The Gottstein Trust’s annual round of capacity-building grants is open for applications until midnight Wednesday, October 16th, 2024. The grants’ purpose is to further advance the forest and forest products industry across Australia. They are awarded to individuals seeking to increase their ability to contribute positively.
“We urge all people and culture/ human resource teams, business owners, company executives and operations managers everywhere to make sure their personnel are aware of these wonderful opportunities and encourage them to apply,” according to Gottstein Trust chair Suzette Weeding.
Three types of grant opportunities are available. They offer a wide scope of industry personnel along the value chain, and researchers and students are eligible to apply.
“Without fail, such impressive people come out of the woodwork when we invite applications each year. A Trustee panel reviews every application thoroughly before deciding which applications will be awarded a grant,” Ms Weeding said.
“This is always a competitive round, and we feel genuine excitement at the prospect of seeing the applications.”
Three award grant categories are open for applicants.
- The first is for general skill building. The Skills Development Grant is open to people who work at any level in the sector. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, conference fees, field trip attendance, a short course, and travel to learn about a certain skill or machine operation.
- The second category is a Gottstein Scholarship —this is open to people pursuing a vocational qualification at TAFE or University, either undergraduate or postgraduate. Scholarship funds may be used for course-related or general living expenses at the discretion of the scholarship recipient.
- The Gottstein Fellowship is the premier grant awarded. This grant is awarded to people who work within or are associated with the Australian wood products and forest industries, which may be anywhere on the value chain. A fellow is funded to conduct a research project that they have put forward. Most projects entail international and/or domestic travel, and fellows share their outcomes in a report. Previous successful applicant reports are available on the Trust website.
Dr Harry Mills completed his fellowship in 2019 and found it was “a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” His project investigated state-of-the-art timber supply chains on a 14-week study tour through North America, Scandinavia, Europe, and the UK. “The opportunities to collaborate and connect with people worldwide were simply invaluable.“
There’s absolutely no doubt that a Gottstein Fellowship helps to boost a career and may, in some cases, even be life-changing. “It’s evident that impacts are truly long-lasting,” Ms Weeding said.
The Gottstein Trust Fund has boosted the careers of many people, and so many moved on to senior leadership positions. “It is now time for today’s future leaders to step forward with their ideas and applications to be considered for a grant,” said Ms Weeding. The great opportunity that awaits is evident in testimonials.
Online application forms can be accepted until midnight Canberra (AEST) time on Wednesday, October 16th, 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a Trustee panel in November, and offers to successful candidates will be made no later than early December.
Anyone considering applying can access all the details on the Gottstein website. It can be wise to discuss a project idea before preparing an application, and those interested are invited to call Helen Murray at 0419 991 424. All other enquiries can be directed to team@gottsteintrust.org.
About the Gottstein Trust
The Joseph William (Bill) Gottstein Memorial Trust Fund was formed in 1971 to honour the esteemed CSIRO forest products research scientist, who was accidentally killed while photographing a tree-felling operation in Papua New Guinea. Leaders of the forest products industry and CSIRO acted immediately to create this trust fund in his honour. The Trust aims to foster innovation and excellence in the industry.
