Tufts Elephant Conservation Alliance (TECA)

To further its mission of promoting elephant conservation through education, research, and service, the Tufts Elephant Conservation Alliance is seeking proposals for projects that will be carried out during the summer months. 

The TECA grant program is designed to support students engaged in field research. If your research involves international travel, you must adhere to all Tufts travel protocols and register your trip with the Tufts Travel Registry. For students unable to travel, we encourage the submission of proposals for research that can be conducted remotely, utilizing domestic or online resources, or collaborating with individuals in the target countries.

Who:  Graduate, undergraduate, or professional students from any Tufts campus.  Student projects must be sponsored by a faculty mentor.  Collaborations between Tufts campuses or with other institutions of higher learning, conservation-driven non-profits, or corporations are encouraged.  Students who have ideas for projects but aren’t sure about who might serve as a faculty mentor should e-mail the Center for Animals and Public Policy (capp@tufts.edu) with a brief description of your idea.  The Center, which is administering the program, is compiling a list of potential projects and will assist in matching you with a mentor.

What:  Research, communication, education, art, or service projects that contribute to conservation and/or protection of African or Asian elephants.  These could include but are not limited to:

• Contributions to basic understanding of elephant behavior, ecology, and health
• Investigations into the cultural, economic, and political drivers of the trade in elephant ivory or other elephant parts
• Novel technical, cultural, economic, and political approaches to deterring trade in elephant ivory or other elephant parts
• Projects to develop, apply, and/or evaluate innovative methods to mitigate human-elephant conflicts
• Analyses evaluating and suggesting improvements of elephant conservation policies
• Evaluation of health and welfare of captive elephants potentially involved in conservation programs
• Projects that communicate via any medium to a wide or novel segment of the public about elephant conservation and its challenges

Costs Eligible for Grant Funding include:

• Travel costs according to Tufts travel policies including economy air, train, or bus fare; automobile mileage or car rental; onsite lodging, and food
• Supplies, and equipment items costing no more than $500
• For projects requiring a full-time commitment of at least 8 weeks, a student summer stipend of up to $5,000; proposals that require less effort are welcome and the stipend will be adjusted on a pro-rated basis

Application and Award Process:

• Application form must be filled out and submitted by April 1^st to be considered for summer funding that same year.  Please note that the mentor’s signature is required.
• E-mail the application as an attachment to the Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy, capp@tufts.edu, along with a current résumé.  
• All proposals will be reviewed by a TECA research subcommittee consisting of at least three members representing at least two Tufts campuses. 
• Applicants will be notified of their awards no later than April 30th.

Awardee Requirements:

• Within one (1) month of the end of the award period, the awardee will be required to submit a final report describing the work done under the award along with any findings, products, or outcomes. Details of the report will be worked out with the mentor, who will sign off on the final version.
• Awardees will also be required to keep a weekly journal describing and reflecting on their work on the project. 
• Awardees who are conducting field work are especially encouraged to write and illustrate a blog. Photographs and other illustrative materials are also welcome.
• With the awardee’s permission, all submitted materials (journals, blogs, photos, reports) may be posted on the TECA website. 
• Your last payment is contingent upon TECA's approval of your final report and project completion, ensuring that all requirements and objectives have been met satisfactorily.

Contact Information:
Dr. Allen Rutberg
Director, Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Email: capp@tufts.edu
Phone: 508-839-7991

Ellen McDonald
Director, Edwin Ginn Library
Fletcher School, Tufts University
Email: Ellen.Mcdonald@tufts.edu
Phone: 617-627-3858