Student & Young Scientist Awards

Alwyn Gentry Award for Best Student Paper

Alwyn Gentry's legacy to tropical biology was not limited to the phenomenal contributions he made to the study of diversity and conservation of tropical plants. He was a caring and supportive mentor to students from all over the Americas. In remembrance and recognition of the contributions of a singular scientist, colleague, mentor, and friend, the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation presents the Alwyn Gentry Award for the Best Student Paper each year at its Annual Meeting.

· Two awards are given each year, one for the best student oral presentation, and one for the best student poster.

All individuals who have been students within the previous 12 months are eligible, including those who have completed the Ph.D. within that period. The number of years of eligibility is not limited. The work must have been done by the student as the senior author on the paper. Two or more students may present a joint paper and would then split the award. All students who wish to be considered for the Gentry Award must indicate so on their registration forms. Award criteria are the following:

· ATBC membership

· originality of study

· contribution of the study to science

· breadth of the study

· quality of the research design and execution of the data analysis

· quality of the presentation, including audio-visual materials

The award recipients will each receive a $100 prize, plus a free one-year subscription to Biotropica and $100 in books from the University of Chicago Press. In addition, each of the winners will have their photograph and abstract published in Biotropica, as well as his/her bio published at tropicalbio.org.

The Committee reserves the right to make no award if it deems that no deserving paper has been presented or if fewer than five eligible papers are presented. All students who wish to be considered for the Gentry Award must indicate so on their registration forms.

Please submit proof of student status to Susan Laurence, Chair of the Evaluation Committee

Luis F. Bacardi Advances in Tropical Conservation Award

The ATBC is pleased to invite young conservation scientists to apply for the Luis F. Bacardi Advances in Tropical Conservation Award that is provided to the ATBC by an endowment from the Lubee Bat Conservancy, an international non-profit organization based in Gainesville, Florida. This organization was founded in 1989 by the late Luis F. Bacardi, and is dedicated to protecting biological diversity through the conservation of fruit- and nectar-feeding bats. The Award was established in 2005 and is designed to foster high-quality conservation science in the tropics and is awarded to the individual who gives the best oral presentation.

· Eligibility is limited to those who have received their Ph.D. no more than five years before the meeting date.

· The winner receives a certificate from the ATBC and a $300 award provided by the Lubee Bat Conservancy

· In addition to the honorarium, the winner of the award will have his/her abstract and photo published in BIOTROPICA as well as his/her bio published at Tropicalbio.org (see below, e.g. 2010).

If you like to be considered for the Luis F. Baccardi Award, please select this option in the registration form of ATBC2012 as well as submit a copy of your Ph.D. Diploma to Susan Laurence, Chair of the Evaluation Committee.

TRAVEL AWARDS

GUIDELINES FOR TRAVEL AWARDS

All students (graduate and undergraduates) and post-docs submitting abstracts as first authors are eligible for travel support. Travel support will consist of US$1000 awards for international participants (or Brazilian nationals based outside Brazil) and US$500 awards for Brazilian nationals (or international applicants currently based in Brazil). Applications should be submitted to Lúcia Lohmann by March 1st, 2012. Travel Awardees will be selected on the basis of scientific merit of their abstract and will be notified by 15th March 2012. Applications should include the following information:

1. Abstract of the research project to be presented at ATBC2012 following guidelines provided on the website. Please note that the applicant should be the first author of the abstract.

2. Short curriculum vitae (up to 2 pages).

3. A one page statement of interest describing the applicant´s qualifications, the reasons/goals for attending ATBC2012, and an indication of how ATBC will influence their research activities.

4. Proof of student (graduate or under-graduate) or post-doc status.