Call for proposals for 2012 Young Scientist award

Call for proposals for 2012 Young Scientist award

GBIF invites proposals from graduate students for the 2012 Young Researchers Award. This prize intends to foster innovative research and discovery in biodiversity informatics.

Two awards of €4,000 will be available to graduate students in a master’s or doctoral programme at a university in a GBIF Voting Participant or Associate Participant country.

Submitted proposals will be reviewed by the Head of Delegation of a GBIF Voting or Associate Participant country. Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisors, the GBIF national node in their country or members of the Science Committee regarding the deadline for proposal submissions at the national level. Contacts of the Heads of Delegation are available at www.gbif.org/communications/directory-of-contacts/governing-board-of-gbif/.

The deadline to receive nominations from the Heads of Delegation is 15 March 2012.

Research proposals must clearly demonstrate how data enabled by GBIF are being incorporated in the student’s work. The proposal should include a project description, a budget, literature cited, and the applicant’s curriculum vitae including contact information at the home institution.

FOR DETAILS,PLEASE REFER http://www.gbif.org/communications/news-and-events/showsingle/article/call-for-proposals-for-the-2012-young-researchers-award/

Call for Nominations for Ebbe Nielsen Prize

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR EBBE NIELSEN PRIZE

GBIF invites nominations for the 2012 Ebbe Nielsen Prize, awarded annually to a person or team who demonstrates excellence in combining biodiversity informatics and biosystematics research.

The €30,000 award is intended to allow the recipient(s) to engage in biosystematics/biodiversity informatics research outside his/her/their country of residence for a period of 3-6 months.

Nominations are due by 15 March 2012. Individuals or institutions who wish to be nominated should contact the Head of Delegation of the relevant GBIF Participant country. The list of contacts is available at http://www.gbif.org/communications/directory-of-contacts/governing-board-of-gbif/ . Nominations are submitted by the Head of Delegation of any GBIF Voting or Associate Participant.

The nomination package should include

•           a cover letter from the Head of Delegation of the nominating GBIF Participant that describes the novel and exciting nature of the results of the nominee's research;

•           a curriculum vitae for the nominee(s);

•           evidence of the nominee(s)' relevant research, such as reprints, URLs of websites, or other supporting materials;

•           up to three – and no more - supporting letters from experts in the fields of biosystematics, bioinformatics and/or biodiversity informatics;

•           a statement from the nominee(s) that describes how the Prize will be used.

Nomination packages may be sent to ENPrize@gbif.org .

The winner of the Prize will be selected by the GBIF Governing Board Science Committee, and the prize will be awarded at the GBIF Governing Board meeting to be held from 18-20 September 2012 in Norway.

The award was established by the GBIF Governing Board to honour the memory of Ebbe Schmidt Nielsen, who was an inspirational leader in the fields of biosystematics and biodiversity informatics

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://www.gbif.org/communications/news-and-events/showsingle/article/call-for-nominations-for-the-2012-ebbe-nielsen-prize/

Prof. V. S. Rao Prize for Innovation in Education

“Prof. V. S. Rao Prize for Innovation in Education”

INTRODUCTION:

The education system has witnessed dramatic changes recently. Developments both at the global and local levels challenge us to rethink on the innovation in education system. What is the role of students in this increasingly complex global process? The knowledgeable and thoughtful students who are the next generation of teachers/policy makers/leaders are the most important members of the education system. In the belief that the ideas and suggestions of the students are imperative, the “Prof.V.S. Rao Prize for Innovation in Education” essay competition has been established by the Director, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus. The prize will be awarded annually on the Foundation Day of BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus starting from 23rd March 2012.

Prof.V.S. Rao Prize for Innovation in Education: Promotes earnest thoughts among students on various ways to innovate the education process for the present and future generations Complements existing curricula and other scholastic activities Strengthens students’ research, writing, and reasoning skills

WHAT DO THE WINNERS RECEIVE?

The winners will be awarded a “Merit Certificate” and prescribed textbooks for an entire semester (On-campus students) or the book(s) of their interest (Off-campus students).

WHAT ARE THE TOPICS OF THE ESSAY?

1. Innovative teaching and learning processes

2. Disruptive technologies in education

How many prizes will be awarded?

For the year 2012, TWO prizes will be awarded, one each for the topics given.

Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Hyderabad Campus

WHO ARE ELIGIBLE? Open to all current full-time registered students of BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, including those who are in Practice School II. Students of all backgrounds and ability are encouraged to participate in the contest. How will the essay be judged? Essays will be evaluated by a jury of experts constituted by the Institute. Short-listed candidates will be required to present the essay to the jury and open audience. The presentation will supplement the overall evaluation process. From the short-listed candidates, ONE student will be selected for each topic given above. The decisions of the jury are final. The Institute reserves the right to defer the awards or to reduce the number of awards if insufficient deserving entries are received. Your essay must: be in English must pay attention to grammar, syntax and punctuation have well researched ideas and facts must present logical, practical solutions to the problem have a descriptive title have no more than 1,500 words be in font type “Arial”, font size 14 point for the Title (Bold) and 12 point for the text with 1.5 line spacing. have your complete name, and ID number

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ESSAY?

The essay as a single file in “.pdf” format, should be emailed to vsrprize@gmail.com with the subject “VSR Prize 2012” or A hard copy may be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly specifying “Prof. V.S. Rao Prize for Innovation in Education” at the Office of the Instruction Division. When is the deadline? Entries must be submitted online/in-person by 5:00 PM, 31st January 2012 Dr. P. Sankar Ganesh Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Convener, Prof. V. S. Rao Prize for Innovation in Education

FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://www.bits-hyderabad.ac.in/news/Prof.V.S.Rao%20Prize.pdf