Student Research Grants

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Active members of the ISTS who have paid the annual membership fee.
• Students currently enrolled in an institution of higher education (college/university undergraduate or graduate student) who are in good academic standing. Academic standing will be verified with student references;
• Submission of a complete grant application (see below for application requirements);
• Applicants can only apply for one ISTS grant per grant cycle (e.g., one of the following: Innovation, Community Conservation, or Student Research grant);
• Applications must be approved by the students’ academic or research advisor or equivalent.

Application Deadline: Complete applications must be submitted no later than 15th January 2026, 11:59 pm GMT to: studentgrants@internationalseaturtlesociety.org. 

Applications must include the following: 

All applications must be in .PDF format and submitted as a single document file using the application form found HERE. File name should include the applicant’s SURNAME_FIRST NAME. All applications should be prepared in English.

Project application: Please complete the application form found HERE that includes the following: 

a. Introduction to the applicant: A description of past and present work, demonstrating your ability to carry out the research described in this application. 

b. Proposal Outline: A short narrative that outlines the background and justification for the proposed research. 

c. Research Aims and Objectives

d. Research Methods: A short explanation of the research methods to be used in the project. 

e. Anticipated Results: How will your findings contribute to sea turtle research and/or conservation?

f. Timeframe: A timeline and milestones for your research. 

g. Financial costs: Provide an itemised budget in USD including any other funding sources and any quotes you have received to support your budget.

h. Project Challenges: Describe any events or circumstances which may affect your ability to complete the project in the timeline shared above. 

i. Publication: It is generally expected that results will be shared with the sea turtle community through publication in peer-reviewed journals, newsletters, or magazines, on social media, or in presentations or webinars. Outline your plans for sharing the findings of your research. 

j. Student ID card: Paste a copy of the front and back of your current student ID card in the space provided on the application form.

k. Further information for the ISTS Board of Directors consideration: Is there anything additional you’d like to convey to the ISTS Board?

l. References: Please provide details for two references, including their name, affiliation, email address, and a brief sentence describing how they are familiar with your work. At least one of the referees must be your academic or research advisor or sponsor. If the research is being conducted in a different country to the school/college/university to which you are registered, then the second reference must be an individual based in the project country.

m. Literature cited

• Feasibility: The project and applicant are likely to achieve their proposed objectives; projects will be completed within the proposed timeline. 
• Relevance: Project objectives complement the ISTS Mission and Vision and contribute to addressing a specific threat(s) or meeting a specific conservation need(s). 
• Sustainability: The project will have an impact on the students’ degree and career goals.
• Availability: Outcomes of funded research should be available to the wider sea turtle community with either planned presentations of results at future ISTS Symposia or the ISTS webinar series.

Applications will be reviewed by the Student Research Grant Committee composed of a minimum of five ISTS Board Members. Reviewers who advise the student applicants or have an affiliation or collaboration on the proposed research will recuse themselves from the review. 

Awardees will be notified by email by 20th February 2026

• Proposal deadline – 15th January 2026 (11:59 GMT)
• Internal evaluation period for proposals - January to February 2026 
• Acceptance announcement – 20th February 2026
• Project duration - 12 months
• Deadline for final technical and financial report - 20th February 2027. Applicants must submit a final technical and financial report before applying for another ISTS grant. 

• Spend the money according to the approved budget; 
• Submit their final report of activities and expenses; 
• Share photos and additional materials relevant to the project; 
• Share project findings with the society via ISTS webinar series and/or ISTS Symposium presentation;
• Acknowledge ISTS support for the research on social media, websites, publications, reports, signage, educational materials, presentations at meetings, etc.