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NEWSLETTER

24th July 2015

Research Funding Opportunities

Talks and Events (Internal)

Talks and Events (External)

Research Papers

Research News

Other News

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Research Funding Opportunities

SHEAR research consortia grants 2015
Natural Environment Research Council
These aim to support improved disaster resilience and humanitarian response by advancing monitoring, assessment and prediction of natural hazards and risks across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia in order to reduce the impacts of disasters. Grants are worth up to £2 million per consortium for a duration of four years. The total budget is £8m. Closing date: 01 Sep 2015

Field equipment grant
British Society of Soil Science
This grant is designed to enable institutions to buy field equipment to aid in the instruction and understanding of soil science. Grants are worth up to £1,000. Closing date: 01 Sep 15  

Sustainable future programme grants
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
These support projects on developing and promoting sustainable, low-carbon alternatives to the current consumerist and growth-based paradigm. The grants have a nominal average value of £50,000, but in actuality grants may range from a few hundred pounds to £100,000 and last up to three years. Closing date: 01 Sep 15 

Understanding and sustaining Brazilian biome resources
Natural Environment Research Council
This aims to improve the understanding of the role of biodiversity in the functioning of ecosystems, the drivers and impact of change, and management and restorations options in Brazil. NERC will provide up to £2 million at 80 per cent full economic cost for UK-based researchers with FAPESP providing matched equivalent effort to Brazilian researchers Closing date: 02 Sep 15  

Action on maritime spatial planning in the northern European Atlantic
Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
This call aims to stimulate the development of a cross-border, ecosystem-based approach towards maritime spatial planning among EU member states in the northern Atlantic region. One grant, worth up to €2.6 million at an EU co-financing rate of 80 per cent, is available over a period of two years. The action is expected to start by 1 December 2015. Closing date: 10 Sep 15  

LIFE – traditional projects on climate change mitigation
Directorate-General for the Environment
Funding supports best-practice, demonstration or pilot projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and to the implementation and development of Union policy and legislation on climate change resilience. The LIFE programme budget is approximately €3.46 billion. Each project may request up to 75 per cent of eligible costs. Closing date: 15 Sep 15  

Pilot on-farm projects to test result-based remuneration schemes for the enhancement of biodiversity
Directorate-General for the Environment
Funding supports projects that aim to test result-based agri-environmental payment schemes on working farms as a contribution to stop the widespread degradation of agro-ecosystems, particularly grasslands. The budget is estimated at €500,000 to fund one or two proposals at a maximum EU co-financing rate of 70 per cent of total eligible costs. Closing date: 15 Sep 15  

LIFE – traditional projects on climate change adaptation
Directorate-General for the Environment
Funding supports best-practice, demonstration or pilot projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and to the implementation and development of Union policy and legislation on climate change adaptation. The programme budget is approximately €3.46 billion. Each project may request up to 75 per cent of eligible costs. Closing date: 15 Sep 15  

LIFE – traditional projects on climate governance and information
Directorate-General for the Environment
Funding supports information, awareness and dissemination projects on climate matters, including generating public and stakeholder support of EU policy-making within the climate field and promoting knowledge on sustainable development. The LIFE programme budget is approximately €3.46 billion. Each project may request up to 75 per cent of eligible costs. There is no limit on project length, but most projects last from two to five years. Closing date: 15 Sep 15  

Mid-career fellowships
British Academy
These allow successful applicants to obtain time freed from normal teaching and administrative commitments to devote to the completion of a major piece of research within the humanities and social sciences. It is expected that 35 fellowships, worth £160,000 each, will be available. The British Academy’s contribution should represent 80 per cent of full economic costs for projects costing up to £200,000. Closing date: 17 Sep 15 (Forecast) 

Eurogia2020 call for projects
EUREKA
Funding supports multidisciplinary, innovative research and development projects on energy technologies that will reduce the carbon footprint of energy production, improve energy efficiency and that develop solar, wind, biomass or geothermal technologies. Funding is granted via EUREKA countries' national programmes. Closing date: 18 Sep 15 

Primate research grants
Primate Conservation
These provide support for original research that can be used to formulate and to implement conservation plans for the species studied. Funding of approximately US$2,500 is provided on average, with a maximum grant of US$5,000. Closing date: 20 Sep 15 

Collaborative awards in science
Wellcome Trust
These support groups of independent researchers pursuing problems across the areas of science, medical humanities, society and ethics, and innovation. Awards are normally worth up to £4 million over a period of up to five years. Closing date: 21 Sep 15 

