Bat Conservation International (BCI), a nonprofit based in Austin, Texas, runs an annual Student Research Scholarship for graduate students researching bat conservation.
Scholars carry out their own project, wherever it is based, with BCI funds and join BCI’s global scholar network. Projects must fit one of three priorities: human-caused environmental change, bat–human conflict, or threatened and data-deficient species.
Benefits & funding
- US$5,000, paid in full by wire transfer once the Scholarship Agreement is signed.
- For direct project costs only; the host institution may take no overhead.
- Extra honors and awards of up to US$500 each, e.g. the Women in Science Award (women from the Global South) and the Equitable Conservation Award.
- The agreement usually runs one year (March to March); one interim and one final report are due.
Eligibility
- Currently registered M.Sc. or PhD student in good standing at a recognized academic institution; any nationality.
- The project must relate to bat conservation and fit a priority category.
- You write the proposal and conduct the research yourself.
- Past BCI Student Scholarship recipients are barred unless seeking funds for a new graduate degree.
- Projects using unpaid technicians are not funded; research must start within six months of the award.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Submit proposal, US$ budget and budget justification through BCI’s SmarterSelect portal by 31 October 2026, 11:59 pm CDT; emailed files are not accepted.
- 2Secure one recommendation letter, preferably from your supervisor, by the deadline; applications without it are not considered.
- 3One proposal per applicant per cycle.
Program timeline
Applications open
1 October 2026
Application deadline (11:59 pm CDT)
31 October 2026
Decisions
By February 2027 (typical)
Usual scholarship period
March 2027 – March 2028