Fact sheet (.pdf 22KB)  

WCS Graduate Scholarship Program

Information on the program at the wcs.org web site disappeared during the recent revamp. An up to date fact sheet is here, and information on past and present scholars and fellows, their study topics and universities are on this page.

Commitment to Training Future Leaders

The WCS Graduate Scholarship Program provides international standard graduate education opportunities to exceptional conservationists from Africa, Asia and Latin America and from North American indigenous groups. Individuals are selected based on their potential to become conservation leaders, influencing local or national conservation in their home country. WCS believes that effective conservation ultimately depends on trained, knowledgeable individuals working in the field with an understanding of the local environment and cultural context. In addition, effective conservation requires information and future conservationists need to be able to appreciate and understand the potential and limits of knowledge. Graduate-level education provides a strong foundation and background in science that will enhance the Scholar's effectiveness as a conservation professional.

Support for Scholars

The GSP is funded from an endowment established by The Christensen Fund, the Starr Foundation, the Robertson Foundation and the Sperry Fund. The GSP assists selected scholars in identifying an appropriate institution of study; the award covers the costs of graduate school application fees, preparation and fees for exams such as the GRE and TOEFL, visa processing fees and ESL instruction as needed. Once matriculated, the GSP provides $30,000 towards tuition, room, board and a stipend, with the exact arrangement dependent upon the institution the scholar chooses to attend.

Application Process for WCS Graduate Scholarships

Each year, WCS-Global Conservation field staff nominate applicants by the March 1st. Applications without WCS endorsement will not be considered. For information on how to contact WCS staff in your region, email wbanham@wcs.org. Applicants are usually notified of decisions in June, and tuition awards begin with matriculation the following year.