Cultural heritage and rapid urbanisation in India
Arts and Humanities Research Council
This enables UK researchers and their Indian partners to build networks and partnerships that explore and develop key issues addressing the theme of cultural heritage and rapid urbanisation in India. Four to five awards are expected to be granted. Awards for UK partners cover 80 per cent of the project’s full economic cost and are worth between £24,000 and £36,000. Matched resources are available for Indian partners. Closing date: 22 Sep 15 

Mushrooms crop sector panel funding
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
This scheme aims to build a programme of applied research and knowledge transfer work intended to enable British growers of mushrooms to increase their efficiency, productivity, profitability, competitiveness, resilience, output and value. Closing date: 26 Sep 15  

Protected edibles crop sector panel funding
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
This scheme aims to build a programme of applied research and knowledge transfer work intended to enable British growers of protected edibles to increase their efficiency, productivity, profitability, competitiveness, resilience, output and value. Closing date: 26 Sep 15  

Birdfair/RSPB research fund for endangered birds
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
These enable researchers to undertake key projects on birds listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as endangered, critically endangered or data-deficient. Grants of up to US$2,000 are available. Closing date: 30 Sep 15 (Forecast) 

LIFE – traditional projects on environment and resource efficiency
Directorate-General for the Environment
This supports pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to environment and resource efficiency in the fields of water, waste, resource efficiency, environment and health, and air quality and emissions. The overall budget for traditional projects under the environment sub-programme is approximately €184 million and projects may request up to 75 per cent of eligible costs. Closing date: 01 Oct 15  

LIFE – traditional projects on environmental governance and information
Directorate-General for the Environment
Funding supports information, awareness and dissemination projects that contribute to the development and implementation of EU environmental policy and legislation. The LIFE programme budget is approximately €3.46 billion, and the total budget for traditional projects under the environment sub-programme is approximately €184m. Each project may request up to 75 per cent of eligible costs. Closing date: 07 Oct 15  

LIFE – traditional projects on nature and biodiversity
Directorate-General for the Environment
This supports pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the development and implementation of EU policy and legislation in the area of nature and biodiversity. The overall budget for traditional projects under the environment sub-programme is approximately €184 million and projects may request up to 75 per cent of eligible costs. Closing date: 07 Oct 15  

UK mammals grants
People’s Trust for Endangered Species
These grants support work relating to the conservation of mammals in the British Isles and Eire. Grants are worth between £250 and £30,000, although the average amount granted to date has been about £9,000. Closing date: 13 Oct 15  

Green infrastructure innovation projects call
Natural Environment Research Council
This aims to increase and accelerate the impact of research output by supporting translational and knowledge exchange activity which delivers direct tangible and demonstrable benefits to end users, particularly local policymakers and businesses such as planners, landscape architects and other consultancies to support the development of green infrastructures. Up to £125,000, or £100,000 at 80% full economic costs, may be requested over a maximum of two years. Closing date: 22 Oct 15 

Man and biosphere young scientists awards
UNESCO
These support young scientists conducting interdisciplinary research on ecosystems, natural resources and biodiversity.  Ten awards, worth a maximum of US$5,000 each, are available. Closing date: 31 Oct 15  

Small grants Estuarine Coastal Sciences Association
These grants enable students to attend academic conferences, travel for research purposes, visit libraries or other collections of research materials, visit laboratories or conduct fieldwork. Grants are worth up to £500 each. Closing date: 01 Nov 15 

All-discipline postgraduate student awardsFulbright Commission
These support UK citizens with the first year of their postgraduate study, doctoral study, visiting student research or special student research in any subject and at any accredited US university. Approximately 10 awards are available for a one-year period. Closing date: 06 Nov 15 

Fulbright/Elsevier data analytics award
Fulbright Commission
This is offered to a UK citizen for the first year of their postgraduate study in any field requiring data analysis to advance understanding of research in any field or across fields.One award is available for a period of one year.Closing date:06 Nov 15 

Research fellowships
Leverhulme Trust
These enable experienced researchers to conduct a programme of research in any discipline. Fellowships are worth up to £50,000 each for a period between three and 24 months. Funding covers research expenses, and a contribution towards replacement costs or loss of earnings.Closing date: 12 Nov 15 

Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases
National Science Foundation
The programme supports research on the ecological, evolutionary, and socio-ecological principles and processes that influence the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. The budget for this call is US$11 million and up to eight grants, each worth up to US$2.5m over five years, may be funded. The BBSRC will contribute up to £2m. Closing date: 18 Nov 15 

