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Institute for Integrative Conservation

Request for Proposals for 2026

We invite proposals from faculty and conservation partners for student-led research projects that advance solutions to conservation challenges

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Submit a Proposal for the 2026 Conservation Research Program

We invite proposals from faculty and conservation partners (e.g., non-governmental organizations, government agencies, tribal governments, private corporations, Indigenous peoples, and local communities) for applied research projects that address conservation challenges. These projects will be conducted by William & 玛丽 undergraduate students, supported by faculty with expertise in the field, and in close collaboration with conservation partners as part of the IIC's year-long Conservation Research Program. Whenever possible, we also work with partners to involve students from local academic institutions. 

The objectives of the program are to:

  1. Support conservation partners with applied research to advance their conservation goals.
  2. Help build the capacity of the next generation of conservation leaders.

Submit a Proposal by May 1, 2025

Program Schedule

Students will collaborate with mentors from partner organizations and faculty to complete applied research through the year-long program in 2026. The program schedule is as follows:

  • Spring 2026: Students work with faculty mentors and conservation partners to co-design a project proposal. This includes defining project objectives, conducting a literature review, compiling data, and outlining the research approach.
  • Summer 2026: Students receive a research stipend and travel support from the IIC to conduct full-time research for 10 weeks.
  • Fall 2026: Students finalize analyses, complete reports and deliverables, and communicate their findings to partners and other stakeholders.

Note: We also have a semester-long Conservation GIS Lab and semester-long research project options that your proposals may be considered for as well.

Partner Commitment

Our goal is to bridge the research-action gap in conservation by co-designing research projects that advance conservation outcomes while building students' research and professional skills. To ensure the impactful projects, we ask that partners commit to the following:

  1. Meet biweekly (primarily online) with students throughout the program to ensure the project remains applied and relevant to advancing conservation outcomes.
  2. If student travel is required, work with the IIC to help plan and host students, ensuring that travel aligns with William & 玛丽 policies and is both productive and safe.
  3. Support students in developing the leadership and professional skills necessary for effective conservation work.

Characteristics of an Ideal Project 

We seek projects that address gaps or expand the scope of conservation work, especially those that explore integrative aspects of conservation challenges. Ideal projects should:

  1. Address an applied need for the partner organization or community
  2. Be feasible for undergraduate students, with faculty support, to complete within a year.
  3. Contribute to advancing impactful conservation solutions.

We accept proposals across a wide range of disciplines and applied subjects. However, William & 玛丽 students and faculty have particular interest and expertise in the following topics:

  • Community science
  • Applied social science research
  • Multispecies and convivial conservation
  • Biology, animal behavior, and landscape ecology
  • GIS and remote sensing applications for conservation planning and action
  • Conservation entrepreneurship
  • Applications of artificial intelligence and new technologies in conservation

You can review past projects here

Partner Benefits

Partners will receive support from a William & 玛丽 student and a faculty mentor to complete applied research that meets the needs of your organization. This includes deliverables such as manuscripts, technical reports, databases, educational curricula, interactive maps, short films, artistic outputs, business models, or marketing materials. Note: The IIC does not provide monetary compensation for mentorship.

Selection Process 

The IIC will select up to 15 projects in 2026 based on:

  1. The research’s potential impact on conservation outcomes.
  2. The development opportunities for William & 玛丽 students.
  3. The feasibility of the project within the one-year timeframe and given student capacity.
  4. The alignment of the project with faculty research expertise.
  5. The partner’s enthusiasm for mentoring students and collaborating with the IIC.
  6. Our budget and capacity.

Submit a proposal by May 1, 2025

Interested partners should submit a brief summary of the proposed research project by May 1, 2025, using the link below. Partners will be notified in August 2025, student applications will open in Fall 2025, and the program will start in January 2026.Note: You do not need to include defined research questions in your proposal. Students and faculty will collaborate with you in Spring 2026 to co-design the project focus.

To submit a proposal, please complete the survey linked below with the following information:

  1. Your contact information and the name of your conservation organization.
  2. A brief summary of the proposed project (~200 words).
  3. A brief explanation of how this project will advance your organization’s conservation outcomes (~200 words).
  4. Project requirements (language skills, necessary qualifications, and travel requirements).

Submit a proposal by May 1, 2025

Please feel free to reach out to Erica Garroutte, IIC’s Research Program Manager, with questions or to discuss potential research projects. Thank you for your interest in partnering with the IIC to advance conservation solutions.