Application Deadline: November 6, 2017.

Now in its fifth year, the NatureNet Science Fellows Program – in partnership with leading research universities – has awarded two-year fellowships to 32 promising early career scientists. Fellows are expanding their research skills while also field testing science-based solutions to problems at the interface of conservation, business and technology.

Program Goals

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. Within this framework, the program goals are to:

• Support innovative and impact-oriented research that help deliver TNC outcomes;
• Invest in the talent potential of a new generation of climate change leaders;
• Recruit scientists who bring a diversity of culture, experience, and ideas into conservation; and
• Provide partner universities and fellows with access to real-world conservation issues.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The Nature Conservancy recognizes climate change as the single greatest threat to our mission, and to humanity. Never has there been an issue that so tightly integrates the health of the planet with the economy, food production, clean, reliable water, health, and equality. To tackle these challenges, the Nature Conservancy now needs new brands of science —

1. Science that blends climatology, physics, economics, business, chemistry, engineering, technology and communications with conservation and ecology AND;
2. Science that marries the best academic analysis with opportunities to rapidly test and deploy those analyses in the real world to address human well-being.

Award

• 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.

How to Apply

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 programs 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@tnc.org.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the NatureNet Science Fellows Program 2018