Request for Applications – ENDhERI Student Grants (Maldives)

The Government of the Republic of Maldives through the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy is implementing Enhancing National Development through Environmentally Resilient Islands (ENDhERI) project financed by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and assisted by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) with the objective of enhancing reef protection, resilience and ecosystem recovery by reducing development impacts in a selected project site in the Maldives, enabled for replication nationally through public awareness and integrating the values of marine biodiversity and other natural capital.

This project aims to assist the government of the Maldives in its implementation of new environmental policies and transition towards national adoption of Green Growth atoll development that will sustain marine Natural Capital (NC) and strengthen the resilience and recovery of reef ecosystems. This will be informed by learning from atoll-wide integrated coastal zone management within a Managed Marine Area / Biosphere Reserve framework, and the application of innovative sustainability practices and standards in agriculture, fisheries, tourism and construction sector as the basis for transforming the human ecological footprint in Laamu Atoll, and taking this up to national level through sector transformation, and improved governance based on NC accounting. The intermediate objective of this transformation is to minimize pollutants from land and marine based activities into the adjacent marine environment and reduce marine-based drivers of reef degradation including baitfish and reef fisheries. Overall, the project seeks to enhance reef ecosystem integrity and resilience through sustainable management, reducing development impacts and integrating NC accounting into national planning.

Objective

• The focus extends beyond biodiversity conservation, encompassing aspects relevant to business and accounting professions in the corporate sector. Additionally, the project aims to facilitate student placements with organizations engaged in marine research and offer internships specifically focused on Natural Capital.

Funding Information

• The funding amount is capped at a maximum of MVR 100,000.00.
• The maximum duration for the funded activity is Twelve (12) months from the date of the award.

Who can apply?

• Maldivian students currently enrolled in postgraduate programs in universities recognized by the Maldives Qualifications Authority, including those studying in foreign institutions.

General Criteria

• Eligibility:
  • The grant is open to all postgraduate students interested in conducting research projects and those intending to undertake research as their thesis within their respective degree programs.
  • Applicants must be Postgraduate (or equivalent) Degree students from Maldives.
• Focus Area: Research Projects can focus on, but not limited to;
  • The main focus of the research project MUST be in the field of Natural Capital Accounting.
  • Research projects should emphasize the integration of Natural Capital Accounting principles into various aspects of environmental research.
• Research scale:
  • The grants are designed to aid small-scale or pilot projects, emphasizing support for initiatives of limited scale rather than large-scale endeavours.
  • Ideally, the grant should cover 50% to 100% of the project costs.
  • In cases where the ENDhERI Student Grant is not the sole source of funding, evidence of support from other sources will be required.
• University Approval:
  • The project must have endorsement and approval from MQA accredited University.
  • A brief letter of support from the supervisor must be submitted along with the application.
• Research Focus Area: Research can focus on, but not limited to;
  • Environmental Footprint Analyses for different sectors.
  • Identifying Mechanisms for Integrating Natural Capital Accounting and Biodiversity Targets into Different Business Planning.
  • Species and Ecosystems Analysis and Accounting.
  • Research Projects can focus on particular species, ecosystems, or both, addressing issues related to biodiversity, habitat preservation, and ecosystem health.
  • The scope can include threatened habitats, major issues like human-wildlife conflict, and community education.
  • No restrictions on projects focusing on threatened habitats, emphasizing a holistic approach to conservation.
• Species Analysis and Accounting:
  • Projects can focus on particular species or have a more general focus, such as on a threatened habitat or major issues like human-wildlife conflict.
  • Projects can consider working on any species, provided it fulfils the IUCN Red List criteria.
  • Consideration for projects on species not yet assessed but thought to be threatened is encouraged.
• Exclusions: The following categories of projects will NOT be eligible for support.
  • Research which does not align with focus area.
  • Pure research with no obvious conservation benefit.
  • Expeditions, particularly where the applicant must raise funds to participate.
  • Attending conferences or seminars.
  • Publishing books.
• This comprehensive set of criteria ensures that the ENDhERI Student Grant supports a diverse range of projects within the Natural Capital Accounting framework, including species, ecosystems, and broader environmental considerations.
• ENDhERI Small Grants will support activities relating to the above key projects within the student’s Postgraduate program. Each Student is allowed to submit only one application of their preferred project.

For more information, visit Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy.