RECOFTC & Wyss Academy for Nature Research Fund 2025 (up to $10,000)

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About RECOFTC & Wyss Academy for Nature Research Fund

Background 

RECOFTC is dedicated to enhancing community forestry practices across the Asia-Pacific region, recognizing the vital role that sustainable forest management plays in achieving landscape resilience. The Wyss Academy for Nature offers a new approach to tackling pressing issues at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity loss and land use change, as well as understanding their implications for human wellbeing and inequality.

Aligned with the global sustainability goals, RECOFTC and the Wyss Academy for Nature are offering small grants to support researchers exploring innovative solutions that enhance ecosystem resilience while addressing local, community needs in the Asia-Pacific region.

RECOFTC and Wyss Academy are delighted to partner with Kasetsart University in supporting research in Southeast Asia with this research grant scheme.

• Sponsor Organisation: RECOFTC

Benefits of RECOFTC & Wyss Academy for Nature Research Fund

• Applicants should present a rationale and motivation, along with a detailed budget with expenses clearly linked to the specific steps of their fieldwork. The budget should not exceed USD $10,000 and should be more than USD $5,000. Depending on the grant submissions received, there will be up to four small grants offered. Fieldwork should preferably be carried out in Lao PDR and Thailand. The grant can only cover direct costs associated with the field research activities. It does not include human resources, capital investments over USD $1,000, honoraria, compensation or consultancy fees.

RECOFTC & Wyss Academy for Nature Research Fund Requirements

• Affiliated with Kasetsart University or enrolled in a graduate programme at the university in forestry, agriculture, environmental science or a related field with a focus on community engagement and sustainable practices (with an emphasis on integrated solutions for agriculture, watershed management and/or forestry).
• Research focus on Southeast Asia, with preference for research performed in Lao PDR and/or Thailand.
• Research methodology must be participatory and actively involve local communities. It must also align with the promotion of sustainable forest management.
• Researchers must be committed to sharing findings with stakeholders, including local communities and policymakers.

Note: The funding period covered is from 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026.

Grant selection criteria

• Technical appropriateness of research
• Benefits and potential application in community forestry or integrated landscape management
• Research methodology
• Involvement of local community and partners/stakeholders
• Research communication
• Supporting RECOFTC and Wyss Academy for Nature overall programming for the region (with an emphasis on Lao PDR and Thailand)
• Realistic timeline and budget
• Co-funding where applicable

Grant recipient qualifications

• Academic background
• Interest, involvement and experience working on the research topics
• Commitment to get local people involved in the research process
• Support from advisor and committee members

Budget plan

• Clear, detailed budget plan
• Realistic costs

Application Date and Process

The application should be submitted to [email protected] by 3:00pm, Bangkok time, on 31 December 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. 

The application should contain the following: 

• Motivation letter
• Research plan – should not exceed six pages (including the following sections):
  • Title
  • Background and rationale
  • Research aims and partners
  • Research methodology
  • Timeline
  • Anticipated results
  • Detailed budget plan
  • Support letter from advisor

Application Deadline

31 December, 2024

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