Prize essay competition
Agricultural Economics Society
This recognises a suitable essay on any aspect of agricultural economics.The prize is worth £1,000. Closing date: 30 Nov 15 

Grants in herpetology
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
This program is intended to provide financial support for deserving individuals or organizations involved in herpetological research, education or conservation. Closing date: 15 Dec 15 (Forecast)  

Small conservation awards
Oriental Bird Club
These support projects involving threatened bird species and their habitats, and those aiming to raise conservation awareness. Funding is worth up to £1,500 for projects lasting 12 to 18 months. Closing date: 15 Dec 15  

Young scientist research award 
Commonwealth Forestry Association
This supports students undertaking forest-related research in pursuit of an academic qualification. The award is worth up to £500. Closing date: 31 Dec 15 

Grants in 2016

Project grants
Conservation, Food and Health Foundation
These support non-profit, non-governmental organisations to build capacity within the developing countries in the fields of conservation, food, and health. The average award amount is US$17,000 and grants rarely exceed US$25,000. Closing date: 01 Jan 16  

Study abroad studentships
Leverhulme Trust
These support an extended period of advanced study or research at a centre of learning overseas, excluding the US.
Studentships comprise £18,000 per year for basic maintenance costs, a dependent partner allowance of £6,000, return airfare and baggage allowance. They support periods between 12 and 24 months. Closing date: 11 Jan 16  

Small research grants
Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers)
Grants are awarded as either RGS-IBG small research grants, the 20th International Geographical Congress Fund award or the Jasmin Leila award. Funds can be used for travel, maintenance, data collection and temporary research assistance. Awards are worth between £250 and £3,000. Closing date: 18 Jan 16  

Standard research grants 
Natural Environment Research Council
This is an open competition for curiosity-motivated basic, strategic or applied research. Grants are worth between £65,000 and £800,000 at 100 per cent full economic cost. Closing date: 21 Jan 16 (Forecast) 

Large grants
Natural Environment Research Council
These support adventurous, large-scale and complex research projects tackling big science questions that cannot be addressed through other funding opportunities. Grants are worth between £1.2 million and £3.7m each, for a duration of up to five years.  Closing date: 10 Mar 16 (Forecast) 

Junior professorship for sustainable use of renewable natural resources 
Robert Bosch Stiftung
The professorship seeks to support a young outstanding scientist and to contribute to a better standing of the emerging field of sustainability science in Germany. Up to €1 million is available for independent research over five years at a German research institution or university. Closing date: 18 May 16 (Forecast)

Coming Soon

Student research scholarships
Bat Conservation International
Bat Conservation International will shortly be inviting applications for its student research scholarships. Closing date information has not been confirmed, but the call is expected to open in January 2015. The following information is subject to change. These enable students to conduct research on conserving bats and the ecosystems they serve worldwide. Scholarships are worth up to US$5,000 each. Closing date: 15 Dec 15 (Forecast) 

Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) initiative: open data research and capacity-building 
Department for International Development
The Department for International Development will shortly be inviting tenders for its Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) initiative: open data research and capacity-building. The tender is expected to open for applications  The provided deadline of 13 May 2016 is not final and the confirmed closing date will be announced soon. The following call details are subject to change. The tenderer must deliver a suite of agricultural and nutritional open data research and capacity-building activities under the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) initiative. The contract is expected to start in December 2015 and last for a period of 48 months. 

European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability grant (EIP-Agri)
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, in collaboration with the Rural Payments Agency and the Rural Development Programme for England Network, will shortly be inviting applications for the EIP-Agri grants, under the countryside productivity scheme. Applications are expected to be invited in summer 2015, however applicants may already now submit idea outlines. The following information is subject to change. These grants support projects which link research, farming and forestry practice to encourage innovation and improve productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector. Grants are worth between £5,000 and £150,000 for up to three years. 

Resilience of the UK food systems in a global context
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and four other funders, under their global food security programme, will soon be inviting applications for their call on resilience of the UK food systems in a global context. This is expected to be launched in September 2015. The following information is subject to change. Funding supports interdisciplinary projects addressing key themes related to the resilience of the UK food systems in a global context. The total budget is worth up to £7 million and approximately four to six projects will be funded.

