IRES Wildlife Conservation Training Program in the Caribbean

Application deadline October 30th, 2024 at 11:59pm.

The Institute of Environment (IoE) at Florida International University is seeking 4 outstanding undergraduate students and 2 graduate students to participate in IoE’s International Research Experience for Students Program (IRES). This is a research training program in wildlife conservation in the Caribbean archipelago of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Our project will focus on endangered parrots and cetaceans (whales and dolphins). This opportunity is only open to students currently enrolled in a US university, and scheduled to graduate in Fall 2025 or later.

The IRES Wildlife Conservation Training Program in the Caribbean is a 1-year program for undergraduate and graduate students. The goal of this program is to help train the next generation of wildlife conservationists at a time when they are most needed. We seek to provide students with high-quality research, conservation and professional development opportunities in wildlife conservation and ecology. The unique combination of research and applied conservation work led by IoE scientists, and the cultural knowledge and local research experience of SVG partners, will serve as a platform for students to acquire proficient research and conservation skills, be involved in publications and participate in conferences, network with key conservation leaders, and partake in successful human development and outreach programs.

Students will be required to take three classes (0-3 credits):

1. Pre-field class; Spring 2025: 16hrs of course-work on SVG culture and history, wildlife research and conservation, conservation field methods, proposal-writing and scientific presentation tools.
2. Paid internship in SVG; Summer 2025: Four weeks of data collection on parrot or cetacean conservation in SVG. Students will learn how to do wildlife and vegetation surveys, socio-economic interviews and use of various field instruments and methods.
3. Post-field class; Fall 2025: 16hrs of course-work on statistics, data analyses and interpretation, report write-up, and presentations.

Participants are required to attend all three phases of the program, including all Spring and Fall classes. Activities include writing proposals, collecting data, co-authoring reports and potentially peer-reviewed scientific publications, giving presentations, and preparing media products about the experience.

While in the field, students will live together in a fully-equipped facility and will participate in various field and outreach activities. All field expenses (travel, equipment, room, food, travel insurance) will be covered, participants will only be responsible for personal expenses. Students will also receive a stipend for the 4 weeks of field work.

Students should have a strong interest in wildlife conservation, have basic knowledge of ecological research principles, be comfortable with spending 4 weeks in SVG working in forest and marine environments, and be willing to participate in physically demanding field-work. Students must be self-motivated and willing to assist in all program-related activities. 

Eligibility

• Undergaduates and graduate students scheduled to graduate in Fall 2025 or later are welcome to apply
• Must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States
• Must attend the entire 1-year program, including all Spring and Fall classes. 
• Undergraduates should have completed at least two semesters of coursework in environment-related topics.