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Fish and Wildlife Development Fund Student Research Awards

Overview

If you are a student conducting research on the management and conservation of the province's natural resources, funding is available through the FWDF.

Projects should be focused on any aspect of the management and/or conservation of Saskatchewan's plants, fish or wildlife, or their habitats.

The maximum award is $5,000 per year with a maximum of three years per degree. You are responsible for applying each year to seek continuation of the award.

The deadline for applications is December 14 each year.

Guidance

Student Award Annual Report Guidelines

This outline provides guidance to award recipients on the structure of the annual report. It should not exceed 3,000 words, excluding literature cited, and include the following sections:

  1. Title Page: Project title; indicate that it is for the FWDF student award, author and date.
  2. Introduction: Briefly outline the issue/concept that your project aims to address and why it is important to study. You may wish to include a description of how your research incorporated current theories regarding wildlife/ecosystem management, conservation, or allocation. The research problem should be clearly stated and shown how it is applicable to management of Saskatchewan's fish and wildlife resources. Indicate how you will add to previous research in your field and why your work is original and differs from others.
  3. Objectives and Hypothesis tested: Clearly state your objectives and research hypothesis.
  4. Methods: Briefly state the methods used to address your hypothesis and generate data. How will you measure your results? What type of experimental design are you using?
  5. Results and Discussion: This section is to present results from research funded by this student award, and to discuss their significance. Data should be presented in a clear and organized manner; tables and graphs may be used where necessary. Emphasize the most important results, positive or negative. Details provided should outline exactly what was accomplished, and how your results contribute to, the management of Saskatchewan's fish and wildlife resources. If you are reapplying for an award, you should explain why the work needs to be continued.
  6. Timeline: Provide anticipated completion dates for your project. This can include, for example, field collection, lab work, data analysis; anticipated course completion dates, thesis/dissertation writing and defence, and manuscript preparation.

Literature cited can be included at the end of the report. In addition, you are required to complete species occurrence forms for any rare or at-risk species included in your project. Other at-risk species encountered during you research should also be reported. A tracking list for species is attached. These forms can be found online.

If you have a large dataset, you may also create and submit your own spreadsheet as long as it contains the same information as is used in the forms.

Eligibility

Students who apply for the FWDF Student Research Award must be currently enrolled as a full-time student in a Masters or PhD program at an accredited university. Their research must focus on any aspect of the management and/or conservation of Saskatchewan's plants, fish or wildlife, or their habitats.

How To Apply

Application packages must include the following documents:

  • Completed and signed application form.
  • Curriculum Vitae – Applicants should attach their Curriculum Vitae, which should include the following sections: Previous Publications/Research Presentations (if none leave this section out); Previous Related Research/Field Experience; Other Relevant Qualifications (e.g. workshops attended, language skills, previous awards, memberships in professional societies, etc.)
  • Cover letter (maximum one page) that explains how student's research:
    • Helps the conservation of a species found in Saskatchewan;
    • Aligns with the FWDF's strategic plan; and
    • Benefits Saskatchewan public, including users of natural resources.
  • Project outline (to be submitted in the following format):
    • Project Title
    • Project Location
    • Abstract: The abstract is limited to 150 words and should include the following elements (although some may vary):
      • Hypothesis tested or problem studied: Clearly state your hypothesis or research question and explain why it is important to study (1 - 2 sentences).
      • Briefly outline important concepts that will be addressed with your research, or how your research will address current theories regarding wildlife/ecosystem management, conservation and/or allocation (1 - 2 sentences).
      • Methods: Briefly state the methods (unless new, greatly improved methods are part of your project) that you will use to address your hypothesis and generate results.
      • How will you measure your results? What type of experimental design are you using?
      • Results: If you are a new student and have not yet generated any results, supplement this with "expected results." Based on your hypothesis, what is the predicted outcome(s) of your project? If you have results, present these data in a clear and organized manner. Emphasize the most important results. Utility of Results: Explain how, when and where data or interpretations can be applied to the ministry's three management goals concerning fish and wildlife resources or contribute to our knowledge of biological sciences.
    • Outline of Proposed Research: The outline is limited to 500 words and provides a more detailed description of the project including objectives, planned approach/methods, outcomes and relevance. Cited references should be given. These do not count towards the 500 word outline.
    • Progress Report: If you have received a previous Student Award from the Ministry of Environment, you must submit a progress report before your current application will be reviewed. For details on the progress report, see Student Award Annual Report Guidelines.
    • References: Each applicant must submit two letters of reference with their application package. These letters should be in a sealed envelope signed by the referee. The primary faculty advisor should provide one reference, and both letters should focus on credentials and merits of the student that qualify them to receive this award.

Apply

Apply for Fish and Wildlife Development Student Funding

Submit your completed application to: dushantha.pathiranage@gov.sk.ca.

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