Student Scholars

Program Details

Since its founding in 1982, BCI has supported hundreds of university students and aspiring conservationists in dozens of countries. Our annual Student Scholars program grows the global capacity for bat research by providing opportunities for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students to expand their bat research experience and professional network, emphasizing that research is key for evidence-based conservation.

Research by BCI Student Scholars is targeted to address these priorities:

• Investigate the impacts of human-caused environmental changes, such as land development or climate change on bats. Research topics can include, but are not limited to, impacts of land-use change, pollution, or drought.
• Test interventions to resolve bat and human conflicts, such as hunting, roost disturbance, and persecution.
• Answer behavioral or ecological questions that aid the protection of a bat species considered Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Data Deficient.

Our Student Scholars live and work in countries around the globe including, but not limited to, Brazil, Cameroon, Costa Rica, India, New Guinea, Mexico, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea.

We encourage and support student researchers that incorporate training and mentoring opportunities as part of student research projects. However, BCI does not support projects that use unpaid technicians. Learn more about our Policy on Fair and Inclusive Training Opportunities for Student Scholars.

Granting Programs

“Student Research Scholarships for Global Bat Conservation Priorities”

Bat Conservation International requests proposals through BCI’s online application system from exceptionally talented student researchers interested in seeking financial support for their bat conservation research projects. We are currently accepting RFPs for the 2023 year until October 31, 2022. Submit a proposal here.

This RFP is only open to students who are registered and in good standing with a recognized academic institution. We anticipate granting up to the amount of $3,000.  These awards are not intended to cover the full cost of a project and BCI hopes these funds provide opportunities for matching grants from other funding sources. We seek proposals for research in the following categories:

Category #1: The project contributes to the understanding of the effects of human-caused environmental changes, such as land use and climate change, as threats to global bat biodiversity, including projects focusing on habitat destruction or degradation, wind energy development, pollution, impacts from drought or extreme weather, invasive species, etc.

Category #2: The project contributes to the understanding of bat/human conflicts, such as persecution, hunting, disturbance, etc.

Category #3: The project will answer ecological or behavioral questions essential to the conservation of one or more bat species currently listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species or officially recognized on a national list of species of concern.

From the awardees, we will recognize outstanding students for the following:

HONORS

• Thomas H. Kunz Innovation in Bat Research Honor: BCI offers a Distinct Honor to recognize the many contributions of Dr. Tom Kunz to the field of bat ecology and conservation. Dr. Thomas H Kunz dedicated his productive career to ecology and conservation of bats and inspired, mentored, and encouraged a generation of scientists around the world to pursue the study and conservation of bat species. The Thomas H Kunz Bat Conservation Honor will be awarded to a student scholar applicant whose proposed research project uses innovative approaches to bat conservation research.

AWARDS

• Women in Science Award:to a student identifying as a woman who demonstrates a commitment to advancing women in science, which can be demonstrated through an initiative to support other women in science or their own personal development.  Eligibility is restricted to women from the Global South. This recognition comes with additional support for the woman’s professional development or proposed initiative up to $500 USD.
• Equitable Conservation Award: to a student(s) who includes a component in their proposal to promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of conservation science. This award may come with additional support for the proposed program, up to $500 USD.

  SPECIAL RECOGNITION

• Conservation Evidence Special Recognition: a badge and recognition added to any Student Scholar who plans to test or implement a conservation intervention or action.