Partner Opportunities
The IIC aims to build long-term partnerships with conservation partners to advance integrative conservation solutions. We welcome a wide range of partners including but not limited to municipalities, tribal communities, nonprofit organizations (NPs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, educational institutions, and private corporations that are working to advance conservation solutions.
Our conservation partners are integral to the success of the Conservation Research Program (CRP). The program, created in collaboration with conservation partners, is designed to bridge the research-action gap in conservation to provide our conservation partners with applied, integrative research that aligns with and contributes to their conservation goals. The mentorship of conservation partners provides students an opportunity to build their professional skills and learn about conservation-related careers.
We encourage partners to submit proposals for applied, collaborative projects that they would like a W&M student to complete with support from W&M faculty. Partners are involved in the research program in several ways:
- CRP projects are submitted by our conservation partners based on their specific needs. Projects are applied and designed to deliver impactful conservation outputs.
- Partners receive no-cost support from a W&M student who completes the partners pre-determined applied research.
- Students are guided by a faculty mentor and the IIC Research Program Manager to complete the research. This includes the completion of deliverables identified by the partner, which may include a manuscript, technical report, organized database, interactive map, business model, marketing materials, or similar outputs.
- Designed to be a low-lift for conservation partners, the research is led by the student and the partner has a manageable time commitment.
- Partners have the opportunity to engage with W&M faculty and students in a unique interdisciplinary and collaborative model, giving ppartners the opportunity to meet faculty, students, and other partners who may have complementary skills and shared goals.
- Partners have an influent on the development of emerging conservation leaders.
