Student Grant Program

The Student Grant Program (SGP) administered by the Neotropical Grassland Conservancy (NGC) aims to support graduate student research that contributes to the conservation of grasslands across the American tropics. NGC is a private organization with a strong commitment to advancing scientific research and conservation outcomes for Neotropical grassland ecosystems. The SGP was launched in direct response to feedback from Venezuelan academic professionals, who highlighted the lack of funding available to graduate students for field-based research. The grant specifically addresses the need for financial support covering essential research-related expenses such as transportation, lodging, meals, and consumable field supplies. Applicants eligible for this grant must be Latin American students currently enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. program at a university located in either the United States or South America. The funding opportunity is designed to enhance opportunities for students from Latin America, ensuring they can access the necessary resources to carry out field research projects with a focus on conservation. By enabling the completion of critical conservation projects, the SGP aligns with NGC’s broader mission to preserve and understand grassland ecosystems through empirical science and community engagement. Applications are reviewed by the SGP committee along with two external reviewers. The review process places strong emphasis on the student's demonstrated commitment to conservation, the scientific merit and feasibility of the proposed project, and how closely the proposal aligns with the mission of the NGC. There is no mention of pre-application requirements, such as letters of intent or concept papers, simplifying the process for applicants. Applications are accepted on a triannual basis with deadlines on April 1, August 1, and December 1 of each year. This regular cycle allows for repeated opportunities to apply, and the program can be considered recurring. Successful applicants receive a single award disbursement of $1,500 USD, sent directly via bank transfer. Awardees are required to submit a year-end report summarizing the results of their project and detailing how funds were utilized. Completion of this report qualifies recipients to apply for additional future funding from NGC. As part of its recognition efforts, NGC also awards the Christopher Miller Outstanding Student Award annually, selecting the most promising project report submitted by a student grant recipient for a supplemental award of $500 USD. Inquiries regarding the program may be directed to NGC via their general contact email: info@conservegrassland.org. All applications must be submitted by the stated deadlines and should follow the instructions provided by the SGP committee. The recurring and predictable nature of the program provides a consistent opportunity for Latin American graduate students to seek funding and contribute to grassland conservation efforts.

Focus on how the proposed project contributes to grassland conservation and aligns with NGC’s mission. Clearly demonstrate personal commitment to conservation.