Founders' Award for Best Student Paper

Founders' Award for Best Student Paper in Conservation or Management Research

Funder: BirdsCaribbean
Website: birdscaribbean.org
Established: 2011 at the BirdsCaribbean Conference in Freeport, Grand Bahama

Background

Established thanks to the vision and financial support of the founding members of the Founders Award Committee: Drs. Fred Schaffner and Joseph Wunderle.

Goal

This award is given to the student who presents the best paper in conservation research or management research at the biennial conference of BirdsCaribbean.

Eligibility

• Students only: Must be pursuing a post-graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.)
• Priority: Given to Caribbean nationals
• Presentation requirement: Must present an abstract at the biennial BirdsCaribbean conference and indicate on the online form that they are applying for consideration for the Founders' Award
• Abstract requirement: The abstract must be accepted
• Enrollment: Must submit evidence of current enrollment or graduation within the past year (e.g., letter from advisor on institutional letterhead)

Research Criteria

The paper must present:
• A scientific research project with results that directly apply to management of bird populations, their habitats, or related critical natural resources in the Caribbean Region, OR
• Results from a conservation project conducted by the student that significantly benefited bird populations, their habitat, or related critical natural resources in the Caribbean Region

Award Details

• Award: Life Membership in BirdsCaribbean
• Honorable Mentions: One or more may also be awarded for excellent projects at the discretion of the Founders' Award Committee judges
• No award condition: If no appropriate project is presented, no award will be given

What Is NOT Eligible

• Environmental or outdoor education projects (these areas are already better supported than research and activism)

Funding

• Funds obtained from direct donations from BirdsCaribbean members and others (including individuals, foundations, corporations) deposited into a special fund or endowment
• Managed by BirdsCaribbean with advice from the Committee

Committee

• Current Chair: Dr. Howard Nelson
• Committee consists of BirdsCaribbean members familiar with conservation issues related to birds generally and to the Caribbean region, Bahamas, and Bermuda specifically, and at least one member with expertise on fund management

Contact

info@birdscaribbean.org

Geographic Scope

Caribbean region

Recent Award Winners

• 2019: Christopher Cambrone (at Conference in Guadeloupe)