The Astronomical Association of Queensland (AAQ) is pleased to announce that an amount from the Edward Corbould Research Fund (ECRF) will be available to fund astronomical research by Australian amateur astronomers and postgraduate tertiary students commencing 1 July 2012.  The Association invites applications up to the value of $10,000. Projects requiring in excess of this amount may be considered under special circumstances.

Completed applications must be received by the General Secretary no later than 28 February 2012.

The ECRF grant can be used to:

• to cover travel and accommodation costs to travel to observatories or research institutions to undertake observations or collaborative research; or
• purchase consumable items (e.g. photographic materials); or
• purchase equipment.

Travel to attend conferences will not be funded.

Equipment purchased under the ECRF grant remains the property of the AAQ. If the project is of limited duration the equipment is to be either returned to the AAQ or the applicant purchases the equipment off the AAQ at its depreciated value. Equipment is depreciated at a rate of 20% per annum after the first twelve months with the equipment written off after a 7 year period.

If, in the Research Committee's opinion, no worthy project is proposed in any year then no funds will be issued for that year.

Applicants should consult Section 8 of the AAQ constitution, which deals with terms and conditions of the grants. Applicants must be Australian citizens. Successful applicants are required to join the AAQ before funds can be disbursed and must remain members during the period of the grant. The current membership fees are published in our Membership Pack. Applications for membership by successful applicants have to be tabled one month prior to acceptance by the Council of the AAQ. Successful applicants who are not already AAQ members, will be advised in time so that they may make membership applications prior to the May 2012 Council Meeting for subsequent election to membership at the June 2012 Ordinary General Meeting. Successful applicants must remain a member of the AAQ and submit reports in the AAQ Annual Proceedings over the life of the project up to a maximum of 7 years.

Applications are now invited from amateur astronomers and postgraduate students at tertiary educational institutions. The deadline for receipt of applications by the General Secretary (who will acknowledge them) is 28 February 2012. One signed copy of the application must be lodged together with one electronic version. Sufficient biographical and project information must be provided to allow the Research Committee to determine if the recipient is capable of achieving the project’s aims and the project is scientifically worthwhile. If applicants are requesting more than one item of equipment or consumables, a list of priorities showing which items are essential and which could be left to a subsequent year, must be provided.

ECRF grant awards will be approved by the Council of the AAQ and announced at the June 2012 Ordinary General Meeting of the AAQ. Successful applicants will be notified by mail and funds will be disbursed by the AAQ Treasurer in July 2012.

Please use the ECRF Application form 2012 (158 kB) for making an ECRF Grant submission.

Contact the General Secretary for further details or enquiries.