Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

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Fellowship Program

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), is a division of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and maintains research facilities for marine and terrestrial research at various locations on the Isthmus of Panama. STRI offers fellowships for undergraduate, predoctoral and postdoctoral research in the areas represented by its scientific staff. Disciplines include ecology, anthropology, paleontology, paleoecology, evolutionary biology, molecular phylogenetics, biogeography, animal behavior, neurobiology, soils sciences, and physiology of tropical plants and animals.

Fellowships administered directly by STRI

Earl S. Tupper 3-Year Postdoctoral Fellowship (deadline 15 of January of each year): Applications should include a research proposal with budget, curriculum vitae, 2 letters of recommendation, and names of 3 additional references. Applicants should consult with STRI scientists asked to serve as advisors before submitting the final application.

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Short Term Fellowships (deadlines: February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year). Support is provided to carry out short-term research projects in the tropics.

Download Application Form and Guidelines
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Fellowship Program for students in Latin America (deadlines: February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15). Support is provided for short-term projects and internships. Candidates must be from universities in Latin America, particularly Central America and Panama.

Download Application Form and Guidelines
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A. Stanley Rand Fellowship Program (deadlines: February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15). Support is provided for short-term research in the tropics focused on animal behavior, natural history, evolutionary biology, plant and animal ecology and environmental monitoring.

Download Application Form and Guidelines
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Applications to STRI may be submitted in either English or Spanish. They should consist of one (1) printed copy, plus one electronic copy of all requested materials. The electronic copy should be submitted on a CD or by e-mail (to fellows@si.edu), as a single file in Word, WordPerfect, or preferably PDF, including application form, proposal with budget and CV. Send hard copy of the application to STRI/Office of Academic Programs, Unit 0948, APO AA 34002-0948 (from the US); or Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Panama from elsewhere.

For more information and instructions about STRI fellowships visit www.stri.org, or contact Adriana Bilgray to fellows@si.edu

Postdoctoral fellow Jessica Stapley from Australia, conducts experiments to determine if dewlap colors change during the life of the lizard, if females care about color or if these influence male contest success.

Additional Information

Smithsonian Institution Programs

The Smithsonian Institution through its Office of Research Training and Services in Washington, DC also has fellowship programs that include research at STRI.

SI 10-Week Graduate Student Fellowships (deadline 15JAN08): For graduate students or PhD students not advanced to candidacy to carry out research under the guidance of a Smithsonian staff member.
SI Postdoctoral, Senior Postdoctoral and Predoctoral Fellowships (deadline 15JAN08): Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered to scholars who have held the Ph. D. degree or equivalent for less than seven years. Senior Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered to candidates who have had their PhD for seven years or longer. Predoctoral Fellowships are offered to PhD students advanced to candidacy. Fellowships are from 3 months to two years depending on research.
SI Molecular Evolution Postdoctoral Fellowships (deadline: 15JAN08): For scholars who have held a doctoral degree or equivalent for less than seven years, to support research on an aspect of molecular evolution, population genetics, or systematics.
For more information on fellowships administered by the SI Office of Research Training and Services visit: http://www.si.edu/research+study

Note: Those applying to fellowships administered by the SI Office of Research Training and Services should also send one electronic copy of the entire application to fellows@si.edu.

Awards are based on merit, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or condition of handicap of the applicant.