Student Research Grants

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Active members of the ISTS who have paid the annual membership fee.
• Applicants must not have been awarded a Student Research Grant within the last ISTS grant cycle;
• 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 current 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 September 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.

Preferred language: All applications should be prepared in English.

Use of AI: AI tools may be used only for language editing purposes, such as improving grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, or formatting. AI must not be used to generate scientific content, project ideas, research plans, budget justifications, or to identify or generate references and citations. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all proposal content is accurate and represents their original work. Citations used must be correct and relevant.

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. Please support your narrative with relevant within-text citations.

c. Research Aims and Objectives: Concise and clearly stated aims and objectives for the proposed research.

d. Research Methods: A short explanation of the research methods to be used in the project (including any applicable citations).

e. Anticipated Results: How will your findings contribute to sea turtle research, biology, 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 and Visibility: 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. Referees: Please provide details for two professional referees, including their name, affiliation, institutional or professional 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: Please provide full citation including DOI if available. Please check your citations for accuracy and relevance.

• Feasibility: The project and applicant are likely to achieve their proposed objectives; projects or proposed activities will be completed within the proposed timeline.
• Impact: Project objectives complement the ISTS Mission and Vision and contribute to addressing a specific threat(s) or meeting a specific conservation need(s). The project will also have an impact on the students’ degree and career goals.
• Completeness: Proposal addresses all items in the application form; project narratives are supported with relevant citations, and literature cited (including DOI links) is accurate.
• Visibility: Outcomes of funded research will 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.

• Proposal deadline – 15th September 2026 (11:59 GMT)
• Internal evaluation period for proposals - September to October 2026 
• Acceptance announcement – 15th October 2026
• Project duration – 12 months, end date: 1^st November 2027
• Deadline for final technical and financial report – 15^thDecember 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.