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ABRS 50^th Anniversary Awards for Excellence

Nominations are now open for the ABRS 50^th Anniversary Awards for Excellence to recognise significant contributions by individuals to the field of taxonomy and systematics of Australian biodiversity. These awards, and the work of awardees, also promote the value and importance of the understanding of biodiversity to society.

The prizes for each category will be a medal to acknowledge achievements and contribution to understanding Australian biodiversity.

Early Career Research Excellence in Taxonomy Award

This award recognises the outstanding contribution to taxonomy and systematics of Australian biodiversity within an early career time frame. This award is open to researchers eight years or less post-qualification (i.e. Bachelor, Honours, Masters or PhD degrees must have been conferred no later than the calendar year of 2015, and will be taken to be the most recent award conferred).

Mid Career Research Excellence in Taxonomy Award

This award recognises the outstanding contribution to research in taxonomy and systematics of Australian biodiversity, and their increasing service to the field of taxonomy and systematics in Australia (e.g. via supervision, capacity-building, etc.), in a mid-career timeframe. This award is open to researchers who are 9–15 years post-qualification (i.e. degrees must have been conferred between 2008 to 2014, inclusive of calendar year).

Distinguished Career in Taxonomy and Systematics Award

This award recognises the outstanding, sustained level of achievement to taxonomy and systematics in Australia through research on Australian biodiversity, building capacity by mentoring students and Early Career Researchers, advocating for taxonomy and other professional achievements. Anyone is welcome to apply for this award, although it is designed to recognise a sustained track record of excellence in the field of taxonomy and systematics.

Eligibility

Applications are open to any individuals who have made one or more significant contributions to the field of taxonomy and systematics in Australia as per the categories above. Previous National Taxonomy Research Grant Program recipients are welcome to apply. We will consider a range of relevant career interruptions for the time limit for Early and Mid Career awards (e.g. caring for family members, time spent working your main employment in a non-taxonomic context, etc.).

Contact ABRS@dcceew.gov.au for more information regarding acceptable career interruptions.

Applications

Applicants must complete the application form below and address the following selection criteria (including any relevant career interruptions):

• Applications details (name, phone number, email, position and institution)
• A written response outlining the nominee’s key contribution and achievements for the relevant career award, including:
  • research outputs including the significance and benefits of your work to science;
  • strategy, leadership and mentoring; and
  • any other relevant information (e.g. communication and outreach).
• Confirmation of most recent degree awarded (for Early and Mid Career categories), and a short explanation of any relevant career interruption (if required).
• A short CV not including publications (Early Career – two pages; Mid Career – four pages; Distinguished Career – six pages).
• A list of relevant publications.