The Society for Conservation Biology is pleased to solicit applications for the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program. These Fellowships enable outstanding early-career scientists based at a United States institution to improve and expand their research skills while directing their efforts towards problems of pressing conservation concern for the United States. The Program especially encourages individuals who want to better link conservation science and theory with
pressing policy and management applications to apply. We envision that the cadre of scientists supported by the Smith Fellows Program eventually will assume leadership positions across the field of conservation science. Fellows are selected on the basis of innovation, potential for leadership and strength of proposal.
Smith post-doctoral Fellows will be awarded two years of support for applied research in the field of biological conservation. Fellowship applicants must have received their doctorate within the last five years, demonstrate high potential for innovative research and leadership in their field, and propose a research plan that creatively and effectively addresses a pressing conservation question. Each Fellow is mentored by both an academic sponsor who encourages the Fellow's continued development as a conservation scientist, and a conservation practitioner who helps to connect the Fellow and her/his research to practical conservation challenges. Fellows must secure sponsorship from an academic sponsor at an institution in the United States well-suited to carrying out the proposed research. Each fellow will choose a field mentor with expertise and experience in "on-the-ground" application of conservation science and who is associated with a government agency, nongovernmental organization, or other conservation organization. Applicants who arrange for mentors and research sites before submission of their application provide the review panel with strong evidence of initiative and leadership, and help to ensure that proposed research is
relevant to conservation practices. Fellowships are spent primarily at the sponsoring academic institution or at the location best suited to conducting the research; up to four weeks each year will be spent in professional development training.
Smith Fellows in 2011 will be selected for their leadership potential, and their ability to conduct innovative applied research that promises to improve the effectiveness of conservation practice. Emphasis is placed on research that will advance conservation science. Research approaches may include comparative studies, synthetic analyses across sites, experimental or observational studies, applied modeling, or any combination.
Individuals with outstanding, innovative skills in research and communication are encouraged to submit Fellowship applications with research proposals aimed at the above or any other issue relevant to conservation biology. The Program expects to select four Fellows in January 2011 for appointments to start sometime between March-September 2011. Fellowship awards include an annual salary of $50,000, benefits, and generous travel and research budgets.
*Eligibility and Award Terms*
Eligible individuals must have completed their doctorate within the past five years or by the time the award is made in 2011. Applicants who have not yet completed their doctorate must clearly indicate on the application the date the degree is expected.
Each Fellow will receive an annual salary of $50,000 plus benefits, with the post-doctoral position expected to run for two consecutive years. In addition to the stipend, each Fellow receives a travel budget of over $8,000 and a research fund of more than $32,000 across the 2-year fellowship period.
Fellows will spend up to four weeks per year during their fellowship attending orientation and training events. These offerings provide opportunities to cultivate professional networks and to gain better understanding of applied research needs. Fellows will participate as a group in three or more Program-sponsored meetings, conferences, or professional development events each year. Each Fellow also will consult with their mentor(s) to identify and secure additional opportunities to
learn about problems and issues in applied conservation. Beyond these obligations, Fellows are expected to pursue the research outlined in their proposal full-time.
Fellows will be employed by the sponsoring academic institution. The Program will provide up to 5% of the total indirect costs as overhead reimbursement to this institution. Second-year renewal of the fellowship is contingent upon satisfactory progress (including but not limited to participation in orientation, training, and professional development events) as well as timely completion of detailed interim and first-year activity reports.
*Deadlines and Contact Information* All application materials, including letters from sponsors and references, must be received by Society for Conservation Biology to smithfellows@ conbio.org by 5pm EST on *September 24, 2010*. The selection process begins immediately after this date. There are no extensions to this deadline and incomplete applications may be disqualified. Questions about the application process may be directed to the Smith Fellows Program at smithinfo@smithfell ows.org .
More details about the application and the selection process are available at http://www.conbio.org/smithfellows/.
Please quote 10 Academic Resources Daily in your application to this opportunity!
