Grants

MSc Scholarships: SANParks – Apply Now!

MSc Scholarships Available for Research to support
Climate Change Adaptation in South African National Parks

SANParks is pleased to announce the availability of MSc grants for student research on addressing climate change impacts in South African National Parks. This should focus on conservation of biodiversity, cultural heritage, and/or the services they provide to people. Research should have significant scientific value and produce results that are directly relevant to management of one or more of South Africa’s national parks and/or marine protected areas.

Topics could include:

• Identifying impacts• Assessing vulnerability• Identifying management interventions• Building human resilience• Monitoring intervention effectiveness• Enhancing carbon sequestrationSuccessful MSc candidates may be carrying out either research or course-work degrees. An amount of R130 000 is available for two years or one year of study respectively. Discretionary operational grants of up to R20 000 are available.

This opportunity is provided through a collaboration between SANParks and the United States National Park Service, supported by the US Embassy, and includes potential for students to liaise with and learn from US researchers. Students must be registered at a South African university and projects completed by December 2024. Working with one or more SANParks scientist is encouraged. See https://www.sanparks.org/scientific-services/ for details of SANParks’ conservation research.

Proposals are due by 20th May 2023 and must be submitted in the template format below, along with a brief (max 2-page) CV of the proposing/proposed student. These should be emailed to SANParks’ Climate Change Scientists addo elephant agulhas lAi-lAis / richtersveld augrabies bontebok camdeboo garden route golden gate highlands groenkloof karoo kgalakgadi transfrontier kruger
mapungubwe marakele mokala mountain zebra namaqua table mountain tankwa karoo west coast
[email protected] and [email protected].
Proposers may also submit informal enquiries before planning a full proposal.

SANParks’ Research Selection Committee will consider the following when evaluating proposals:

  1. Does the proposal have sufficient novelty and scientific merit?
  2. Are the scope and ambition of the project realistic?
  3. Is the proposed methodology suitable?
  4. Does the applicant have the support of a suitable supervisor(s)?
  5. Are operational funding requirements reasonable and justifiable?
  6. Is there a clear list of expected outcomes?

South African National Parks’
Climate Change Adaptation MSc Scholarship Application

Send your application to [email protected] and
[email protected] by midnight on the 20th May 2023. Please include a brief CV (max 2 pages).

Name and contact details

Why: what issue does your project address? How will this help SANParks to improve management actions? (Max 300 words)

What: In what way will your project help to address the issue (outcomes) and what products will it deliver (outputs)? (Max 300 words)

How: what actions and methods will you use to achieve this? (Max 400 words)

When: please describe project timeframes, including start and end dates (Max 200 words)

Who: why are you a good person to carry out this work? (Max 200 words)

Your research institution and intended supervisor(s)

SANParks Scientific Services staff you wish to work with (optional)

Do you require funding to cover your project actions? If so, please justify this and provide a budget (Max 200 words)

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