GRANTS & PRIZES
ESSA YOUNG ENTOMOLOGISTS’ ESSAY PRIZE
As part of its aim to promote all aspects of entomology, the Entomological Society of Southern Africa (ESSA) initiated the Young Entomologists’ Essay Prize in 2014. The prize is to encourage discussion and critical evaluation of entomological issues relevant to Southern Africa by upcoming amateur and professional entomologists.
In each year that the prize is made available, an essay topic on a current issue facing the entomological profession in southern Africa will be set. Essays should be original and thought provoking. Reference to published sources of information should be kept to a minimum but are necessary when claiming a fact or providing evidence and examples. The essays must be written in English and should be between 1000-1250 words in length. Numbered referencing should be used for in-text citations. A list of cited references should be included but does not contribute to the word limit.
Entrants for the ESSA Young Entomologists’ Essay Prize must satisfy ALL of the following criteria. Entrants must be:
1. Paid-up student or ordinary members of the ESSA.
2. Residents, or registered as a student or postdoctoral associate/fellow, in a country within the Southern African Development Community (SADC; i.e., Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe).
3. Thirty-five (35) years of age or younger on the closing date for entries.
Entries will be assessed by the ESSA Executive Committee, who may also call upon other members of the ESSA to contribute to the assessment. Assessment will be based on the following criteria:
1. Comprehension of the topic
2. Clear placement of the argument within the context of Southern Africa
3. Originality of ideas
Persuasiveness and coherency of the argument
1. Appropriate and effective use of facts, evidence or examples
2. Grammar and spelling
The winning entrant will receive a certificate and be awarded a cash prize of R2000. The winning essay will be featured in Rostrum, the newsletter of the ESSA. Readers of Rostrum will be invited to respond to the essay in the following issue.
Only one prize will be made in each year that it is available.
It is understood that the winning entry contains the views and opinions of the winning entrant. These views and opinions will not necessarily reflect those of the ESSA.
The topic for 2023 is: “Human activity and what it means for your insect”. In this essay, we encourage people to describe their typical day-to-day activities as an entomologist in a manner that would interest the broader entomological community. Entries close on 1 December 2023.
ENTRY SUBMISSION
Submit entries to the Rostrum editor, Dr Shune Oliver, by email: shuneo@nicd.co.za
ROSTRUM PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
This is the first announcement of the 2024 photographic competition. Entrants will be displayed at this year’s ESSA congress, but entries will still be open until 1 December 2023.
The theme of this year’s competition is “the secret world around me”.
Entries are to be sent to Shüné Oliver (shuneo@nicd.ac.za), and the entries will be judged by the Rostrum editorial committee as well as the ESSA executive committee and ESSA members.
Four overall winners will be chosen, and each will be featured on a Rostrum cover. Each winner will receive a cash prize of R1000.
Winners may not enter subsequent photographs, but other entrants may enter as many times as they like. Entrants must be paid members of the ESSA.
By entering this competition, photographers automatically give permission to the ESSA to use their images in Rostrum, Neither the ESSA, nor Rostrum will use the image for financial gain and the image remains the property of the photographer.
Please include your full name and organisational affiliation within the email body. A brief description of the subject matter of the image(s) should also be supplied, including insect identity where possible, to explain how they address the competition theme.
Please save each submitted entry as follows: First name Surname_photo name, e.g., Jane Smith_honey bee1.jpeg
Some inspiration:
https://www.exposureguide.com/insect-photography-tips/
https://digital-photography-school.com/get-stunning-macro-photos-mobile-phone/
https://ctsp.co.za/smartphone-macro-shots-pro-tips/
ESSA YOUNG ENTOMOLOGISTS’ TRAVEL GRANTS
As part of its aim to promote all aspects of entomology, the Entomological Society of Southern Africa (ESSA) initiated the Young Entomologists’ Travel Grants scheme in 2018. The grants support young ESSA members from southern Africa to (i) present research results at international scientific meetings or workshops with entomological relevance, or (ii) gain valuable entomological skills and experience by visiting an international research group. This includes support for knowledge exchange between countries within the Southern African Development Community. By doing so, the ESSA hopes to support the development of professional entomologists and to broaden the range of skills and global relevance of research undertaken in southern Africa.
Each year, a number of ESSA Young Entomologists’ Travel Grants, each to the value of up to R25,000, may be awarded.
ELIGIBILITY AND CONDITIONS
To be eligible for an ESSA Young Entomologists’ Travel Grant, applicants must satisfy ALL of the following criteria:
• Paid student or ordinary member of the ESSA for a minimum of two consecutive years.
• Resident and/or registered as a student or postdoctoral researcher in a country within the Southern African Development Community (SADC; i.e., Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe).
• Thirty-five (35) years of age or younger or, if older than 35, within five years of completing a PhD on the closing date for entries.
• Accepted to present an oral presentation at a conference or workshop outside of the applicant’s country of residence and/or received notification of willingness to be hosted by an international researcher.
The amount awarded will be determined based on a detailed budget provided by the applicant. Return international economy airfares and accommodation are the only allowable expenses in the budget. Conference registration fees and daily allowances must be paid by the applicant.
Applicants awarded an ESSA Young Entomologists’ Travel Grant must submit a two-page report, including appropriate documentary photographs, to the ESSA within one month of their return to their country of residence. The report will be published in Rostrum, the newsletter of the ESSA.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must complete the form attached to this notice, attach the required documents, and provide a cover letter of no more than one page explaining how receipt of an ESSA Young Entomologists’ Travel Grant will benefit their development as a professional entomologist and the discipline of entomology in southern Africa.
Applications must be received no less than two months prior to the proposed date of departure.
Submit entries to the ESSA President, Dr Chris Weldon, by email: cwweldon@zoology.up.ac.za
Download the application form here – ESSA Young Entomologists’ TRAVEL GRANTS Application form 20241016
Applications will be assessed by the ESSA Executive Committee based on the following criteria:
• Fulfilment of all eligibility criteria
• Quoted budget realistic and justified
• Quality and persuasiveness of cover letter
ENTRY CLOSING DATE
There is no closing date for applications to the ESSA Young Entomologists’ Travel Grants scheme. All applications received no less than two months before the proposed date of departure will be carefully considered in each calendar year and grants will be awarded based on the availability of funds.
