Student Research Scholarship for Global Bat Conservation Priorities Grant

Student Research Scholarship for Global Bat Conservation Priorities Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Bat Conservation International
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: September 13, 2025

Summary

Bat Conservation International invites proposals for the Student Research Scholarship aimed at supporting exceptional student researchers in bat conservation. Open to registered graduate students, awards up to $3,000 are offered for projects addressing human impacts on bat biodiversity, bat/human conflict, and essential ecological questions. The initiative also recognizes outstanding contributions through special honors, promoting diversity in conservation, and supporting innovative research approaches to bat conservation.

Overview

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. 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, bush-meat hunting, disturbance, bats and disease, 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 Verne & Marion Read Bat Conservation Honor: an annual award to a student who inspires education and community action to protect bats around the world and address critical conservation needs. This recognition comes with an additional $500 in support of their project.Thomas H. Kunz Innovation in Bat Research Honor: BCI is pleased to announce we will offer a new Student Scholar 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 Conservation Science Award: an honor to an outstanding woman student from a developing country (low-income and lower to middle income countries as defined by the World Bank. This recognition comes with an additional $500 in support of the student’s professional development.Promoting Diversity in Conservation Award: to a student who includes a component in their proposal to promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of conservation science. This award comes with additional support for the proposed program, up to $500. 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.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Students must be a registered graduate student (Ph.D. or Masters) and in good standing with a recognized academic institution.Graduate research must fit the priority categories as defined in this RFPEligible use of funds is limited to direct project costs.

Ineligibility

BCI is bound by the laws of the United States of America, and therefore may not be able to make financial awards to nationals of certain countries or to persons or institutions specifically barred from receiving such financial support by the U.S. government.Previous BCI Student Scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply.Note: a student regains eligibility if they successfully completed the project and degree for which they received a scholarship and are now in a new degree program (e.g. a student received a scholarship during their Master’s program, and now are pursuing a PhD).BCI requires that all sponsoring universities and institutions do NOT take overhead, administrative, or indirect costs from the awarded grant monies.