2023 Lake Eyre Basin Justin Costelloe Scholarship

In 2018 the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum agreed to establish the Lake Eyre Basin Justin Costelloe Scholarship Grant Program in honour of Dr Justin Costelloe and his significant contribution to the Lake Eyre Basin community. Dr Costelloe was a Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Infrastructure Engineering at the University of Melbourne and was an appointed member of the Lake Eyre Basin Scientific Advisory Panel. Dr Costelloe provided expert hydrological and ecological advice to matters relating to the condition of the Lake Eyre Basin rivers.

Aim The Lake Eyre Basin Justin Costelloe Scholarship is aimed at encouraging and promoting research and monitoring to improve understanding and support informed decision making in relation to the Lake Eyre Basin. The Scholarship focuses on the development of future scientists and helps to foster links between academia, the wider community and governments in relation to the Lake Eyre Basin.

Selection criteria:

The Scholarship supports students completing their research in a field relevant to the Lake Eyre Basin and is jointly funded by the Australian, Queensland, South Australian and Northern Territory governments. The scholarship supports one applicant at any one time with an annual grant of $20,000 (plus GST), paid to the grant recipient. Funding for the Scholarship is available for twelve (12) months from the execution of the Grant Agreement with the Grant Recipient. To access support for more than one year an applicant must re-apply for a future grant round.

Eligible applicants must be:

• a post-graduate or honours student enrolled in an Australian tertiary institution, such as a university
• An Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia (proof is to be provided) by the closing date of each year of funding.
• Over 18 years of age.

The scholarship is available to support new or continuing students to undertake research, which:

• contributes to the water-related knowledge of the Lake Eyre Basin, and
• focuses on matter relating to the hydrological, ecological, social or cultural features or circumstances of the basin.

Research can include activities outside the Lake Eyre Basin, although the primary focus must lie within the Basin.