Scholarship Description: The Nature Conservancy is pleased to offer NatureNet Science Fellows and Research Grant program in the USA. The Nature Conservancy recognizes climate change as the single greatest threat to our mission, and to humanity.
The NatureNet Science Fellows and Research Grant program aims to bridge academic excellence and conservation practice to confront climate change, and to create a new generation of conservation leaders who combine the rigor of academic science with real-world application.
The Nature Conservancy is a charitable environmental organization, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, United States. Its mission is to “conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.”
Degree Level: Fellowship is available to pursue a Postdoctoral research program.
Available Subject: Within these goals are two overarching themes:
- Theme 1: Halting Climate Change
The majority of projected climate change impacts can be avoided if we act quickly and aggressively towards a low-carbon energy system. Getting there will require major new advances in the science and engineering behind energy technology — from storage, improved efficiency, and transmission, to new source development–and in how we deploy all energy sources–from encouraging major energy source shifts to siting and operating new infrastructure with minimal environmental impact. Fellows may tackle these challenges from the fields of physics, chemistry, landscape planning, electrical engineering, biology, nanotechnology, political science, meteorology, waste management, computer science, energy technology, geography, or transport engineering.
- Theme 2: Adapting to Climate Change
Climate change is already happening, and current levels of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere have already locked the planet into significant climate disruption. The NatureNet program supports research that will identify new means for reducing these impacts and improving the ability of both nature and people to adapt. Relevant challenges will be addressed by fellows from fields as wide ranging as coral biology, agricultural technology, political economics, coastal geomorphology, ecology, forestry, water and sanitation health, climatology, environmental toxicology, agronomy, irrigation engineering, animal husbandry, fisheries, or coastal engineering.
Scholarship Benefits: Option 1: Post-Doctoral Fellowship Position
Each Fellow will receive a non-negotiable annual salary of $50,000 plus benefits, with the postdoctoral position expected to run for two consecutive years. In addition to the stipend, each Fellow receives an annual travel budget of approximately $5,000 and an annual research fund of approximately $20,000. Second-year renewal of the fellowship is contingent upon satisfactory progress and contribution to the collective program.
Option 2: Postdoctoral Research Grant
Each grantee will receive a research stipend of $20,000, with the grant period expected to run for two consecutive years. Second-year renewal of the grant is contingent upon satisfactory progress and contribution to the collective program. The Conservancy will distribute grant funds between May and September. Funds are awarded directly to the grantee’s institution and may be used by the grantee for such purposes as equipment, technical assistance, professional travel, trainee support, summer salary, or any other activity directly related to the grantees’ research. If used for summer salary, support is limited to a maximum of two-ninths of established academic salary. This summer research period is to be regarded as two full months.
Eligibility: The following criteria must be met in order for applicants to be eligible for the scholarship:
Option 1: Post-Doctoral Fellowship Position
Eligibility and Award Terms
Fellows identify and work with a Nature Conservancy mentor and a senior scholar (or scholars) from one of the NatureNet partner universities to develop a research program. Eligible individuals will:
- Not be employed as a post-doctoral student (at another university) at the start of this fellowship.
- Have completed their doctorate within five years before the application close date in November. Applicants who have not yet completed their doctorate must clearly indicate on the application the date the degree is expected.
Option 2: Postdoctoral Research Grant
Eligibility and Award Terms
Grantees and a university mentor from their host institution collaborate with a Nature Conservancy mentor to develop a research application. Eligible individuals will:
- Hold a post-doctoral position at an accredited university or research institution at the time of application.
- Have completed their doctorate within five years before the application close date in November.
Eligible Nationalities: International applicants are eligible to apply for this fellowship program.
Application Procedure: Applications will be accepted from September 1, 2017, through November 1, 2017, at 11:59 pm EST.
- Cover letter (limited to 1 page). Applicants should describe their research experience and suitability for the program and illustrate how their previous experience strengthens their ability to develop and implement the proposed research.
- Research proposal (limited to 2 pages). The proposal should highlight the research question of interest, clearly articulate the research approach and methods, and outline the project’s scientific significance. Most importantly, within this context projects should demonstrate a clear potential for delivering results for The Nature Conservancy’s global priorities, identify the audience who will use the outputs of your work, and address the NatureNet program’s themes of action-oriented research that focuses on climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop their projects with their TNC and University mentors.
- Curriculum Vitae or resume.
- Three letters of recommendation to be submitted through the online application system. References should speak to the applicant’s ability to complete the proposed project, the feasibility of completing the project within the 2-year time frame, and how the project relates to past work/skills.
- Letters of support from your proposed TNC and University mentors. Mentors should speak to the importance of the project for TNC or their University, the feasibility of completing the proposed research within the 2-year time frame, and the role they will play in mentoring the applicant through the project. The applicant is expected to engage in co-development of the proposal with both proposed mentors and proof of co-development will be assessed during proposal review.
- Research budget for Postdoctoral Research Grant Applications only.
- Accepted candidates will be notified by March 2018. Fellows will be expected to start when funds are available in September 2018. For further information, please contact the NatureNet Science Fellows Program at NatureNetScience-at-tnc.org.
Deadline: Scholarship application deadline is November 1, 2017.