Past & Current Graduate Scholars

1. Angkana Makvilai (Thailand, Clive Marsh Conservation Scholarship) to study Conservation communication at University of Texas (El Paso), USA (awarded in 2009)
2. Santi Saypanya (Laos, Clive Marsh Conservation Scholarship) Conservation communication at University of Texas (El Paso), USA (2009)
3. Sam Ayebare (Uganda, Tellus Leadership Scholarship) Mapping conservation impacts from natural resource extraction in the Albertine Rift at University of Rhode Island, USA (2008)
4. Nsengiyunva Barakabuye (Rwanda, Beinecke African Conservation Scholarship) Conservation and development at University of East Anglia, UK (2008)
5. Bayarbaatar Buuveibataar (Mongolia, Clive Marsh Conservation Scholarship) Saiga conservation and ecology at University of Massachusetts, USA (2008)
6. Arjun Gopalaswamy (India, Clive Marsh Conservation Scholarship) Tiger conservation at University of Oxford, UK (2008)
7. Iwan Hunowu (Indonesia, Clive Marsh Conservation Scholarship) (2008)
8. Inaoyom Imong (Nigeria, Beinecke African Conservation Scholarship) Cross River gorilla ecology and conservation at Max Planck institute, University of Leipzig, Germany (2008)
9. Petch Manopawitr (Thailand, Clive Marsh Conservation Scholarship) Marine conservation and climate change at University of Victoria, Canada (2008)
10. Robert Marquez (Colombia, Christensen Conservation Leaders Scholarship) (2008)
11. Germain Mavah (Congo, Beinecke African Conservation Scholarship) MSc at University of Florida, USA (2008)
12. Joseph Maina Mbui (Kenya, Christensen Conservation Leaders Scholarship) Coral reef conservation and climate change modelling at Macquarie University, Australia (2008)
13. Santi Saypanya (Laos, Robertson Big Cat Conservation Fellowship) (2008)
14. Deo Kujirakwinja (Democratic Republic of Congo, Beinecke Scholar) (2007)
15. Simon Nampindo (Uganda, Beinecke Scholar) (2007)
16. Kore Tau (Papua New Guinea, Christensen Scholar) (2007)
17. Souvanny Ounmany (Laos, Christensen Scholar) Conservation Biology at Columbia University, USA (2007)
18. Jargal Jamsranjav (Mongolia, Christensen Scholar) (2007)
19. Li Lishu (China, Christensen Scholar) (2007)
20. Rodolfo Nallar (Bolivia, Robertson Big Cat Conservation Fellow) (2007)
21. Dennis Babaasa (Uganda, Beinecke Scholar) Wildlife Fisheries Conservation at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, USA (2006)
22. Natacha Nssi Abiaga Bengone (Gabon, Beinecke Scholar) study Biological and Environmental Science at the University of Sterling, UK (2006)
23. Leo Legra (Papua New Guinea, Christensen Scholar) Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas, USA (2006)
24. Enock Kaledemimo (Papua New Guinea, Christensen Scholar) Tropical Biology and Conservation at the University of Missouri at St. Louis, USA (2006)
25. Rodolfo Chang (Nicaragua, Christensen Scholar) Marine Policy at the University of Maine, USA (2006)
26. Shaun Grassel (Lower Brule Sioux, Christensen Scholar) Wildlife Management at the University of Idaho, USA (2006)
27. Supagit Vinitpornsawan (Thailand, C.V. Starr Fellow)Wildlife Fisheries Conservation at the University of Massachusetts -Amherst, USA (2006)
28. L. Purevjav (Mongolia, Robertson Big Cat Conservation Fellow) Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul, USA (2006)
29. Innocent Liengola (Democratic Republic of Congo, Beinecke Scholar) Environmental Management at Yale University, USA (2005)
30. Malik Marjan (Sudan, Beinecke Scholar) Wildlife Fisheries Conservation at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, USA (2005)
31. Robert Bino (Papua New Guinea, Christensen Scholar) Australian National University (2005)
32. Carolina Gomez Posada (Colombia, Christensen Scholar) Conservation Biology at the University of Washington, USA (2005)
33. Harry Alexander (Indonesia, C.V.Starr Fellow and Clive Marsh Grant) Environmental Law at Lewis and Clark University, USA (2005)
34. Nikolai Kazakov (Russia, Robertson Big Cat Conservation Fellowship) Social Aspects of Conservation at the University of Florida, USA (2005)
35. Daniel Idiata (Gabon, Beinecke Scholar) Forestry, Urban Planning and Regional Development at Laval University, Canada (2004)
36. Clement Inkamba (Republic of Congo, Beinecke Scholar) Applied Ecology and Conservation at the University of East Anglia, UK (2004)
37. Shinta Pardede (Indonesia, Christensen Conservation Leadership Scholar) Marine Biology at Boston University, USA (2004)
38. Silvio Marchini (Brazil, Robertson Big Cat Conservation Fellowship) University of Oxford, UK (2004)
39. Sanjay Gubby (India, C.V. Starr Fellow) Wildlife Management at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, UK (2004)
40. Banak Gamui (Papua New Guinea, Christensen Scholar and Clive Marsh Grant) Tropical Biology and Conservation at the University of Missouri at St. Louis, USA (2004)
41. Chanthavy Vongkamheng (Laos, C.V.Starr Fellow and Clive Marsh Grant) University of Florida, USA (2003)
42. Inogwabini Bila-Isia (Democratic Republic of Congo, Beinecke Scholar) Wildlife Management at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, UK (2003)
43. Alfred P. Kikoti (Tanzania, Beinecke Scholar) Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, USA (2003)
44. Richard Malonga (Republic of Congo, Beinecke Scholar) University of Minnesota, USA (2002)
45. Tharcisse Ukizintambara (Rwanda, Beinecke Scholar)Environmental Studies at Antioch New England Graduate School, USA (2002)
46. Hariyo Wibisono (Indonesia, C.V.Starr Fellow) Wildlife Fisheries Conservation at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, USA (2002)
47. Omaliss Keo (Cambodia, Christensen Scholar and Clive Marsh Grant) Ecology and Conservation at the University of East Anglia, UK (2002)
48. Evgeniy Gladyshev (Russia, Christensen Scholar) Environmental Management at Yale University, USA (2001)
49. Susan Matambo (Zambia, Beinecke Scholar) Environmental Management at Yale University, USA (2001)
50. Leandro Castello (Brazil, Christensen Scholar) Conservation Biology and Environmental Policy at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, USA (2001)
51. Charles Michira (Kenya, Beinecke Scholar) Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul, USA (2000)
52. Martha Bechem (Cameroon, Christensen Scholar) Wildlife Management at Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent, UK (2000)
53. Michel Masozera (Rwanda, Beinecke Scholar) Forest Science at the University of Florida, USA (1999)
54. Omari Ilambu (Democratic Republic of Congo, Beinecke Scholar) Landscape Ecology at Yale University, USA (1998)
55. Arthur R. Mugisha (Uganda, Beinecke Scholar) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, USA (1997)
56. Jean Remy Makana (Democratic Republic of Congo, Beinecke Scholar) Forestry at Oregon State University, USA (1996)