A new Skyrail Rainforest Foundation initiative will provide students with the opportunity to access up to $10,000 for PhD and masters projects, and up to $2,000 for honours projects.

This opportunity marks the first round of Skyrail Rainforest Foundation funding available exclusively to students.

Max Shepherd, a Skyrail Rainforest Foundation Director, said the Foundation was pleased to make funding available for student research projects which would provide positive outcomes for the protection, education, understanding and management of tropical rainforest environments.

"The Foundation looks forward to providing students with the opportunity and means to contribute to rainforest research, and ultimately improve community understanding and appreciation of the world’s tropical rainforests," Mr Shepherd said.

"The Skyrail Rainforest Foundation is committed to raising and distributing funds to support tropical rainforest research and education projects," he said.

To be considered for funding, projects must be compatible with the Foundation's vision: 'the protection of tropical rainforests worldwide through sound management, understanding and appreciation through research and education'.

Applications for Funding close Friday 25th May 2007.

To assist with the preparation of applications for funding, a Skyrail Rainforest Foundation 'Guidelines: Applications for Funding Students' document is available for download here. Submissions should be made on the project proposal form, which is available for download here.

Alternatively, please contact the Skyrail Rainforest Foundation on email info@skyrailfoundation.org or phone (07) 4031 2977.

Applications will be reviewed and assessed by the Skyrail Rainforest Foundation's Public Fund Management Committee, which has representatives from Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, James Cook University (JCU), the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

In 2006 the Skyrail Rainforest Foundation committed $50,000 towards the funding of several research initiatives, collectively known as the Skyrail Rainforest Foundation Cyclone Larry Project.

The research works were primarily undertaken by the Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture, an alliance between the CSIRO and JCU.