Partner FAQs
What is an IIC conservation partner?
If you are passionate about finding solutions to protect environmental biodiversity and human wellbeing, you are already our partner in conservation, and we invite you to partner on IIC projects and programs. Integrative conservation acknowledges we all have a rely on biodiversity, impact biodiversity in different ways, and can bring different expertise and solution options to a conservation challenge.
The IIC works with an inclusive and diverse community of conservation practitioners with cross-sector and cross-cultural knowledge to achieve conservation outcomes. Our current partners include small and large conservation NGOs, non-profit organizations, land trust groups, local, regional, state and federal agencies, educational institutions, and tribal communities. We also work with corporations that have a commitment to conservation, entrepreneurs interested in conservation, and local communities leading conservation initiatives. We are open to exploring new kinds of partnerships with different individuals and groups. We consider a conservation partner to be an individual, group or entity that is external to W&M, and is a current, past, or potential future partner in conservation with the IIC.
How can conservation partners get involved in the conservation research program?
Conservation partners are invited to submit proposals to the IIC for applied research that will be completed by students with faculty support as part of the Conservation Research Program. Join our mailing list to get notified of the RFP opening, each spring. You may also review our current and past CRP projects, and review the basics of the proposal and project selection process.
What is requested of conservation partners involved in the program?
We have found that regular meetings ensure that the project develops in alignment with the conservation partner’s goals and limit the overall time commitment of partners and maximize the benefits of the program for partners and students. We ask conservation partners involved in the Conservation Research Program to commit to brief, regular meetings with W&M students throughout the duration of the year-long program. We ask partners to provide support with organizing and hosting student travel if required for the research (IIC will help with travel costs). We ask partners to help provide students with opportunities to learn about careers in the conservation field and help them build the professional skills and networking needed to be effective conservation leaders.
What are the project deliverables?
The deliverables are defined by the conservation partners who proposed the project. The students are required to submit a research proposal and a written report summarizing their research findings and its relevance to conservation outcomes. The format of the report, however, is defined by the partner based on the partner needs. Students are asked to complete any other additional deliverables predefined by the external partners such as maps, social media campaigns, business models, policy briefs, education curricula, etc. that meet a need for the partners. These deliverables are defined by the partner, student, and faculty early in the program.
What is the program schedule?
The year-long program begins in January (for project proposals submitted the prior spring). During this time students work with partners to narrow the scope of the project. They spend the spring term developing their research proposal. The following summer, students complete the research over 10 weeks, working 30 hours/wk. Students are supported with an IIC research stipend during this time. The fall after the summer research students work with partners and faculty to complete a report and/or other project deliverables, and the student communicates their research and findings at a public event.
Is direct funding available to the conservation partner?
No. The IIC does not directly compensate or fund conservation partners. However, the support the IIC provides for the student reduces the direct cost of the research for faculty and conservation partners. The IIC provides students with:
- A summer research stipend
- Travel support if needed
- Field and research materials support (if the expenses meet IIC and W&M policies and aligns with our budget)
In addition, the IIC absorbs student training costs via the program lab, and significant administrative, logistic, or other “overhead” type of expenses that might otherwise be part of a research budget.
