Dear MAMAM¹ers, WDCS are delighted to announce a ³CALL² for project proposals to be considered for funding. The next deadline date is 1st May 2007 and further information can be found below or alternatively please visit www.wdcs.org/fieldprojects Application forms can be downloaded from the above website or alternatively please contact me (e-mail: - nicola.hodgins@wdcs.org) Thanks...... nicola WDCS Funding Application Guidelines WDCS provides funding for marine mammal researchers to conduct cetacean conservation science projects around the world. Who can apply? WDCS invites individual scientists, university affiliated researchers and non-governmental organisations to apply for funding. All applications will be treated on a case-by-case basis however preference will be given to applicants seeking funding for conservation research to be conducted in their country of nationality. (There are of course exceptions, e.g. areas where local expertise is lacking; however in these cases a capacity-building element for local researchers must be incorporated into the project.) When can I apply? There are to be 2 funding cycles per annum: - Application Deadline (1) 1st May Notification (on or before) 1st August Funding available from 1st September Application Deadline (2) 1st November Notification (on or before) 1st February Funding available from 1st March N.B. Applications for Emergency Funding will be accepted at anytime. How much can I apply for? WDCS grants are in general, small. There is however, no minimum or maximum amount that can be applied for. Please include a full budget as it is important to provide a complete overview of the project¹s financial commitments. Can I apply for multi-year funding? Multi-year applications are encouraged however WDCS will only commit to funding on an annual basis. Continued funding is reliant on several factors. Does WDCS cover salaries? In general, no, however we do cover basic living expenses. There are obviously exceptions and each project is considered on a case by case basis. Please include a salary component in your budget even if it is being paid by an alternative organisation/foundation. Does WDCS fund Invasive Research Techniques? WDCS is the worlds leading funder of non-invasive research methods however we also recognise that there are sometimes extenuating circumstances where invasive methods are required and a relatively immediate (and long-term) conservation/welfare benefit is the result. If your project plans to utilise such methods, please ensure that you complete the ³Invasive Research Questionnaire². WDCS takes the use of invasive research techniques very seriously and expect researchers operating through funding supplied by WDCS supporters to act accordingly. ALL alternatives should be considered before deciding on the inclusion of an invasive method and long-term monitoring considered. In addition to the normal ³funding process² (see below), projects that include an invasive research technique will be externally assessed by an Ethics Panel. Is there anything that WDCS does not fund? Yes (a) International flights. (b) WDCS will not fund captivity-based projects. (c) WDCS will not joint-fund projects with THE CAPTVITY INDUSTRY OR any organisation that has direct links to the captivity industry or joint-fund projects that have a portion of the funding coming indirectly from the captivity industry. N.B. ³Captivity Industry² relates to all establishments that keep cetaceans in captivity, this includes swim-with programmes. What is the application process? (1) All applications must be on a WDCS Application Form (2) If the project is to include an invasive research technique, an Invasive Research Questionnaire must also be completed (3) If the project is to include in-water research, an In-water Questionnaire must also be completed (3) Completed applications should be returned (by the appropriate deadline date see above), preferably by e-mail to nicola.hodgins@wdcs.org (N.B. the maximum size of completed application forms that can be received by the above e-mail account is 3MB, for proposals of a larger size please contact me for alternative arrangements) Postal applications will also be accepted, please send to: - Nicola Hodgins WDCS International Projects Co-ordinator 38 St Paul Street Chippenham SN15 1LJ Wiltshire UK (4) All applications will engage in the ³funding process² which includes: - (a) an internal review relevant regional, campaign and or theme leader; and (b) an external review conducted by an advisory panel of leading cetacean experts. WDCS Application Checklist (1) Completed Application form (2) If necessary, completed Invasive Research Questionnaire (3) If necessary, completed In-water Questionnaire (4) CV (5) All relevant publications, supporting documents etc. Thank-you and Good Luck! Nicola Hodgins International Projects Co-ordinator WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society WDCS UK Brookfield House 38 St Paul Street Wiltshire SN15 1LJ UK Phone: - +441249 449 537 Mobile: - +447841497597 Fax: - +441249 449 501 http://www.wdcs.org WDCS is the global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins and their environment. Pro-whaling countries are mounting their biggest attack for decades on the bans on commercial whaling and international trade in whale products. Whaling is cruel, unnecessary and unsustainable. Help WDCS in our campaign to stop bloody whaling for good it¹s time to act. http://www.stopbloodywhaling.org This e-mail's contents are confidential to the intended recipient(s) at the e-mail address to which it has been sent. It may not be disclosed, copied to, circulated or used by anyone other than the intended addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or have received this transmission in error please telephone the originator immediately or ring +44 (0)1249 449500. Any opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WDCS.