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2027 CRP Request for Proposals

Matching Â鶹Æƽâ°æ students and faculty with external partners to conduct applied research

Overview

The Institute for Integrative Conservation (IIC) at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ invites 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 Â鶹Æƽâ°æ 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: 

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

Through collaborative, student-led projects, we aim to foster long-term partnerships with conservation organizations and communities to develop integrative solutions (i.e. , bridging disciplines, knowledge systems, and sectors) to conservation challenges.  

Program Schedule

Students will collaborate with mentors from partner organizations and faculty to complete applied research through the year-long program in 2027. The program schedule is as follows: 

• Spring 2027: 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 2027: Students receive a research stipend and travel support from the IIC to conduct full-time research for 10 weeks. 
• Fall 2027: 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. The IIC will provide the structure, financil and research support for the students to complete the applied projects, but we ask partners so serve as mentors on the projects to ensure the projects align with your goals. To ensure the impactful projects, we ask that partners commit to the following: 

• Meet bi-weekly (primarily online) with students throughout the program to ensure the project remains applied and relevant to advancing conservation outcomes. 
• If student travel is required, work with the IIC to help plan and host students, ensuring that travel aligns with Â鶹Æƽâ°æ policies and is both productive and safe. 
• 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: 

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

We accept proposals across a wide range of disciplines and applied subjects. However, Â鶹Æƽâ°æ students and faculty have particular expertise and interest 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 assessment, planning, and action 
• Conservation entrepreneurship 
• Applications of artificial Intelligence and new technologies in conservation 

You can review past projects here. 

    

Photos: (L) W&M students and partners from Conservation Through Public Health sample gorilla scat to explore water-borne disease transmissions in gorillas, humans, and livestock in Bwindi, Uganda. (C) Ava Fischer '26 surveys the alpine landscape in Colorado while studying rancher perspectives on human-carnivore conflict in the American West and Humla, Nepal. (R) Mandy Joyce '26 tests a low-cost water sensor that W&M students and faculty developed in collaboration with local communities and Conservation International Madagascar. 

Partner Benefits

Partners will receive support from a Â鶹Æƽâ°æ 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. The partner organization and faculty mentor will not receive any monetary compensation for participation in the program. 

Selection Process

The IIC will select up to 15 projects in 2027 based on: 

• The research’s potential impact on conservation outcomes. 
• The development opportunities for Â鶹Æƽâ°æ students. 
• The feasibility of the project within the one-year timeframe and given student capacity. 
• The alignment of the project with faculty research expertise. 
• The partner’s enthusiasm for mentoring students and collaborating with the IIC. 
• Our budget and capacity. 

Submit a Brief Project Proposal for 2027

Interested partners should submit a brief summary of the proposed research project by May 1, 2026, using the link below. Partners will be notified in August 2026, student applications will open in Fall 2026, and the program will start in January 2027. 

Note: You do not need to include defined research questions in your proposal. Students and faculty will collaborate with you in Spring 2027 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). 

 

Due: May 1, 2026 

For questions or to discuss potential research projects, please reach out to Dr. Richard Gyamfi Boakye, IIC's Research Program Manager, at rboayke@wm.edu.

Thank you for your interest in partnering with the IIC to advance conservation solutions.