Seed Grants 2022 OPEN- Call for applications!

Two $1000 Grants available – apply now!

ACSA is excited to announce its fifth round of Seed Grants.  As a way of giving back and investing in our members we are offering grants of $1000 each to two ACSA members to seed their professional growth or their project’s growth, or assist with publication costs for an open access journal.

Applications are now open for the 2022 Seed Grants.

What’s in it for you?

  • $1000 to seed your professional development or your project’s growth, or assist with publication costs for an open access journal.
  • Exposure for your project and/or organisation.
  • Motivation to initiate something you have always wanted to do.
  • Quick and easy application process (online application form).

Last year, our two ACSA Seed Grant winners were:

Samantha Beckmann

2 Bent Rods

For a video & QR code flyers to promote the free fishing app to recreational & professional fishers to encourage them to upload photos to collect data about the size/health of fish.

Progress report…

Ema Corro

MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology

To fund training volunteers in taking herbarium specimens of fungi, use of basic laboratory equipment and in techniques related to environmental DNA and DNA sequencing.

Progress report…

Could you be next?

In 2022 we are offering two separate grants: Grant 1 is for an initiative or professional development to advance a project, and Grant 2 is for publication of a paper in an open access journal.

Grant 1 – Citizen science initiative or professional development to begin a new project or advance an existing one

For example (but not limited to):

  • Activities that encourages participation in a citizen science project; could be a workshop, an event or a school outreach program, or an app.
  • Development of a new citizen science project that aims to meet the above goals
  • Resources or training for citizen scientists participating in a project you run
  • Attendance at a relevant course or event, such as a conference.  Can include registration, accommodation, flights etc.

Grant 2 – Publication of a citizen science related paper in an open access journal to enable as many people as possible to benefit from what you have learnt.

For example (but not limited to):

  • Description of best practice citizen science methods
  • Publication of the outcomes for science and society of a citizen science project
  • A broader citizen science research project or an evaluation of a citizen science project (or projects).


Who can enter?

This grant is open to all current ACSA members.

How to apply

Complete the Seed Grants Application Form before Friday 29 July 2022 5pm AEST.

Please note, applications should be kept short to reflect the value of the grants. A maximum character limit applies to each judging criteria.

Judging criteria

Applications will be judged on the applicant’s response to the following:

  1. Short description of proposed activity (maximum 200 characters).
  2. Context or background to your proposed activity (maximum 1500 characters).
  3. Detailed description of how the Seed Grant will be spent (maximum 1000 characters).
  4. In what way does your proposal address ACSA’s strategic goals of Participation and Practice (maximum 1000 characters)?
  5. Describe the expected outcomes and benefits of your proposed activity (maximum 500 characters).
  6. Brief timeline for the delivery of your proposed activity (maximum 500 characters).

Key dates

Entries must be received by Friday 29 July 2022 5pm AEST.

The recipients of the Seed Grants will be contacted by email or phone by 27 August 2022, and the winning entrants will be subsequently published on the ACSA website by 31 August 2022.  

Terms and conditions

  • The grant is open to current ACSA members only.
  • The activity outlined application must be able to be completed within the year following the awarding of the Seed Grant.
  • The Seed Grants are two (2) grants of $1000 each. Grant 1 will be awarded for an initiative or professional development, and Grant 2 for open access paper publication. However, if insufficient applications of adequate quality are received for either category, ACSA reserves the right to award 2 in one category only.
  • Recipients will be asked to provide photos and a blog outlining how they intend to use the Seed Grants, for publication on the ACSA website. Additional information may be required for a year following the awarding of the Seed Grant.
  • Information provided by the recipients may be used by ACSA for promotional/publicity purposes. This may include, and is not restricted to, the information being used on websites, social media, printed material, press releases etc.
  • Personal information provided to ACSA can be used by ACSA, however such use will only be in connection with the Seed Grants.
  • The deliberations of the judging panel remain confidential. All recommendations and decisions taken are binding and final and no correspondence will be entered into on such matters.
  • The judges reserve the right not to award the grants if, in their view, the quality of entries is insufficiently meritorious.
  • No entries will be received or considered after the close of entries.
  • Failure to meet all conditions of entry will automatically disqualify an entry.

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