Directory of Protected Areas in East Asia - IUCN

Directory of Protected Areas in East Asia: People, Organisations and Places
board of respected scientific and humanities
scholars. The Center’s role is to
undertake significant research that
addresses scientific, environmental, and
public policy problems and issues. To
date, Earthwatch has sponsored over
1,000 research projects worldwide, contributing
over $37 million to scholarship.
Over 50,000 volunteers have participated
in conservation research since 1972.
Research has been undertaken in protected
areas in China, India, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia
(www.earthwatch.org).
An affiliate of the Earthwatch Institute,
the Center for Field Research funds
research that addresses scientific,
environmental, and public policy problems
and issues. After peer review, the
research programme is presented to
Earthwatch for funding. The mission of
Earthwatch is to promote sustainable
conservation of natural resources and
cultural heritage by creating partnerships
between scientists, educators, and the
general public. Both organisations are
committed to promoting public appreciation
of the pure and applied sciences.
Earthwatch awards grants on a per
capita basis, determined by multiplying
the per capita grant by the number of
volunteers deployed to the project. Per
capita grants average $900 (range $250
to $1,200), and project grants average
$25,000 (range $7,000 to $130,000)
annually. A typical project would employ
from 15 to 60 total volunteers, with 5 to
10 volunteers each on 3 to 6 sequential
teams. Each team normally spends 1–3
60
weeks in the field. Shorter and
longer-duration teams are encouraged
where appropriate. The financial and
volunteer structure of each grant should
be discussed with the appropriate programme
staff member at the preliminary
proposal stage, before a full proposal is
submitted.
Each grant can be renewed annually,
contingent on staff evaluations of the
project’s scientific, logistical, and
budgetary success in the field. They
encourage long-term research projects
and request that principal investigators
indicate their projected research term;
Earthwatch renews about two-thirds of its
grants each year.
Contributions from volunteers and
sponsors compose the principal
investigator’s field grant. Volunteers also
donate time, services, and skills to the
field research and pay their own travel
expenses to and from the research site.
Earthwatch grants cover the following
expenses: food, accommodations, and
in-field transportation for the research
team (Principal Investigator(s), research
staff, and Earthwatch volunteers);
Principal Investigator travel to and from
the field; leased or rented field
equipment; insurance; support of staff
and visiting scientists; and support for
associates from the host country.
Earthwatch does not provide funds for
capital equipment, principal investigator
salaries, university overhead or indirect
costs, or preparation of results for
publication.