Are you a West African postgraduate student interested in small mammal research and conservation? The West Africa Mammal Partnership (WAMP) and Fellowship (WAMF) programs may just be the opportunity you need to strengthen your capacity in small mammal research and conservation. The programs were set up to bridge gaps through multiple pathways that together bend the curve for biodiversity loss in the regions, thereby safeguarding a future for small mammals in West Africa.
The program is committed to generating and relying on conservation evidence to drive effective intervention efforts. It is a multi-regional and international collaboration between institutions and universities, with regional in-country partners recruiting and collaboratively supervising fellows under existing projects. Fellows receive support from both in-country and international mentors, as well as training on hands-on field techniques, specialized topics in ecology, and skills such as GIS, statistics, and molecular techniques. They also receive a mini-grant and access to equipment.
The program is divided into two stages: a classroom and field course, and a mentorship program. The SMACON Post Graduate Fellowship is designed to run for the duration of postgraduate studies, and it offers several benefits, including research grants, book and equipment loans, mentorship from renowned scientists, networking and collaboration opportunities, and the chance to join the West Africa Mammal Partnership post-Ph.D. The fellowship also provides bilingual communication in English and French for field courses and all communications.
To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must be admitted to or enrolled in a postgraduate program in a West African university, have a supervisor who is one of the partners of the West Africa Mammal Partnership, be keen on small mammal research and conservation, and conduct their intended research in West Africa based on small mammal studies and conservation. They must also be available to attend a 2-week intensive field course.
The application deadline for the SMACON Post Graduate Fellowship is January 25, 2024. To apply, candidates must fill out an online application form before the deadline. All applicants will be reviewed by a team of conservation and research experts, and selected applicants will be contacted for an all-expense paid 2-week field course. After the course, all applicants are to submit carefully designed project proposals within 2 weeks, approved projects will be notified, and owners awarded fellowships. Fellows will be assigned mentors and become eligible for all associating fellowship benefits.
Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to enhance your skills and contribute to small mammal research and conservation in West Africa. Apply for the SMACON Post Graduate Fellowship today!
