Doctorate and Masters students in the bio-physical and social science fields are encouraged to apply for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Science for Management Awards which encourage new management-relevant research across a broad range of subjects.

Research projects that address the risks faced by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area in today's changing climate are the focus of the Awards program.

GBRMPA Chief Scientist Dr David Wachenfeld said the Awards offer an opportunity for the Agency to gain a fresh perspective of the Reef and its threats, with the students' research contributing to improved future management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

"The Science for Management Awards are an important way to acknowledge valuable research being conducted by a new generation of scientists," Dr Wachenfeld said.

"While the Great Barrier Reef is one of the healthiest ecosystems in the world, it faces some challenges which impact on its health and resilience and better understanding these threats is necessary to ensure best practice management.

"By inviting applications across physical, biological and social sciences fields we hope to fill knowledge gaps and better inform future management actions to ensure that the Reef is protected for future generations to enjoy.

"Project proposals may focus on any aspect of the physical, biological, social, cultural and economic environments of the Great Barrier Reef, and could range anywhere from observing social attitudes towards Reef management, to examining the biological characteristics of a particular reef species.

"The Science for Management Awards provides an avenue for future leading marine scientists to directly contribute to management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park."

The Science for Management Awards are open for applications from 1 December 2011 and close on 31 January 2012.

Research projects must be guided by the overarching research questions from GBRMPA's Scientific Information Needs 2009-2014, and in their applications students should explain how their proposed research will address the management, conservation and sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the World Heritage Area in a changing climate.

For more information on the Awards, including guidelines and how to apply, email science@gbrmpa.gov.au or go to the GBRMPA Science for Management Awards webpage.