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)

Application Process

1. Prepare your research/conservation project: Conduct your scientific research or conservation project with direct applicability to bird management or conservation in the Caribbean region

2. Submit abstract to conference: Submit an abstract to the biennial BirdsCaribbean Conference

3. Indicate award consideration: On the conference online form, indicate that you are applying for consideration for the Founders' Award for Best Student Paper

4. Ensure abstract acceptance: Your abstract must be accepted by the conference

5. Submit enrollment verification: Provide evidence of current enrollment or graduation within the past year (required materials):
- Letter from your advisor on institutional letterhead
- Submit via email to the conference organizers

6. Present at conference: Present your accepted paper at the biennial BirdsCaribbean Conference

7. Award announcement: The Founders' Award Committee will evaluate all submitted projects and announce the winner at the conference

Required Materials

• Conference abstract (submitted through conference submission portal)
• Letter from advisor on institutional letterhead confirming enrollment status or recent graduation
• Presentation at the conference

Evaluation Criteria

Your paper will be judged on:
• Scientific quality and merit
• Direct applicability to management of bird populations, habitats, or related critical natural resources
• Significance of conservation benefits achieved
• Quality of the project work

Contact

info@birdscaribbean.org for questions about the award