The Research Fellowship Program (RFP), administered by WCS-International Conservation’s Training & Capacity Building Program, is a small grants program designed to support individual field research projects that have a clear application to the conservation of threatened wildlife and wildlife habitat and that are based on sound and innovative conservation science. In addition, the RFP aims to build capacity for the next generation of conservationists. Most of the grantees are professional conservationists from the country of research and/or post-graduates pursuing a higher degree.

Building a Scientific Structure to Achieve Conservation
Since its establishment in 1993, the Research Fellowship Program has been a major international source for small grants to support applied conservation science. In the ten years between 1994 and 2004, 1,371 proposals totaling $17.3 million have been submitted to the Program for funding. Of these, 198 (14.4%) proposals totaling $2.4 million have been funded. We have received proposals to conduct research in sites all over the world, with 622 for Latin America, 394 for Africa, 357 for Asia, and 103 for the marine realm (plus 14 “other”). Studies in these regions have spanned the globe from China and Papua New Guinea, through Congo and Egypt, to Argentina and Mexico.

One of the priorities of the RFP has been to help train applied conservation scientists from developing countries. Over 66% of the total funded proposals have come from national conservationists, or conservationists who are citizens of the country where they are conducting their research. Of these, most (47%) have come from Latin America, followed by Asia (32%), Africa (16%), and Marine (4%). Collectively, these young professionals will help to apply field-tested conservation science to the challenges facing the conservation community.

Application Guidelines & Procedures
The RFP supports field research in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Traditionally the RFP has not supported research in North America, Australia, or Europe, or their territories. However, the RFP has just begun to accept applications from Native Americans (US) and First Nation Peoples (Canada) who intend to conduct work on native lands on issues of direct relevance to wildlife. Grants are for up to $25,000 dollars, and are for no longer than one year. The average grant is $11,000.

Proposals are submitted in a standard format for two annual cycles with deadlines on March 1 and September 1. They are reviewed for suitability by WCS Africa, Asia, Latin America and Caribbean, and Marine Conservation Regional Programs and then sent for peer review. In general, we request reviews from four scientists both on WCS staff and in other institutions. A final decision is made by Regional Assistant Directors, and the Director of the WCS Institute.

More information: http://www.wcs.org/international/rfp