Applications invited for Ravi Sankaran Fellowship Program in Ecology and Conservation

Fellowship title: Applications invited for Ravi Sankaran Fellowship Program in Ecology and Conservation

Deadline: 15^th April 2019

Background

The problem of wildlife conservation

Wild species currently face great challenges as natural habitats shrink, invasive species proliferate, extractive use drives populations into decline and the global climate alters to an alarming degree. Many wild species already cling precariously to existence; some may already be condemned to eventual extinction because of their small populations and habitats. The reasons for conserving biodiversity are diverse, as are the solutions required to prevent and reverse their decline. These solutions require new and creative thinking and action, and this is being increasingly recognized within the broad fields of wildlife ecology and conservation.

The Ravi Sankaran Fellowship Program funds three major activities:

Masters Degree at an International University: The Program will fund one or two students to work towards a 1-2 yr Masters degree in a reputed academic program in ecology or conservation. The purpose of this Fellowship is to train the student recipients in the science and/or implementation of conservation; and to facilitate interaction with the larger international community involved in conservation science and practice.

Funding provided: stipend, course fees, one-way international travel.

Internship with a International Conservation Organisation: The Program will fund one or two recipients to carry out an internship of 6 weeks to 1 year with a university research group, NGO, government agency, or other organisation, known for its work in conservation science and practice in a country other than India. The purpose of the internship is for recipients of the fellowship to gain experience and insight in field ecology and conservation beyond what they would ordinarily gather from an academic degree program; and to facilitate interaction with the larger international community involved in conservation science and implementation.

Funding provided: stipend, internship fees (if any), to-and-fro international travel (with a cap of USD 1,500 for travel).

Small Grants program for a conservation research or implementation project within India: The Program will fund up to 5 recipients to carry out an initial project of up to 1 yr that is expected to lead to a longer-term conservation science and/or implementation project. Thus, this program provides “seed money” for what may ordinarily be viewed as an unconventional or risky project. Recipients of an initial Small Grant may apply for follow-up funding; when doing so, they must demonstrate the success of the pilot project and show how subsequent funding is essential to bring out the conservation benefits of the project. Activities funded by the Small Grants program should ordinarily be carried out in India. Where appropriate, applicants for a small grant are encouraged to consider and include the potential role that local communities can play in conservation.

Eligibility and Selection

• Ravi Sankaran Fellowships are open to Indian nationals (who must also be resident in India at the time of applying) with a demonstrated deep interest in wildlife ecology and conservation through prior involvement in this field. Applicants must hold a Bachelors degree in any subject, and should normally be below 30 years of age in the year of application.
• Applicants must demonstrate their commitment to conservation and strongly justify how the fellowship will further conservation in India. The Fellowship particularly seeks young applicants with bold and unconventional ideas for tackling conservation problems. Small Grant applicants must also submit a project proposal with budget. Full details accompany the application form for the specific activity.

How to Apply

Instructions on filling in and submitting the Internship Abroad and Small Grant forms are contained within these files. Some fields have a word limit; please make sure you do not exceed this limit. In addition, please note:

• Type out your answers to all questions in the space provided (note that the space will expand if needed)
• Internship applicants must enclose a letter of acceptance/admission from the host institution.
• We will contact your referees directly — please ask them not to send their letters until they have heard directly from us.

For more information please check the Link

Tags Environment and Sustainability Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)