Application for the 2022 West Africa Mammal Fellowship is now open! The fellowship includes a hands-on field-based workshop and a post-workshop mentorship program. Mentorship includes project supervision, equipment/book loans, mini-grants, and help with grant applications. Successful applicants will be invited to the workshop. Only workshop participants will be invited to apply for mentorship.

​

The Guinean Forest of West Africa is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, yet conservation remains a budding enterprise, limited by the expertise of local scientists and conservationists. As a result, West Africa has been identified as a regional priority for capacity building in Africa for bats (Bat Conservation Africa, 2016) and pangolins (IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, 2020).

​

The West Africa Mammal Fellowship aims to strengthen the capacity of post-graduate students through training, mentorship, and networking, thereby raising scientists and  conservationists to secure the future of biodiversity in their home countries. The fellowship is organized through a synergy between SMACON and Project Mecistops, along with multiple regional and international institutions and universities. Our ethos is grounded in dedicating time to designing, raising funds for, executing, and ultimately publishing original research that advances knowledge in evolution, ecology, and conservation. We are firmly committed to the principle of generating and relying on conservation evidence to drive effective intervention efforts. Ultimately, this fellowship will drive multi-disciplinary research for the conservation of small-sized, often neglected mammals in the region. This year, we will focus on bats, pangolins, rodents and nocturnal primates.

​

The workshop is taught by renowned local and international professors and conservationists who generously volunteer to raise future leaders in the region.

​

WHAT STUDENTS STAND TO GAIN

• Mammalian evolution, ecology

• Survey techniques and handling skills 

• Equipment/book loans and mini-grants

• Research/conservation project mentorship

• Attendance is fully funded

 

ELIGIBILITY

• Masters/Doctoral students

• Secure support of institutional supervisor

• Committed to mammal research/ conservation

• West African students only (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo)

 

WORKSHOP DATES

Venue: Okomu National Park, Nigeria

Date: 10th - 15th March 2022

​

APPLICATION DEADLINE

25th January 2022

​

Got questions? Email the SMACON office at info@smacon-africa.org

​

Note that a gmail account is required to complete the application.