American Academy of Underwater Sciences Foundation - Kevin Gurr Scholarships

Kevin Gurr Scholarship

You receive a one-off research grant of 3,000 USD (about 2,760 EUR) for a Master's-level project that uses scientific diving. The money goes straight to you, and you spend it on your project budget as you see fit. The award comes from the AAUS Foundation (American Academy of Underwater Sciences), which funds research where diving is either a central tool or the subject of study itself. If your proposal ranks just below the winner, you may instead be offered one of up to two smaller grants of 1,500 USD (about 1,380 EUR) each.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are enrolled on a Master’s programme or have been officially admitted to one.
• Your research: Your project uses scientific diving as a key tool, or diving science is your subject in its own right. General science projects will only be considered if diving is the central focus.
• Membership: You must be an active AAUS member (student or full member) at the time of your application. Simply completing the AAUS research diver training course does not in itself make you a member; please therefore check your status first.
• Diving standards: All dives carried out as part of your research must take place within the framework of an AAUS-approved programme. If your organisation is not a member of AAUS, you must provide evidence that its diving standards meet or exceed AAUS standards, usually by submitting the organisation’s diving standards manual.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities, including international students.

How to apply

You apply online via the AAUS application portal and log in using your membership details. You must upload a 3 to 5-page research proposal setting out your methods, the significance of your research and a detailed budget, as well as a letter of recommendation from your supervising lecturer. The application deadline is 30 June each year. The winners will be announced on 1 October.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is very narrowly defined. You must be a member of the AAUS, be undertaking a Master’s degree and be carrying out a project in the field of scientific diving – so the pool of eligible applicants is small. Only one Master’s scholarship is awarded each year, along with up to two smaller scholarships for runners-up. A convincing, well-thought-out application is more important than the scope of the research field. If you clearly meet the ‘diving research’ focus and submit a well-founded application, your chances are good.