Shell Chair Endowment

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In 1995, Shell Malaysia in Miri awarded RM 2,000,000.00 to support research activities from various perspectives related to biodiversity, ecology and environmental sciences. The goal of the Shell Chair is to promote and encourage research on wide-ranging biodiversity and ecological issues, including pollution of ecosystems, resource management, sustainable development, and environmental assessment and conservation strategies.

Since its establishment, Shell Research Chair has supported research activities encompassing a wide range of topics including fundamental studies on biodiversity (marine harmful algae, macroinvertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals), ecological study of rivers and lakes, and their biodiversity, and assessment of tarballs characteristics associated with oil industry. 

The Chair has also supported conservation awareness programmes such as the International Bornean Frog Race, Dolphins Conservation along coastal villages of Sarawak, Julau Community Outreach Program and Hornbills Monitoring in Piasau Nature Reserve.

About the Chair: 
1. The call for research proposals is announced by the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Centre (RIEC) every year. The applications can be submitted via IRIS7 https://research.unimas.my/iris7/grant-app/apply (select Shell Chair). Please be informed that the Shell Chair encourages applicants to collaborate with national agencies that are interested in the proposed research.
2. The maximum allocation for the Shell Chair grant scheme is RM 20,000.
3. The research duration is 24 months i.e. two years.
4. Output of research is a minimum of ONE Index publication and article contribution in IBEC Bulletin published periodically.
5. The grant does not support purchases of research equipment.   
6. Shortlisted applicants will be called for a short presentation to the expert panels.  
7. Researchers are required to produce a summary of the project along with examples of images related to the subjects and project activities when the project has ended.
8. Collaborative research proposal with IBEC staff is strongly encouraged.
9. Successful applicants are required to present their findings at relevant events organised by IBEC.
10. Applicants should refer to UNIMAS Guidelines on Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Management that is available here.

Grant Extensions:
1. Two extensions of six-month periods may be given to each Shell Chair grant. 
2. Application for extensions must be submitted at least six months before the end period, along with a memo and attachments to RIEC through the Head of Chair. 
3. All extension applications will be brought up to the Shell Chair Trustee Committee before approval. 
4. Examples of memos and and relevant forms can be obtained on RIEC website here.