Talks and Events
Internal

Blooming algae: a nuisance or something useful?
Professor Alison Smith, Head of the Plant Metabolism Group at the Department of Plant Sciences explores the potential of algae for sustainable biofuels. Sunday 26th July, 11am

Translational Funders Day
For those interested in hearing more about opportunities in plant sciences, agriculture, animal health and conservation.
30th July, 9.30am t 2pm, Sainsbury Lab

Leadership Programme for Sustainable Development in the Health and Care Sector
28th-29th September 2015, Cambridge, UK

Whipple Museum
Department of History and Philosophy of Science
Summer at the Museums:

All about that fungus
3rd August 11.00-13.00 and 17th August 14.00-16.00 Join us for a fun-gal experience at the Whipple Museum! Take a close look at the fungi models made by one of Cambridge's famous fungus experts and make your own model to take home. Free and suitable for all ages. Please drop in.

Darwin Delights
10th August 11:00-13.00 and 14:00-16:00. The Museum of Zoology visits the Whipple Museum to explore Darwin's life and discoveries. Learn about the instruments he used, the specimens he collected, and make your own microscope slide to take home. Free and suitable for all ages. Please drop in.

External

Watercolour- Elements of nature
Until Sun 27 September
Fitzwilliam Museum

Niddfest: Celebrating nature in writing
24th to 26th July 2015 

Can Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) work for both people and the environment?
Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh
27th to 28th July

London’s inaugural BX2015 Behavioural Insights Conference
This cutting-edge two day event brings together the world’s leading behavioural insights experts with policy makers and
practitioners to explore how they can make better and smarter policies that matter
2nd to 3rd September

7th Annual BIOECON Conference Experimental and Behavioural Economics and the Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
13-15 September 2015, Kings College, Cambridge

The interaction of fire and mankind
Scientific discussion meeting organised by Professor Andrew Scott, Professor William Chaloner FRS, Professor Claire Belcher and Dr Chris Roos
14th to 15th September, The Royal Society, London UK 

Dialogue with the Dalai Lama: Growing Wisdom, Changing People
The Dalai Lama has accepted an invitation from Rowan Williams to participate in an open dialogue in Cambridge 16 and 17 September 2015. The overall theme is Universal Responsibility. The focus of this two-day event will on genuine dialogue. We will create a space where young people and leading thinkers and practitioners can explore in conversation with Lord Williams and His Holiness the concept of Universal Responsibility and what it can mean for the world. Topics of conversation will be drawn from the questions, ideas and concerns of the younger participants. Our vision is to help empower a rising generation of young people with a sense of the extraordinary possibilities of dialogue.

Conference | Economics of innovation, diffusion, growth and the environment
The conference will cover a wide range of topics in the area of the economics of growth, development and technological change, including but not limited to: innovation in clean technologies (including fiscal and regulatory incentives for clean technology development), technology diffusion (including the role of intellectual property rights), growth and environmental policy, technology agreements and global environmental policy. The conference will be will be of interest to both researchers and policy makers working on issues related to the areas of the economics of innovation, growth and the environment.
16 September  - 18 September, 2015, Royal Society of Arts, London

CCF Summer Symposium 
CCF's 2015 Summer Symposium is now to be held on Monday 21st September so we can hold it in the usual venue, the Cambridge Judge Business School. The Symposium will still have the theme 'People and Nature'.

Sustainable Development Policy & Practice Global Events

Working Group Meeting of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC)
Paris, Ile-De-France, France 8 Sep - 9 Sep

International Day for South-South Cooperation 2015
worldwide 12 Sep

CBD AHTEG on Indicators for the Strategic Plan on Biodiversity
Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland 14 Sep - 17 Sep

Opening of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 70)
New York City, US 15 Sep

Address by His Holiness Pope Francis to UN General Assembly
New York City, US 25 Sep

UN Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda
New York City, US 25 Sep - 27 Sep

Research Papers

Cambridge

Open Access Book
What works in Conservation 2015

Papers

Redesigning photosynthesis to sustainably meet global food and bioenergy demand

When do plant radiations influence community assembly? The importance of historical contingency in the race for niche space

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) offers sustainable bioenergy production and resilience to climate change

An agenda for the future of biological recording for ecological monitoring and citizen science


International

Books

Guardians of the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest: Environmental Organizations and Development

Promoting Sustainable Living

Sustainability in Coffee Production

Resettlement Policy in Large Development Projects

Tourism in the Green Economy

Governance for Sustainability Download free

Papers 

Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat: Reviewing influence of marine litter on species

Psychological research and global climate change

SEAS-ERA: An overarching effort to coordinate marine research policies across Europe

Is biodiversity good for your health?

The Landscape of Childhood: Play and Place as Tools to Understanding Children’s Enviromental Use and Perceptions

Can we rely on forest reserves for primate conservation?

