Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Seeks Letters of Interest for Undergraduate Conservation Research Program

The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is seeking short Letters of Interest from nonprofit organizations and academic institutions interested in developing a new nationwide program to engage undergraduate students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in rigorous research experiences in conservation biology and other disciplines relevant to land, water, and wildlife conservation. The program will be one of several efforts supported by the foundation to increase diversity in the land and wildlife conservation workforce.

The purpose of the program is to influence student choices regarding college majors, graduate education, and early career opportunities.

While program design will be determined by the grantee ultimately selected to develop and manage the program, the foundation will require all of the following program elements:

1) Research experience — meaningful and rigorous research projects appropriate for undergraduate students in conservation biology and other disciplines relevant to land, water, and wildlife conservation. A significant portion of each student's research experience should provide an opportunity for the student to work closely with scientists employed by conservation organizations (e.g., scientists employed by nongovernmental conservation organizations or governmental natural resource agencies) who are working on applied conservation problems.

2) Field experience — significant time outdoors to build a personal connection with the natural world through data gathering and other scientific work relevant to an assigned research project.

3) Cohort building — research experiences designed to accommodate a team of at least three students working together, as well as other activities to build camaraderie and peer-to-peer networks among program participants.

4) Career training — student exposure to conservation career options and leading professionals from underrepresented groups working in the conservation field.

5) Multiyear engagement — sustained engagement over the course of multiple years (e.g., a program that involves multiple summer experiences or runs year-round over the course of multiple academic years).

Programs also must include a dedicated program director and research mentors, as well as a paid stipend for participants.

The foundation anticipates awarding one grant of up to $500,000 a year for three years to support a single nationwide program that draws students from multiple academic institutions in the United States. A proposed program can consist of a collaboration of multiple organizations and involve multiple field research sites, but the grant will be awarded to a single lead organization.

Visit the DDCF Web site for complete program guidelines and to submit a Letter of Interest.

Primary Subject: Environment
Secondary Subject(s): Education, Children and Youth
Geographic Funding Area: National

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