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Global Research Alliance Senior Scientist Award

Purpose

The GRASS Award will provide funds for extended exchanges between New Zealand scientists and scientists from other Alliance member countries in accordance with the mission and objectives of LEARN and the Alliance.

The Awards seek to:

  • Attract and support strategic research and capacity building activities that align with the priorities of the Alliance as well as any relevant New Zealand national research strategies (e.g. the science plan of the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC)).
  • Develop international opportunities and utilise advances in the application of novel techniques and approaches for agricultural GHG emissions mitigation that is of benefit to New Zealand and other Alliance countries.
  • Aid the transfer of knowledge on agricultural GHG emissions measurement, modelling and mitigation technologies and practices that assist agriculture to reduce GHG emissions and increase the efficiency of agricultural production systems.
  • Advance common research interests, and the initiation of promising research programmes and tools to increase the level of funding, scientific skills, technology capabilities that New Zealand and other Alliance countries are able to benefit from.

The Awards are designed to support extended exchanges of scientists; the Awards DO NOT support conference visits or short-term stays of less than 6 weeks duration.

Eligibility Requirements

The GRASS Awards are open to scientists from all Alliance member countries. The Award will fund a New Zealand scientist to travel and live/work in an Alliance member country OR a scientist from an Alliance member country to travel and live/work in New Zealand to collaborate on a research project in the field of agricultural GHG mitigation for up to 6 months.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Have a PhD or be a scientist with at least 5 years experience participating in/leading major projects that align to the priorities of LEARN, the Alliance or other relevant national strategies.
  • Demonstrate impact and leadership in your professional field.
  • Be able to contribute to scientific research and its application in your home region and the larger Alliance network, based on your networking record.
  • Work in collaboration with a New Zealand research organisation.
  • Be resident and normally employed on a permanent contract by a research organisation in an Alliance member country.
  • Be able to speak and understand English to a level sufficient to function in a research role.

Funding

The exchange must be between 6 weeks and 6 months duration and be completed within one year of the GRASS Award having been granted.

  • Up to $30,000 for 6 months (pro rata for less than 6 months) will be provided to recipients to cover actual and reasonable living expenses.
  • Up to $5,000 will be provided for economy airfares and travel/medical insurance.
  • Up to $5,000 will be awarded for associated research costs.

All funds will be made available subject to a budget being completed and submitted with evidence and details of costs as estimated at the time of application. All funds will be administered through the New Zealand research institution collaborating in the application process.

Once an award has been granted, it will be the responsibility of the recipient to make all necessary arrangements for travel, accommodation, insurance and any other logistical requirements.

 

How to Apply

Download the application form and budget sheet from the LEARN or NZAGRC websites. A two stage process applies.

Stage One

An Expression of Interest (EoI) form must be completed and submitted to the NZAGRC Operations Manager - International to determine eligibility.

doc GRASS award Expression of Interest (0.28MB)

Stage Two

Once the NZAGRC Operations Manager - International has confirmed eligibility, the candidate will be invited to submit a full application to be considered by an assessment panel.

Submission of full applications can occur anytime throughout the year however, full applications will be assessed on a quarterly basis on the following dates:

  • January 30th
  • April 30th
  • July 30th
  • October 30th

The full application process is as follows:

  1. Develop a proposal for the training programme in close collaboration with a New Zealand research organisation. Complete a budget with all supporting evidence of associated costs.
  2. Complete relevant sections of the application form in English.
  3. Sign and date the declaration.
  4. Attach any supporting documents as stipulated on the application form.
  5. Send completed application documents to the New Zealand organisation participating in this exchange; this is the organisation where you would be based while in New Zealand.
  6. Submission of the application by the New Zealand organisation with all supporting documentation to the Operations Manager (International) at the NZAGRC.
        

More Information

For more information or clarification about the LEARN Technician Award visit the following websites: