Established to promote the preservation of tropical forests by enlarging the body of botanists with field experience. The program, administered by World Wildlife Fund, enables doctoral candidates to pursue independent field study in the tropics. Their research has the potential to significantly contribute to critical issues of tropical botany and notably impact tropical conservation. Selection is by a panel of botanists appointed by World Wildlife Fund. One award is granted for a systematics study and one for ecology.
Purpose:
To assist doctoral candidates enrolled in a U.S. Ph.D. program to undertake independent field work in the tropics. These joint GCA/WWF awards have been offered annually since 1983. Generally, one grant is awarded in the area of tropical plant systematics and a second in tropical forest ecology.
Eligibility:
Individuals are eligible to apply if they anticipate completing the requirements for a Ph.D. in Botany within two years and are enrolled in a United States university. Applicants must already be Ph.D. candidates.
Award:
Two $5,500 awards are made annually and are intended for fieldwork in tropical countries . The awards are highly competitive and made on a one-time-only basis.
Application:
There is no formal application form. Candidates should submit an application packet including the following:
- Curriculum vitae;
- Evidence of foreign language capability, if necessary for country of research;
- A two-page statement of the proposed research, including its relevance to conservation, beginning with a one-to-three sentence summary statement of the proposal’s purpose, field location, plant group/vegetation type and questions to be answered;
- A personal letter describing the candidate's plans for the future and commitment to tropical conservation; and
- A letter of recommendation from the student's graduate advisor, including an evaluation of the student's progress to date.
Contact and Address:
Andrea Santy
Phone: (202) 495-4447
Senior Program Officer
email: andrea.santy@wwfus.org
Conservation Leadership Programs
World Wildlife Fund
1250 24th Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
DEADLINE: Applications must be postmarked by January 15. Recipients will be announced in March.
