Announcement: April 2011

2011 BayerBoost Applications process now open:

Five BayerBoost scholarships will be awarded in 2011. Three of these scholarships will be specifically for undergraduate students and two will be for Yr13 secondary school students. Applications need to be received by 30 September 2011

One of the scholarships for Yr13 students will be named the Jessie Lineham BayerBoost Memorial Scholarship.

Jessie Lineham was tragically involved in car accident that took her life in October 2010. She was just a few months off from her 21st birthday but had certainly achieved so much for someone so young. Jessie was successful in gaining a BayerBoost Scholarship in 2007 at the end of her Yr12 year at James Hargest College, Invercargill. She was hosted by Environment Southland and undertook research investigating the effects of riparian planting on a stream running through farmland.

Jessie was also involved in many other Royal Society programmes including participating and winning awards at two National Science & Technology Fairs and winning the Premier Award at Realise the Dream (an event which recognises excellence in science and technological research) in 2006. She gained her Gold CREST which was presented to her at the Science Honours Dinner in 2008. While she was studying at Otago University she was invited by the Royal Society of New Zealand to be a student mentor at Realise the Dream and had performed this task admirably over the last three years. She is sadly missed by many but in her memory and as a tribute to Jessie, Bayer and the Royal Society of New Zealand have named one of the the BayerBoost Scholarships the Jessie Lineham BayerBoost Memorial Scholarship. This is specifically for a Yr13 student.

Bayer scholarships boost student research

Six New Zealand students with dreams of pursuing careers in environmental research have been given the chance to do exactly that, with the help of a BayerBoost scholarship grant.

The secondary school and tertiary students from Christchurch, Lincoln, Auckland, Whakatane and Wellington have each been granted financial assistance to undertake projects in their area of interest, under the guidance of a nominated host organisation.

The scholarship scheme, which is funded by Bayer New Zealand Ltd and administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand, provides students with the opportunity to be involved in hands-on research, and to contribute towards the sustainability of New Zealand’s ecology.

Over summer, the selected students will work on a range of environmental research projects including:

• Studying acoustic and reproductive behaviour of the rare little spotted kiwi
• Researching and monitoring of toxic algae in North Island rivers
• Investigating more humane and safer pest control methods
• Monitoring endangered Australasian Crested Grebes on the Ashburton Lakes
• Surveying areas on eastern Banks Peninsula for rare or interesting invertebrates, plants and bats
• Analysis of soil in Northland to determine the relationship between carbon content and water holding capacity.

This year’s successful students will receive between $5000 and $6,000 in grants, depending on their level of study.

Bayer spokesperson William Malpass says that as a research-based global company with a focus on sustainability, Bayer is keen to support initiatives that contribute to preserving and safeguarding the environment for future generations.

“It’s exciting to see so many young New Zealanders dedicated to making improvements in our environment and protecting our natural resources.

“These young people are pushing the boundaries of what so many of us take for granted and they should be heralded for their passion and commitment. We are very much looking forward to the results from each of their projects,” he says.

Through the partnership with the Royal Society, Bayer is in its third year of contributing $120,000 over three years to the BayerBoost scholarship scheme.

To be eligible for a BayerBoost scholarship, students must be under the age of 24, enrolled in a New Zealand senior secondary school or undergraduate tertiary programme, and studying environmental sciences or related areas.

Time for students to apply for BayerBoost environmental scholarships
12 August 2010

• $40,000 to be allocated in 2010

New Zealand senior secondary and tertiary level students have until the end of September to get their applications in for the 2010 BayerBoost environmental scholarships.

The scholarship scheme is funded by Bayer New Zealand Ltd and administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand.

It aims to provide financial assistance to students undertaking environmental research projects during their summer break.

“We want to encourage students with a passion for the environment to participate in summer work programmes that will support their future careers,” said Bayer New Zealand Corporate Communications Manager William Malpass.

“BayerBoost enables students to do this through working with accredited organisations involved in environmental research or restoration.
“Previous scholarship winners have participated in research that has proved invaluable to helping restore or protect our environment. Bayer is keen to keep this momentum going, especially as the environment becomes an increasingly important global issue.”
Over the five years the scheme has been running, scholarship winners have been involved in a variety of projects, from preservation of waterways and studying causes of whale strandings to stopping the spread of didymo and helping save endangered native wildlife.

As well as obtaining funding, scholarship recipients receive guidance from a host organisation to carry out their environmental study.

To be eligible for a BayerBoost scholarship, students must be under the age of 24, enrolled in a New Zealand senior secondary school or undergraduate tertiary programme, and studying environmental sciences or related areas.
Six scholarships ranging between $3000 and $6000 were awarded in 2009. The deadline for students to get their 2010 BayerBoost applications in is Thursday, September 30.

More information about BayerBoost is available or by contacting the Royal Society on 04-470 5762 and asking for Debbie Woodhall.