The Amazon Scholarship Programme (ASP) is an initiative of the CREES Foundation aimed at young people, university and postgraduate students, researchers and experts within their fields that can contribute to the CREES vision.  CREES aims to create opportunities in the Amazon for people who have a passion and commitment to sustainability, education and development yet lack the financial or logistical support to transform their projects & ideas into reality.

The CREES Foundation has secured $135,000 USD in funding for research work based at the Manu Learning Centre (MLC) during 2009 and 2010.  The funds can be used to cover transport between the MLC and Cusco, accommodation and food at the MLC, and certain equipment or materials for both the principal applicant and local assistant(s). The concept behind the scholarship is to provide affordable research opportunities primarily for Latin American applicants and additionally for international applicants.

There is no specific scientific or academic requirement for the scholarship.  CREES welcomes applications from people with any background such as engineers, anthropologists and biological scientists to use the programme to explore how their fields and skills can make a difference in the long term future of the Amazon.  Long-term research associations are looked upon preferably as are ones with community benefits.

The scholarship programme is not a project funding mechanism for salaries, administration and logistical issues such as international or national flights.  Its key aim is the promotion of sustainable, affordable investigation within the region of Manu, in Madre de Dios, Peru.

Application Notes.

1. Applications deadlines are on the first of January, May, and September every year.  Late applications will be automatically put forward for the next deadline.
   
   
2. Please allow a minimum of 6 weeks between your deadline submission and the date you wish to start the research.
   
   
3. Please utilise the transport dates when selecting your entry and exit dates.  The ASP is only able to be used for travel from/to the MLC on these days.
   
   
4. There is no time limit on projects.
   
   
5. Projects should fulfill at least two of the following criteria:
• Advance existing knowledge of the environment.
• Address pressing global issues such as climate change, pollution etc.
• Improve sustainability and function of local resources.
• New or improved language skills of participants.
• New formal or informal knowledge unavailable from local sources.
• Skills enabling greater participation and understanding of politics and local government.
• Long term support/assistance agreements.
• Collaboration with local people, including skill transfer.
• Projects should be inclusive and accessible to all.

Our current areas of special interest include:

Sustainable agriculture                              Soils
Carbon research,                                       Forest dynamics
Extractive industries                                  Environmental education

Project application process

1) Download an application form in English or Spanish:

www.crees-foundation.org/docs/ASP_Application-English.doc

www.crees-foundation.org/docs/ASP_Application-Espanol.doc

2) Submit before the deadline to research@crees-foundation.org

(minimally 6 weeks before your research is due to start)

            1st January                              1st May                       1st September