Student Research Awards

Applications for the 2023 award are now closed

In 2023, the Australian Coral Reef Society (ACRS) will support the research of up to five students by the provision of Student Awards. The most outstanding proposals (which meet the eligibility criteria) will be awarded the Terry Walker Prize of $4,000 or the Danielle Simmons Prize of $4,000. Up to three ACRS research awards of $2,500 will also be awarded. Awards may not be used to fund conference attendance or travel not related to field studies.

Given Terry Walker’s commitment to field studies on Australian coral reefs and cays, this award is to be spent primarily on field studies on Australian coral reefs.

Given Danielle Simmons commitment to field work at Heron Island, successful applicants for this award will need to spend some time at Heron Island working in the field.

The other research grants (up to three) of $2,500 are to be used for laboratory and/or field studies relevant to Australian coral reefs.

To apply, please read our guidelines and download and complete the Application Form and Budget Report:

1. Guidelines
2. Information on funding for applicant’s university 
3. Application Form
4. Budget Report (to be submitted mid-May the following year)

To submit your application, please email your completed application each as a single WORD file (lastname_firstname.docx) to Kenny Wolfe (austcoralreefsoc@gmail.com).                                    

The closing date for research grant applications for 2023 will be Friday 7th April 2023, 5pm AEDT (4pm QLD time, 2pm WA time). Successful applicants will be notified by mid-May, with the formal announcement of award recipients to be made as part of the proceedings of the ACRS Annual General Meeting 2023. 

Incomplete applications, applications not submitted in the format requested as well as applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Successful applicants will be required to submit a budget report the following year and outline their spending and outcomes of the project: planned publication and social media message with photos to promote your project on ACRS website and social media.Information on funding for applicant’s university