Student Science Communication Grant

Aim of the award

This grant is designed to provide support a postgraduate student studying ecology in Aotearoa New Zealand to communicate their research to the public. The grant reflects the society’s goals of promoting the study of ecology and the application of ecological knowledge. 

Award

One grant will be awarded per year (at the discretion of council) to a postgraduate student who can demonstrate how they will translate their research into a science communication output/activity for the general public (or one sector of the community, e.g., Kura Kaupapa Māori) on their research. This may include (but is not limited to) physical or digital outputs such as cartoons, games, animations, or a series of videos, either produced by the student or in collaboration with artists, animators, or other creatives. All ideas will be considered. Applicants can apply for up to $2500; with 80% of the funds grants on receiving the award and the remaining 20% received on delivery/evidence of the output/materials to the society for promotion on their website/social media (within 1 year of receiving the award). Outputs should be designated as Creative Commons for public use.

Eligibility

To apply for this grant, applicants must be:

• currently enrolled, or enrolled six months prior to the grant closing date, in a NZ university for postgraduate study (MSc, PhD or equivalent) in ecology;
• a current member of the Te Aka Toro | New Zealand Ecological Society;

Previous recipients of this grant are not eligible to apply again.

Selection

Grants will be assessed on the originality and quality of the proposed science communication activity/output related to the student’s research, and the ability to deliver to output/activity within the funding and time constraints. 

The selection panel shall consist of current elected council members of Te Aka Toto | Zealand Ecological Society. Where deemed appropriate the council may co-opt ex-officio members of the council on to the selection panel, and/or delegate a sub-committee to oversee selection. The nominated committee reserves the right not to allocate grants in any given year.

Application

Please email application form to the awards convenor (Margaret Stanley, mc.stanley@auckland.ac.nz) by 31 July 2026.

Application form download.

Applications (as detailed in the form) must include: 1) a brief summary of your research project, 2) an explanation of the proposed science communication activity/output, 3) a brief summary of your interest in and experience in communicating science to people other than scientists, and  4) details of how the grant will be spent.

For any queries, contact the awards convenor (Margaret Stanley, mc.stanley@auckland.ac.nz).