Student Research Scholarship for Global Bat Conservation Priorities

Description

Bat Conservation International requests proposals through BCI's online application system from exceptionally talented graduate student researchers interested in seeking financial support for their bat conservation research projects.

We are seeking research proposals relevant to conservation on:

Category #1: The project contributes to the understanding of the effects of human-caused environmental changes, such as land use and climate change, as threats to global bat biodiversity, including projects focusing on habitat destruction or degradation, wind energy development, pollution, impacts from drought or extreme weather, invasive species, etc.

Category #2: The project contributes to the understanding of bat/human conflicts, such as persecution, hunting, disturbance,  etc.

Category #3: The project will answer ecological or behavioral questions essential to the conservation of one or more bat species currently listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (www.iucnredlist.org) or officially recognized on a national list of species of concern.

From the awardees, we will recognize outstanding students for the following honors, awards, and special recognition: 

HONORS
• Verne & Marion Read Bat Conservation Honor: an annual award to a student who inspires education and community action to protect bats around the world and address critical conservation needs.

• Thomas H. Kunz Innovation in Bat Research Honor: BCI offers a Distinct Honor to recognize the many contributions of Dr. Tom Kunz to the field of bat ecology and conservation. Dr. Thomas H Kunz dedicated his productive career to ecology and conservation of bats and inspired, mentored, and encouraged a generation of scientists around the world to pursue the study and conservation of bat species.  The Thomas H Kunz Bat Conservation Honor will be awarded to a student scholar applicant whose proposed research project uses innovative approaches to bat conservation research.

AWARDS

• Women in Science Award: to a student identifying as a woman who demonstrates a commitment to advancing women in science, which can be demonstrated through an initiative to support other women in science or their own personal development.  Eligibility is restricted to women from the Global South. This recognition comes with additional support for the woman's professional development or proposed initiative up to $500 USD. 

• Equitable Conservation Award: to a student(s) who includes a component in their proposal to promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of conservation science. This award may come with additional support for the proposed program, up to $500 USD.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
• Conservation Evidence Special Recognition: a badge and recognition added to any Student Scholar who plans to test or implement a conservation intervention or action.

Need help with your application or have questions? Feel free to email scholarships@batcon.org and join our BCI Scholars Slack workspace for support on your application and to get connect with other bat conservationists around the world! This is a space where you can get help with editing, study design, general advice on your research proposal, or any other questions you might have!

Join BCI Scholars Slack here!

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Students must be a registered graduate student (Ph.D. or M.Sc.) and in good standing with a recognized academic institution.

• Previous BCI Student Scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply unless they are seeking funding for a different graduate degree.

Note: a student regains eligibility if they successfully completed the project and degree for which they received a scholarship and are now in a new degree program (e.g., a student received a scholarship during their Master's program, and now are pursuing a PhD).

• Graduate research must fit the priority categories as defined in this request for proposals (RFP).

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

• All proposals must be prepared by the applicant. While BCI will fund work that is part of a larger project, the applicant must write the proposal and conduct the research.

• One letter of recommendation is required, preferably from the student's supervisor. Any applications without a letter of recommendation will not be considered for funding under this RFP.

• Projects must begin no later than six (6) months following the date of award.

• Applicants may submit only one (1) proposal per RFP. We encourage applicants to re-apply and improve their proposals based on the feedback from previous submissions.

• Eligible use of funds is limited to direct project costs.

• BCI requires that all sponsoring universities and institutions may NOT take overhead, administrative, or indirect costs from the awarded grant monies. All funds must go towards the student's research.

Number of Awards

14

Award Amount

$5,000