Antarctic Science Foundation Announces Support Grants for 18 PhD Scholars

Media release – Antarctic Science Foundation (ASF), 4 May 2022

Antarctic Science Foundation announces support grants for 18 PhD scholars

COVID-19 has significantly impacted university students, particularly those completing a PhD but there’s much-needed support on the way for a group of PhD students in Antarctic Environmental Science.

The Antarctic Science Foundation (ASF) has announced the recipients of its 2022 Traversing the COVID Gap grants.

ASF’s supporters have enabled over $90,000 in grants to support eighteen Antarctic Science PhD students across Australia who are dealing with COVID induced financial stress.

This year’s Traversing the COVID Gap grants were enabled with a significant contribution by the Tasmanian Polar Network, a group of over 80 member businesses and institutions from across the Tasmanian Antarctic community.

“The commitment to support this round of Traversing the COVID Gap grants recognises the local, symbiotic role of the Tas Polar Network as an enabler of Antarctic research. TPN is proud to support the next generation of Antarctic researchers in this way,” says Richard Fader, Chair of the Tasmanian Polar Network.

CEO Antarctic Science Foundation, Andrew Kelly, said the grants are awarded to researchers who have demonstrated hardship, academic excellence and whose work is building our understanding of Antarctica.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has crippled the Australian university sector, and PhD students in particular found themselves in a difficult financial position through no fault of their own. That’s why the ASF took the decision to step in and support the scholars authoring the next crucial chapters of our knowledge in Antarctic science.”

“Antarctica is humanity’s greatest library, but we’ve only read a few of its books. When looking toward our future, a vital guide can be found in our Antarctic past. The early-career researchers are helping us unlock valuable solutions to wildlife conservation, climate crisis and other critical issues facing our planet” said Andrew.

“We are so delighted to announce the recipients of our 2022 Traversing the COVID Gap grants. From baleen whale abundance in the Southern Ocean, krill fishing grounds, and the population trends of crested penguins, these researchers are doing a range of critical science projects to understand climate change and develop the strategies we need to enact over the next few years.”

“Supporters of the Antarctic Science Foundation find purpose when they arm scientists with the resources needed to understand how changes in Antarctica affect our planet and all species. ASF supporters understand that deciphering the secrets of Antarctica starts with support of this next generation of Australian scientific talent.”

“We thank our supporters and congratulate each of our 2022 Traversing the COVID Gap grant recipients and we look forward to championing their brilliant research within the wider Australian and global Antarctic community,” adds Andrew Kelly.

The ASF funds people and projects to do great science. The catalytic outcomes of this work address three key concerns:

• the conservation of vulnerable Antarctic wildlife.
• understanding the health of the Southern Ocean to drive sustainability and food security.
• analysing Antarctica to predict global climate events accurately.