AGC News 2nd November - 15th November 2009

Table of Contents

• NCCARF- Terrestrial Biodiversity Network PhD collaborative travel grants
• Review Extensions
• Warning to students - mule scams
• Future Research Leaders Program
• Postgraduate Scholarships Currently Available
• 2010 Bioscience Achievement Awards – Nominations Now Open!

NCCARF- Terrestrial Biodiversity Network PhD collaborative travel grants

NCCARF is an initiative of the Federal Government, based at Griffith University’s Gold Coast Campus. The key roles of NCCARF include establishing and maintaining adaptation research networks to assist in information transfer to end users and linking together researchers across Australia who have interests in climate change adaptation research. The student funding described here are available from the NCCARF – Terrestrial Biodiversity Network (hosted at James Cook University) and are to encourage research that will facilitate adaptation to a changing climate that will help protect Australia’s terrestrial biodiversity.

The primary goal of the Terrestrial Biodiversity network is to develop explicit and practical strategies that increase the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems and maximise their adaptive potential under climate change.  The research priorities of this network are to collate knowledge, co-ordinate expertise and synthesise these inputs into recommendations and frameworks that will guide the way forward for Australia to adapt to global climate change. Applicants should make sure that the proposed research explicitly addresses adaptation and not be purely impacts research.

To find out more information about the network or to subscribe please visit http://www.nccarf.edu.au/terrestrialbiodiversity/

PhD collaborative travel grants
Availability
The funds will be offered to a total of 10 PhD students each year to facilitate travel to other national or international research groups and organisations and will increase the skills base of applicant.  Research must be supervised by members of the NCCARF network and anyone can join by contacting the network coordinator listed below.   These grants will be made available again in 2010.

Payment Information
A total of 10 grants are available for PhD students to visit and collaborate with national or international labs and research centre’s in order to help them to gain skills not provided in their own research environment. Applications up to a maximum of $3000 are welcome. Please request the application form and submit them to yvette.williams@jcu.edu.au

Research Information
Applications will be accepted in a wide range of disciplines, however the research undertaken must be relevant to the area of climate change adaptation for Terrestrial Biodiversity.

Eligibility
Domestic applicants from any Australian University may apply.  Applicants must have commenced their candidature and show proof of acceptance to an Australian University PhD program.

Applications due by COB on 20th Nov 2009 via email to Yvette.williams@jcu.edu.au 
Please direct any questions to Yvette.williams@jcu.edu.au

Review Extensions

Student's are reminded that request's for extensions on the Annual Review, Core Component or Major Review must be emailed to the Graduate Centre from a supervisor, Postgraduate Coordinator or Head of School, before the due date.

Warning to students - mule scams

Attention is invited to the information below which was distributed to all students via an email from Student Services recently.

"Banks and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are warning university students about money mule scams when seeking holiday employment.

The Australian Bankers' Association (ABA) and the AFP have prepared a fact sheet, 'Warning to students - don't get caught by mule scams'. It warns students of the scams which trap them into laundering money for criminals by becoming a money mule.

The fact sheet contains some useful tips on how to avoid these scams including being cautious about accepting job opportunities that offer you the chance of making money simply by moving money in and out of any bank account, never providing confidential banking details to anyone and taking steps to verify the background of any company or person that make you a job offer.

More tips can be read in the fact sheet at these websites:
Australian Bankers' Association: www.bankers.asn.au/
Australian Federal Police: www.afp.gov.au"

Future Research Leaders Program

This world-first leadership program has been developed collaboratively by the Go8 universities, and is delivered in full each semester for the benefit of the research community of the University of Adelaide. The program is aimed at current and aspiring research leaders, and seeks to build a range of skills and knowledge critical to successful research leadership and management.

Project Close Out - Module 8
A good project close out and review process is dependent on having had good processes for setting goals, priorities, project definitions, scope, schedules and budgets as well as having effective controls for monitoring and tracking changes during the life of the project.

Wednesday 4 Nov
12.30-4.30pm
AGC Seminar Room
Level 6, 115 Grenfell Street

Working lunch and afternoon tea provided

Register for workshop

For further details on workshop

Postgraduate Scholarships Currently Available

To view a list of currently available postgraduate scholarships go to: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/postgrad/

To view a list of postgraduate research scholarships available to commencing international applicants go to: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/scholarships/postgrad/international/

2010 Bioscience Achievement Awards – Nominations Now Open!

Bio Innovation SA (BioSA) invites you to apply for the 2010 Bioscience Achievement Awards.

These Awards recognise individuals involved in the South Australian bioscience community who have made an important contribution to the development of South Australia’s bioscience sector.

Award Categories

• Young Achiever – for individuals under 35*, who have made a significant contribution to his or her company / organisation
• Industry Leader – for individuals who have made a significant impact to the growth and development of his or her company / organisation and/or to the South Australian bioscience industry

* Individuals aged over 35 may be considered under this category, taking into account family-related or other special circumstances.

The Awards are open to individuals working in the all fields of the bioscience sector including biotechnology, medical devices and environmental science, as well as venture capital and business consultants focusing on the life sciences.

Award Prizes

• BioSA Young Achiever
  One winner will be awarded in this category prize money to the value of $10,000.
• BioSA Industry Leader
  One winner will be awarded in this category prize money to the value of $10,000.

Download the Nomination Form and Guidelines.

Nominations close Friday, 13 November 2009 at 5pm.

For further information about the Awards contact Ms Julie Chmielowski, Marketing and Communications Manager on +61 8 8217 6400.