Second Call for WSCS Student exchange grants

 Second Call for WSCS Student exchange grants will open Jan 1st, 2026

The second call for the new student exchange grant will be open Jan 1^st to Jan 31^st 2026. The grant can be up to 1.000€. See the detailed description below for the requirements and procedures.

WSCS and its affiliated societies, NASPS and GRS, focus on the conservation, restoration, development, awareness, and wise use of sturgeon and paddlefish fisheries. Further, the Societies seek to promote and evaluate the development and advancement of sturgeon and paddlefish fisheries science and management.

The purpose of this grant is, in line with the mission of WSCS, to promote conservation activities and the transfer of knowledge on sturgeon conservation between different entities. Fostering students and young professionals to build and share know-how on the numerous aspects required for successful conservation activities, is a key for the survival of these long-living species. Hence the goal of this grant is to support people already engaged in sturgeon research and shall enable capacity building to maintain efforts in the field.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

• The grant can only be awarded to students or young professionals up to 35 years of age within two years of the finalization of their last degree.
• The grant can only be awarded once in a lifetime.
• The applicant needs to provide a letter of recommendation from both the home as well as the hosting organization.
• Applicant, home supervisor and host must be WSCS members in good standing.
• The applicant needs to provide an outline on the goals of the exchange, the benefits for sturgeon conservation overall and the benefits for both sending and receiving institutions in their respective activities for sturgeon conservation.
• Minimum duration of the exchange is 14 days, and the exchange must be between different countries.
• The awardee is required to take pictures of their research activities and provide a summary of the exchange for the WSCS website as well as give a presentation at a WSCS student presentation day.
• Two grants per year are available and they cannot exceed 1000€, a decision on the amount or a split thereof lies with the WSCS board.
• The calls for grants open on Jan. 1^st each year and July 1^st each year with one grant each.
• The applications must be sent to ws***********@***il.com
• After a check on eligibility of the formal requirements listed above, a decision on awarding the grant is taken by the WSCS board within their next board meeting via vote.