Student FAQs

Am I eligible for the Conservation Research Program?

All enrolled W&M undergraduate students who plan to graduate after the year-long program ends in December are eligible for the program. If you are a senior who is graduating before the end of the year-long program and are, therefore, not eligible, we encourage you explore semester-long projects or enroll in conservation courses.

I am not majoring in integrative conservation, biology, or a subject that is directly related to conservation. Am I still eligible?

Yes! The IIC aims to bring together students with diverse expertise, majors, interests, and perspectives to develop integrative conservation solutions. The research projects require diverse skillsets, interests, backgrounds, and perspectives in this program. We are looking for students from all departments and majors to participate in the program.

Do I need to have previous research or conservation experience to apply?

No previous research or conservation experience is required. Students will be part of a lab, where they will receive support and guidance from conservation mentors, faculty, and fellow student researchers to complete the research. Students will be trained in research skills during the program.

What is the difference between the year-long Conservation Program and the semester research projects?

Both provide incredible opportunities for W&M undergraduate students contribute to research that advances real-world conservation solutions.

Semester projects: The semester projects engage students in projects proposed by external conservation partners that can be completed within a semester and have already defined objectives, which enables students to spend the semester building their research or technical skills. Students working on semester projects will meet with conservation partners a few times early in the semester to understand the context of the project and will then complete the projects with support from a faculty mentor and a small cohort of students.  The semester projects are a good fit for students who have some previous research experience or technical experience relevant to the research who are prepared to work independently on the projects.

Year-long program: The year-long program matches W&M undergraduate students with conservation mentors and faculty mentors to conduct an applied, real-world research project. The research is less defined and more complicated than the semester projects, so the student researchers will take a lead role in narrowing down the scope of the project, writing a proposal that defines the research approach, conducting the research, and communicating findings to partners. It is a good fit for a student interested in building their research and professional skills while working alongside conservation partners and faculty to tackle a challenging, real-world project. This program is a good fit for students who are eager to navigate a challenging project and would like real-world experience conducting applied conservation research.

What are the program requirements for the year-long program?

Students accepted into the Conservation Research Program are required to do the following each week throughout the program year:

• Meet with their conservation partner.
• Meet with their faculty mentor.
• Participate in a lab meeting with the student research cohort.

In addition, students are required to:

• Complete a written research proposal in the spring.
• Prepare and deliver a poster presentation in the spring.
• Work 30 hours per week for 10 weeks to complete the research over the summer.
• Complete a written research report in the fall.
• Give an oral presentation of results in the fall.

We ask students to ensure that they can commit to all program requirements and the entire duration of the program before applying.

What is the weekly lab meeting?

Successful conservation requires that we build a diverse community of creative leaders who can work together to apply unique perspectives, skills, and knowledge to advance solutions. Each week, students in the research program will meet with their cohort of fellow student researchers to cultivate community, support each other throughout the program, and build professional skills that will benefit students throughout their careers. The students in this cohort will most likely continue to be supportive colleagues for you throughout your careers, so it is important that all students in the program commit to being an active and supportive member of this research community. Participation in the weekly lab meetings throughout the program is required and has been one of the highlights of the program for past students. The weekly lab meeting will meet for one hour each week, during a regularly scheduled weekly time slot. The meeting time may change from term to term.

Can I do other programs or take vacations over the summer? 

Students accepted in this program are expected to commit to the full, year-long program and must be able to participate in the travel or other time commitments outlined in the project descriptions. This includes a commitment to complete the bulk of the research full time over the summer, which means committing to work approximately 30 hours per week over 10 weeks. Outside of the outlined program and project requirements, it may be possible for students to work with their faculty mentors and conservation partners to develop a project timeline that accommodates your summer vacations and other commitments. However, since the students and IIC have made a commitment to external partners that we will complete these important projects, it is important that students engaged in this program make this a priority to ensure they upload our commitment and to gain the full student experience.

Why is it important that I commit to the full year?

