Call for Applications: 2006 BP Conservation Programme Awards

FUNDING AVAILABLE WITH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
     DEADLINE - 16th DECEMBER 2006
           E-mail applications and enquiries to: bp-conservation-programme@birdlife.org.uk; for more information about the programme, visit: http://conservation.bp.com.

           The aim of BP Conservation Programme Awards is to contribute to long-term environmental conservation and sustainable development in priority areas by encouraging and engaging potential leaders in biodiversity conservation, and providing opportunities for them to gain practical skills and experience.

           This initiative, organised by BirdLife International, Conservation International, Fauna & Flora International, the Wildlife Conservation Society and BP, has been helping young conservationists across the world to achieve their goals for the past 15 years. The Programme currently works towards its aims by offering advice, training and awards, primarily targeting university students.

           This year we have a new application procedure, as well as new criteria. The Programme has been working to develop an even stronger programme to align with our goal to build leadership capacity for sustainable development across the world, with 2006 serving as a transition year. We are testing some new approaches and procedures in order to increase efficiency and maintain good quality support for those applying and winning awards.

           Three types of awards will be offered in 2006:


           a.. Future Conservationist Awards: Approximately 20 awards of up to $12,500 each, plus training.
           a.. Conservation Follow-up Awards: Approximately 5 awards of up to $25,000 each, plus training. Available to previous BPCP award winners only.
           a.. Conservation Leadership Awards: 2 awards of $50,000 each, plus training. Available to previous BPCP award winners only.
           These three tiers allow progression from encouraging and supporting inexperienced teams undertaking small-scale, basic surveying and awareness-raising projects, to the stage where teams are engaging in more complex decision-making, and developing stronger communication and leadership skills.

           The application deadline is 16th December 2005 for ALL applications, and awards will be announced mid-March 2006. All details, including new guidelines and application forms, are now available on the BPCP website!

           All teams submitting an application receive feedback on their proposal and advice on other sources of funding regardless of whether or not they are granted an award. The sooner applications are received prior to the December 16th deadline, the more opportunity we have to review these initial proposals and get them back to applicants with feedback, allowing time for improvement before they submit a final proposal.

           For Future Conservationist Awards, applicants must fulfill the following eligibility criteria (further criteria are included in the guidelines, which can be downloaded from the website):


           a.. Teams must include only members less than 35 years of age with no more than two years professional conservation experience.
           a.. Projects must address a recognised international biodiversity conservation priority at the species or site level.
           a.. Projects must take place outside countries that have ratified the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Visit www.oecd.org for a list.
           a.. Projects that are specifically for PhD research or Master's dissertations will not be supported.
           Please consider whether you have any ideas for projects you think would be eligible and could benefit your scope of activities. Feel free to contact us for advice or with questions: bp-conservation-programme@birdlife.org.uk. Please pass this announcement on to anyone (individuals, organisations, academic institutions) you think would be interested. We look forward to receiving all applications.

Source: Marinet

I hope this is of your interest. Regards,

Jorge Brenner