The Kaplan Graduate Awards Program (KAP) was created
to help develop the next generation of wild cat biologists. The program
supports the conservation efforts of outstanding young biology graduate
students working on wild felids in situ. We welcome
applications for projects on all wild cat species in all regions. Award
amounts vary; the maximum is $25,000. All Kaplan Awards are granted for
one year, but renewals for subsequent years may be requested. Funding
for subsequent years will be decided based on the progress and results
reported for the first year’s activities, and is not guaranteed.
Eligibility
The KAP is designed to support projects on wild cats with a
conservation focus and a significant field component. Applicants must be
post-graduate students pursuing a higher degree (MSc., PhD or
equivalent).This is a prestigious award with a very competitive approval
process. Successful candidates will demonstrate outstanding academic
credentials and conservation experience, field experience that has
prepared them to undertake the proposed work, and a history of
publishing work in peer-reviewed journals and/or ‘soft’ publications
such as reports, magazine articles, web sites, etc.
Species and Location
The Kaplan Graduate Awards supports wild cat conservation and
research projects in all areas of the world where wild cats are found.
Although work on all wild cat species is considered, preference is given
to species that are endangered, threatened or vulnerable on - in order
of priority - a global, regional, or local scale. Applications for work
on species that do not meet these criteria will have a stronger chance
of approval if they can demonstrate that their results can be applied to
other species or other areas with greater conservation outcomes. In
addition, sites with high conservation significance will be given
priority.
Budget Guidelines
The KAP will consider applications for up to $25,000 annually, for
both project and tuition costs. However, preference is given to projects
requesting primarily field and research costs. Panthera will not
consider large requests for expensive first world university tuition,
except in exceptional cases where the applicants are nationals from
developing countries and provide convincing rationales that the
institutions will provide critical graduate training that is not
available in their home country.