The research projects students will be leading were proposed by external conservation partners as projects that will meet an applied need for them to advance real-world conservation outcomes. The partners and faculty are committing their time and resources to help support students through the process of completing these applied projects and are committed to supporting students as they develop their own professional skills. A full year commitment provides an incredible opportunity for students to build a network of partners and mentors, to develop professional and research skills, and to learn about careers in conservation. To maximize the benefits of this program for conservation and for students, and to ensure that we respect and keep our commitment to partners and faculty, it is essential that students in the year long program commit to the full year. 

What if I cannot commit to a year-long program?

Students who cannot commit to the full year long program (January to December) are encouraged to apply for semester-long projects or for the Conservation GIS lab.

How will I interact with my conservation partners and faculty mentors?

CRP students will be assigned a conservation mentor from the conservation organization and a faculty mentor(s) from W&M who will guide them through the research. The role of the conservation mentor is to give students background on the context of the research project, how it will advance their conservation outcomes, and guidance on the applicability of the research to ensure it meets their needs. The conservation mentors are all professionals working in the conservation field, they are all eager to support students with applied research, with exploring career paths related to conservation and building the professional skills needed to be effective conservation leaders. The W&M faculty mentor(s) will support the students with the implementation of the applied research project, which includes helping you identify research objectives, conducting a literature review, writing a research proposal, completing the research, and communicating the research findings to partners and stakeholders. As the lead researcher on this project, the student will meet regularly with both mentors and will play an active role in leading meetings, taking notes, setting targets for the next meeting, asking for help when needed, and providing progress reports to your mentors. For many students in this program, interacting with conservation partners and faculty mentors is one of the highlights of the experience.

What is my role as the student researcher? 

CRP students are part of an interdisciplinary team of conservation partners and faculty mentors. Student(s) are responsible for the completion of the projects and will take ownership over the project. This means that the student is responsible for working with mentors to identify research objectives, complete the research, and communicate findings to partners and stakeholders. This requires that the student coordinates meetings, develops and tracks timelines, communicates with partners and faculty when support is needed, and ensures that project materials and data are organized and completed on time. Conservation is complex and the projects proposed are real-world projects that no one has answers for, so the student researcher can expect their project to change dramatically throughout the program as you narrow the scope, grow to understand stakeholder needs, and navigate challenges that arise. This requires that the student be flexible, resilient and willing to seek help when needed.

Is travel involved?

Travel is dependent on the project, and the duration and logistics for travel are determined before students apply for the program.  Should the project require travel, it will be a requirement for the student.

Will I receive academic credit for my participation in the program?

Yes. Students in the year-long program will enroll in a two-credit independent research course in the spring and fall semesters of the program. Students will work with their faculty mentors to identify independent research credits that align well with their major, the project, and their academic goals. Students will not receive academic credit for their work on the research over the summer. Students in the semester program will receive independent research credit for completing the research project. Students will work with faculty mentors to identify which course best aligns with their project, major, and academic goals.

Will I get paid?

Students in the year-long program will receive a taxable stipend of $4,000 to complete summer research. Students are not paid for enrolling in the CRP program or for classes or labs they take. Students are not paid in the semester-long program.

Are travel expenses covered?

The IIC will provide support for IIC students to travel in alignment with W&M and IIC policies. To receive travel support, students are required to complete a travel budget proposal and will be responsible for managing the budget and logistics for their own travel.

Is there a code of conduct?

Yes. Students in the CRP are representing themselves, the IIC, and W&M. In addition to following the W&M Code of Conduct, the IIC expects students to embody the IIC values to cultivate an inclusive community of conservation leaders, and to conduct themselves in a professional, considerate, and grateful manner when interacting with partners, W&M faculty and staff, local communities, stakeholders, and with students in the research cohort.

How do I learn more? 

Interested students are encouraged to review program materials on the IIC website and participate in or watch the “What I wish I had known…Conservation Research Program” information session to learn more about the program, projects, and application process.