From Brazil to Bangladesh, our Student Scholars program provides global bat research opportunities to graduate students.
10.01.21
From Brazil to Bangladesh, our Student Scholars program provides global bat research opportunities to graduate students looking to expand their knowledge and experience in bat conservation. Beginning October 1, we’re accepting applications for the 2022 request for proposals (RFP) and invite students who are registered and in good standing with a recognized academic institution to submit their proposals for consideration.
In 2018, Varsha Rai focused her work in Nepal, traveling to schools to give presentations to raise awareness about the importance of bats and plant the seeds of grassroots conservation. She collected data on local species and their diets to provide direct evidence of their benefits to communities. “I believe that direct involvement of local people and schools in bat research and conservation activities helps raise awareness of bats by motivating people to appreciate and take care of them.”
In Borneo, Dave Hemprich-Bennett compared differences in prey availability for bats in undisturbed old-growth rainforests and in areas logged for conversion to oil palm plantations. “Bat Conservation International’s scholarship allowed me to go back to Borneo to do more powerful science by getting more samples. Our bat work contributes to a broader analysis that’s ongoing about finding a balance between allowing oil palm plantations to exist and be commercially viable, but also still be reasonably good for conservation purposes.”
Funded research projects like these contribute new knowledge to our understanding of bat ecology and conservation and help inform conservation strategies to protect bats locally and globally. Share or join the Student Scholars program and support our mission to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystems to ensure a healthy planet.