Graduate Research Scholarship in Primatology - ASA Peru

The Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon is pleased to announce its 2017 Graduate Field Biology Scholarship in primatology!

AWARD AMOUNT: Roughly $4,000 (food & lodging)

SCHOLARSHIP PERIOD: May – August/September 2017

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 17, 2017

FULL DESCRIPTION:  https://goo.gl/njdLhA

BACKGROUND/ABOUT THE FIELD SITE

The Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon’s (ASA) field site is located in the southeastern Peruvian Amazon. Many large vertebrate species, including the largest primates (e.g., howler and spider monkeys) have been extirpated locally. Several species of smaller primate remain in the area, however, including dusky titi monkey (Callicebus brunneus), night monkey (Aotus nigriceps), brown capuchin (Sapajus macrocephalus),), squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis), and saddleback tamarin (Saguinus weddelli).

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Part of the ASA’s mission is to conserve biodiversity in southeastern Peru. To achieve this goal we promote and engage in biological research and monitoring that provides the baseline data upon which comprehensive management strategies for wildlife and biodiversity can be created. Currently very little is known about even the basic biology of the majority of species in the region, including the effects of forest clearing and fragmentation on animal ecology. Given the disproportionate importance of certain vertebrate species to seed dispersal and thus forest dynamics—especially medium and large primates—we seek to fund research that will generate a basic understanding of the demography, as well as the spatial and feeding ecology, of these species.

We invite proposals for projects to explore demography, spatial ecology, and/or feeding ecology (or related topic) of our target species.  The exact nature of the proposed research project is open, but should be in line with the ASA’s goal of promoting conservation. Please note that at this stage we can not authorize the trapping or handling of vertebrate species at our field site; proposals, therefore, should be for observational research only.

Upon completion of the scholarship period the awardee will be required to furnish the ASA with a report detailing key findings, as well as copies of any publications resulting from funded field work, when available.

The scholarship will cover food and lodging for a period of up to four months (15 May – 15 September, 2017). Researcher accommodations are in shared dormitories, and three meals and snacks are provided each day. The scholarship does not cover the cost of travel to Puerto Maldonado, or the cost of medical/travel insurance.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants should be graduate students (M.Sc., Ph.D.) who are currently enrolled (or will be during Fall 2017). Outstanding undergraduate students (e.g., those who wish to complete a capstone study) and at-large applicants will also be considered.

Proof of medical and/or travel insurance is required for all researchers at the field site, and proof of insurance should be presented before an award is granted.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your current CV, including contact information for two references, as well as a 2-page proposal outlining your intended study in the Peruvian Amazon to info@sustainableamazon.org

The proposal should include a brief introduction to the specific study topic, detailed methods, and expected results, if applicable. References should be included at the end of the proposal, and do not count towards the 2-page limit. The application deadline is March 17, 2017.