Cosmos Media and Science Alert support the 2015 ASC Grants Program

After a successful first year in 2014, the Australian Science Communicators (ASC) is continuing its Annual Professional Development Grants Program and this year it is bigger and better thanks to two sponsors coming on board, Cosmos Media and Science Alert.

The program, opening today, will again provide members with an exclusive opportunity to gain support to undertake professional development in the field of science communication. This year the program is proud to announce partnerships with Cosmos Media and Science Alert who are offering exclusive member opportunities.

Cosmos Media is offering an ASC member up to $1000 to undertake professional development in the area of feature article writing.

Dr Ella Finkel, Editor-In-Chief of Cosmos Magazine, one of Australia’s biggest science magazines said she was delighted to support this year’s grant program.

“Feature writing is something which is not easy to do well, and if we can assist an ASC member to improve their skills in this area, it is something I personally have a lot of pleasure in supporting” Dr Finkel said.

Science Alert are also offering an exclusive week long internship for an ASC member to go behind the scenes of one of biggest social media science Facebook pages – with close to 7 million followers. This internship includes up to $1000 in travel assistance to work with the Science Alert team in Sydney.

Chris Cassella, Managing Director of Science Alert was also very proud to support the grants program and impart an ASC member with skills around running a social media business.

“We are very proud of what Science Alert has become and how it has grown over the past few years.” Mr Cassella said.

“If we can offer an ASC member an exclusive opportunity to be one of our team for the week, working with some of the best science writers and social media gurus and see just how we do things from start to finish….well I’m game if they are” Mr Cassella finished with.

Professor Joan Leach, ASC National President said she is extremely proud to see this program grow in only its second year and thanks Cosmos Media and Science Alert for supporting the program, while also thanking Ian McDonald, the Grants Program Manager for building the program from the ground up.

“We have over 400 members from many corners of the country. They may be working for big organisations or themselves and may be using a range of skills related to science communication, engagement, media and education,” Professor Leach said.

“These grants are about supporting members, in a small way, to develop up skills and experiences for their futures and it is great to see science communication organisations now getting on board and I would implore others to support the program in future years,” she finished by saying.

In 2015, the total value of the program is worth an estimated $5000 and three grants and one internship will be offered:

  • The Peter Pockley Grant for Investigative Journalism (one grant worth $600)
  • The ASC Grant Science Communication (one grant worth $600)
  • The Cosmos Media Grant for Professional Development in Feature Writing (one grant worth $1000)
  • The Science Alert Social Media Internship (week long internship with access of up to $1000 in travel funds)

More details on the program and application process are available at http://www.asc.asn.au/grants and applications close at 5pm AEST, 7th August 2014. The grant recipients will be publicly announced at the Australian Science Communicator’s National AGM later in the year.

For more information or to help publicise the program contact:

Ian McDonald, ASC Grants Program Manager

E: grants@asc.asn.au M: 0439 746 556

To find out more about the 2014 recipients please visit – http://www.asc.asn.au/blog/2014/12/05/grantsreport2014/ 

This entry was posted in ACT, Awards, Branch Notices, Grants, Media, National, NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Uncategorized, Vic, WA by Ian McDonald. Bookmark the permalink.

About Ian McDonald

I have a strong research, education and communication background. I thoroughly enjoy writing and presenting about topics relevant to the community, such as environmental and ecological research, health and medical research, along with public policy and legislation. I have combined these powers to help engage the public with knowledge through blog posts, magazine articles, podcasts, videos, social media pages, presentations and running large scale community based events. I have been working professionally as a Science Communicator in Canberra since 2009.

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