and suitability of the investigator(s) for the proposed project
Likelihood that the proposed program will result in additional external-sourced funding within 24 months of the completion of the project
Budget - feasibility including well-justified budget and ability to deliver the project. Budget should also consider that multiple projects are likely to be funded.

Application Process

Apply using the Hidden Vale Conservation Support Grants application form below.
Applications must be approved by the lead applicant's HoS before submission to the Faculty.
Applications are due 25 August 2023 at 5pm.
Applications will be ranked by a committee of the Associate Dean (Research), members of which will be nominated by the Faculty Research Committee.
Final outcomes are at the discretion of the Executive Dean.
Outcomes will be announced in October 2023.
Information on successful projects will be circulated within the Faculty to profile the projects and promote the Fund.
Successful projects will be required to submit a progress report to the Associate Dean (Research) after 12, 24 and 36 months for the PhD Support Fund and after 12 months for the Honours/Masters Support Fund.

For further information, contact the Science Research Management Team: science.research@uq.edu.au or 3443 2310.