Policy and effective action for soil security: a need for reframing the soil story

Designing conservation-development policies for the forest frontier

Understanding sensory mechanisms to develop effective conservation and management tools

Food Spoilage, Storage, and Transport: Implications for a Sustainable Future

Isolated Environmental Cues and Product Efficacy Penalties: The Color Green and Eco-labels

Earth observation as a tool for tracking progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Reducing the extinction of experience: Association between urban form and recreational use of public greenspace

Translocation tactics: A framework to support the IUCN Guidelines for wildlife translocations and improve the quality of applied methods

Conservation archaeogenomics: ancient DNA and biodiversity in the Anthropocene

What are the major global threats and impacts in marine environments? Investigating the contours of a shared perception among marine scientists from the bottom-up

Source of lead pollution, its influence on public health and the countermeasures

Barriers and Perceptions of Natural Resource Careers by Minority Students

Energy Consumption and Conservation in Shipbuilding

A social–ecological systems analysis of impediments to delivery of the Aichi 2020 Targets and potentially more effective pathways to the conservation of biodiversity

Training Conservation Practitioners to be Better Decision Makers

Implementing REDD+ in view of integrated conservation and development projects: Leveraging empirical lessons

Designing Incentive Agreements For Conservation: An Innovative Approach Renaud Lapeyre (Iddri), Herlina Hartanto (Tnc), Romain Pirard (Cifor)

Conservation Science And Contemporary Art: Thinking About Tenerife

Historical ecology of riverine fish in Europe 

Research News

Why women see climate change differently

Unprecedented worldwide biodiversity study: Findings indicate both high, low productivity regions have reduced plant species diversity

Drones and driverless tractors – is this the future of farming?

New website and launch of the ‘Urban Governance Survey’ 2015 edition

Ancient woods threatened by HS2 up from 83 to 97

The Dhaka slum being transformed by women

Horizon 2020 Impact Guide published

Why tackling poverty is the key to saving Madagascar’s forests and their iconic lemurs

Rewilding isn't about nostalgia - exciting new worlds are possible

The unexpected one: A new pale nectar-feeding bat species found in brazil 


Other News

MSc Programme
The Royal Agricultural University, ranked third highest in the UK for the employability of its graduates, is still accepting applications for its two MSc degrees Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security  and International Rural Development for October 2015 entry – and also (new for this year) for a January 2016 entry. Both programmes attract applicants from all round the world and we have graduates working in over 30 countries.  You can expect to study in a multi-national community,  taught by staff with research and consultancy experience in Europe, Africa and S E Asia, supported by international experts from many leading organisations. These two programmes focus strongly on sustainable development, one majoring on agriculture and food, the other on natural resource management for rural communities. This is a 12 month programme including the research project. Unfortunately we are unable to offer any scholarships, though citizens of sub-Saharan African countries may apply for the 6 African Fellowships.

Rewiring the Economy is CISL’s ten-year plan to lay the foundations for a sustainable economy
Rewiring the Economy is CISL’s ten-year plan to lay the foundations for a sustainable economy. It is built on ten interconnected tasks, delivered by three key groups of leaders: government, finance and business. These tasks are not unique to the plan. Rather, Rewiring the Economy shows how they can be tackled co-operatively over the next decade to create an economy that encourages sustainable business practices and delivers positive outcomes for people and societies.

Call for Papers

(In)security in a global age
Call for papers held in conjunction with the Conference. Hosted by the Graduate Conference Committee of Sociology at Cambridge University, this conference investigates the wide variety of ways in which security and insecurity emerge in our contemporary lives. Submissions are welcome on any of the following panel topics, and in particular from graduate students and scholars who represent gender, race and class diversity:
•Securing a livelihood: Inequalities, class and socio-economics

•Nationalism and Borders

•Violence against women and girls: Constructing and policing gendered bodies 

•Knowledge production and expertise in an age of insecurity 

•Politics of Austerity: parties, movements and citizens

HOW TO SUBMIT:
Submissions should be: abstract (300 word max.) and biography (100 word max.)
Abstracts submission deadline: 25 July 2015
Notification of acceptance: 30 July 2015
Registration: 30 August 2015
Submissions should be sent to: conference@sociology.cam.ac.uk

FURTHER INFORMATION:
For further details regarding the call for papers or the conference please see the website at:
https://insecurityinaglobalage.wordpress.com/or please contact:  conference@sociology.cam.ac.uk

 

If you have any events or news items you would like to add to this newsletter please send by email to: uccri-administrator@conservation.cam.ac.uk

University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute
Website: research-institute.conservation.cam.ac.uk/ 
Twitter: @cambridge_uccri