Ethel Mary Read Research Grants

In 1985, the Council of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales decided to establish the Ethel Mary Read (EMR) Research Grant Fund. The initial source of the fund arose from a bequest to the Society from Mrs Ethel Mary Read, a long-time supporter of the Society. The Council decided to use the bequest to support short term research projects and young zoologists working in any aspect of zoology within Australasia.

The Nature of the Grants

EMR Grants are small research grants. They are intended for researchers who are just starting out in their respective fields of study and will cover minor costs. Applications are restricted to members of the RZS. A degree is not a prerequisite. However, applicants must be able to demonstrate in their application that they have the scientific competence to undertake and complete the proposed research project.

The maximum grant awarded is $AUD 1500.00 per year and applicants are free to re-apply for funding regardless of whether they have been successful in previous years. The size of the grant means that the EMR Research Fund may bridge a gap in existing funding, may be used to instigate pilot studies, may be devoted to travel costs in the field or may be used to purchase equipment. There are no restrictions on how the grant may be used in contributing to the nominated research program. However we do not provide funding to support travel to conferences or workshops.

How to Apply for an EMR Grant

Applications close on the 30^th of April each year. Notices are posted on the RZS website and forwarded to universities and other institutions in February. Both academic and non-academic persons are encouraged to apply.

Grants are awarded in July and run for one financial year. Applicants are required to be members of the RZS for the duration of the grant.

Application forms can be obtained here or from:

Convenor
EMR Research Grants Committee
Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales
P.O. Box 20
MOSMAN NSW 2088

Criteria for Grant Selection

Each year a committee is convened to assess the EMR applications. This committee comprises academic and non-academic members of the Council of the RZS. Applications may be ranked highly if:

they deal predominately with Australasian fauna (this includes the fauna of New Zealand, New Guinea and south Pacific islands)
they have the potential to provide useful zoological information
the quality of the science is high
the project and potential outcomes are presented clearly
the methods are realistic and achievable
the work is relevant to the conservation of fauna in Australasia.

If projects are equally ranked, preference may be given to student applicants on the basis that students are less likely to obtain funding from other sources.

Applicants may be contacted by the EMR Grants Committee to supply additional information.

Notification and Payment of Grants

Notification is sent out to successful and unsuccessful applicants in early July of each year. Successful applicants will receive their first cheque with the notification (or the cheque will be forwarded to a grant administration office as required by some institutions). The initial cheque will cover all but $100 of the amount granted. A cheque for the final $100 will be forwarded on receipt of a project report (see Instructions to Applicants).

Conditions of the Grant

Details of the conditions of EMR Grants are set out in the Instructions to Applicants, which you can view here.

Points to Note

Since the EMR Grants scheme was initiated the number of applications received has steadily increased. Although the number of awards granted each year has also increased, the number of applicants often greatly exceeds the number of available grants. For this reason, your grant application should be succinct and have a definite purpose. Unnecessarily long applications do not help your cause (referees may take this to be a sign that the researcher is not concise or well organised). If you are unsure about your chances of success or whether your research is eligible, contact the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales as early as possible and before you submit an application.