Open call for young professionals: Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarships 2018!

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Each year the EUROPARC Federation, with support from the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S., awards three Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarships to promising young conservationists, who are committed to working for the benefit of Protected Areas. The aim of the scholarships is to enhance international cooperation and to advance the quality, innovation and European dimension of Protected Area management.

Each scholarship is worth €3.000 and enables successful applicants to undertake a study visit on a particular theme to one or more Protected Areas in European countries.

The call is open to all young professionals studying or working in topics related to Protected Areas in Europe. Conditions to apply:

  • candidates must be under 35
  • have a European nationality
  • be employed by a Protected Area or nature conservation organisation
  • or be a student or a recently graduated student

Applications for study visits to prepare master or doctoral thesis will not be considered.

5 steps to win your Scholarship:

1) Choose one category

The application must address one of the following selected themes faced by Protected Area Management:

2) Apply

To apply, candidates must submit:

  • Application form – that includes your motivation letter, the proposed programme of your study visit and contact details of protected areas you want to visit
  • Curriculum vitae (max. 3 pages) – EU format (Europass)
  • Letter of reference
  • Proof of enrollment into a University Programme, copy of the Diploma, or proof of employment

Applications due on 4th May 2018 at 15:00 pm and must be sent to t.pastor @ europarc.org.

Download the complete Guidelines and the application form.

3) Be awarded at EUROPARC Conference 2018

The winners of the Alfred Toepfer Natural Heritage Scholarship will be awarded in Scotland, at EUROPARC Conference 2018.

The Alfred Toepfer Stiftung E.V.S will generously cover your travel expenses and participation at the biggest gathering of Protected Areas professionals! This year, especially, we will be looking at the important contribution of youth to our European Protected Areas, so there will be plenty of opportunities for you to learn, network and share experience.

4) Travel and Learn

fungi as a tool for biodiversity, Plitvice Lakes National Park

Photo by Eduardo Batista, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

The scholarship covers your travel costs to one or more protected areas in Europe. Visiting different countries enables you to gather new perspectives and deepen your subject of study. Check out the example of Bryonny Slaymaker or Ágnes Balázsi, who visited 5 protected areas in several countries, or Eduardo Batista who made a deep study in one protected area.

5) Share your results

After the trip, the scholars are expected to present the Federation their findings within a report and a short film. These reports are made available to EUROPARC members, as they are full of interesting facts on observation and solutions to common Protected Area management issues.

You will find all the reports since 2007 in our library and in this page you can learn more about the past scholarship winners.

The scholarships enhance international cooperation and the advancement of quality and innovation, and promote the European dimension of Protected Area management.

Need inspiration?

Get to know the previous winners of Alfred Toepfer Scholarship!

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