LITTLE GREEN DOT

STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

Teachers and Students Briefing
17 Feb 2012
Tanglin International Centre

IKEAs vision is to create a better

everyday life for the many people.
This includes doing what we can to help
create a world where we take better care of
the environment, the earths resources,
and each other.
IKEA has forged long-term cooperative
relationships with partners in the field of
social & environmental issues such as
UNICEF, Save the Children and WWF.

WWFs mission is to stop the

degradation of the planets natural
environment and build a future in
which humans live in harmony with
nature by
Conserving the world's biological diversity
Ensuring that the use of renewable natural
resources is sustainable
Promoting the reduction of pollution and
wasteful consumption

IKEA and WWF HQ began working together in 2002 to promote responsible forestry,
support better cotton production and address climate change issues.
In 2007, IKEA Singapore and WWF Singapore forged a local partnership promoting
responsible consumer behavior through IKEAs Say No To Plastic Bags campaign.
Proceeds from the sale of the plastic bags go to WWF for community livehood projects in
support of forest conservation in Indonesia.

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

Partnership

An extension to IKEAs Say No To Plastic Bags campaign

Proceeds from the sale of the plastic bags will go towards the LITTLE GREEN DOT
Student Research Grant
In collaboration with Nature Society (Singapore): administer the grant application,
selection, awarding, mentorship and research process.

Nature Society (Singapore) is a non-government, non-profit organisation

dedicated to the appreciation, conservation, study and enjoyment of the
natural heritage in Singapore and the surrounding regions.

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

Partnership

GREEN DOT?

oA student research grant that promotes learning of Singapores natural

environment through direct study and discovery.
oAims to facilitate the development of a new generation of leaders
in conservation and biodiversity studies.
oLaunched in January 2011, the grant calls for students to form groups and
submit a proposal for a nature conservation research project.
oEleven groups with the best proposals will receive funding to carry out
their research.
oAt the end of their research, students will share their findings through a
symposium
oIt is a collaborative effort by IKEA Singapore, WWF Singapore and
Nature Society (Singapore).

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

WHAT IS THE LITTLE

Forest Conservation
o Forests are vital to balancing our planets climate, supporting the
cycling of our freshwater and home to a wealth of biodiversity up to
50% of the worlds known species live in tropical rainforests
o Rich forest biodiversity in Singapore
o Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves home to
more than 840 flowering plants and over 500 species of animals
o Mangroves (Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve), Nee Soon swamp
forest, coastal forests (Labrador Nature Reserve, offshore islands)
o WWFs Love Our Forests campaign
o 2011 was the United Nations International Year of Forests

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

THEME FOR YEAR 2012

Marine and Freshwater Conservation

o In support of UNs International Year of Biodiversity 2010 to
protect and conserve the Marine, Coastal and Freshwater
biodiversity
o Complement PUBs Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters
Programme
o Conservation of marine biodiversity and wise use of freshwater
wetlands are important options for climate change mitigation and
adaptation

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

THEME FOR YEAR 2011

ADMIN MATTERS

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

RESEARCH PROCESS

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

LITTLE GREEN DOT WORKFLOW

3 January 2012

Call for applications:

Theme for 2012: Forest Conservation

Complete application form available on

http://www.nss.org.sg/project.aspx?id=11.

Submit form via email to: littlegreendot@nss.org.sg.

Application deadline:

19 March 2012

Open to students from:

o
Secondary 3 & 4
o
Junior College 1 & 2
o
International School Grade 9, 10, 11 & 12
Grant will be awarded for a 8-month research period

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

APPLICATION FOR GRANT

Selection panel made up of NSS, WWF Singapore

and IKEA Singapore
o

Five groups from Sec 3 & 4/ Grade 9 & 10 - $3,000 per project

Six groups from JC 1 & 2/ Grade 11 & 12 - $5,000 per project

Interview for short-listed projects in April 2012

Panel may suggest modifications to successful

projects

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

SELECTION FOR GRANT

Results will be announced on 30 April 2012.

Successful project proposals will be put up on
NSS website.
Successful groups will be notified directly via
email for further action.
Media announcement from May 2012.

Not the end for unsuccessful project proposals

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

SELECTION FOR GRANT

Year 2012
3 Jan 19 Mar

20 Mar 29 Apr

Application
for
Grant

Selection

30 Apr

Year 2013
1 May 27 Dec

Announce
Grant
Awardees

Study
Period

28 Dec

Apr (date tbc)

Submission

Little Green
Dot
Symposium

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

TIMELINE

Local practicing environmentalists will be

assigned as mentor to each group

Mentors will provide guidance on

methodology and study design
2. analysis of results
1.

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

MENTORSHIP

Mentors will not

physically supervise students during field work
2. prepare/ provide materials on behalf of students
3. Take over the field work should research projects not
proceed as intended (but may be consulted for trouble
shooting)
4. ensure deadlines are met
1.

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

MENTORSHIP

Grant covers project expenses, eg: transport, meals

in the field, field equipment.
Does not cover non-specific equipment, eg: digital
cameras, computers.
Receipts and written evidence of purchase to be
retained by group members.
Unused money, receipts and written evidence of
purchase to be returned to NSS by:
28 December 2012

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

MONEY MATTERS

Submit academic report to NSS by:

28 December 2012

Academic reports will be uploaded onto website

Share findings in the Little Green Dot Symposium

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

POST-STUDY PERIOD

NSS will reclaim the full grant amount if:

o

Groups fail to submit academic reports before

deadlines without valid reason.

Instances of plagiarism are discovered in

submitted academic reports.

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

POST-STUDY PERIOD

Nature Society (Singapore)

Goh Ter Yang
littlegreendot@nss.org.sg
Tel: 6741 2036
Fax: 6741 0871
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/project.aspx?
id=11

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

CONTACT DETAILS

Q&A

LITTLE GREEN DOT STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT

THANK YOU!

TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP MAKE

SINGAPORE A LITTLE GREEN DOT