SCB Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation

Tropical rainforests of Nyungwe National Park in
Rwanda, where ICCB 2023 was held.

SCB Awards recognize scientists and institutions from around the world for extraordinary contributions to biodiversity conservation.

• SCB Global Service Awards are presented in even-numbered years at the Society’s International Congress for Conservation Biology.
• SCB Group Service Awards are presented in odd-numbered years when most SCB Groups host Regional congresses.
• The Society also presents Graduate Student Research Fellowship Awards annually.

The Society for Conservation Biology is dedicated to facilitating, promoting, and advancing the scientific study and conservation of biological diversity. The SCB Global network includes more than 3,000 members worldwide, professionals, students, organizations, and supporters collaborate together in a way that transcends borders to advance the SCB vision and mission.

SCB Graduate Student Research Fellowship Awards

Vratika Chaudhary won a Graduate Student
Research Fellowship Award in 2017.

SCB allocates awards funding to support ten graduate student members whose research advances the science and practice of conserving biological diversity. The fellowship is designed to support graduate students who need assistance with costs toward field expenses in order to complete their degree.

2024 Graduate Student Research Awards are closed.

The SCB Global Awards Committee administers the Graduate Student Research Fellowship Awards and evaluates applicants on merit and with respect to geographic, topical, gender and other aspects of conservation diversity.

Graduate Student Research Fellowship Awards will support field work, including travel, materials or equipment required to conduct research by graduate students.

Students must demonstrate financial need toward completion of graduate degree and graduate research must contribute to SCB’s mission to advance the science and practice of conserving Earth's biodiversity.

SCB Group Awards

Dr. Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho won the Edward T.
LaRoe III Memorial Award from the North
America Region in 2022.

SCB Groups present Service Awards every other year when most SCB Groups host congresses. The call for nominations for the 2026 SCB Group Service Awards will open in 2026.

About SCB Service Awards

SCB Regions, Working Groups, and Global Programs present one of the following types of Group Awards:

• Distinguished Service Award: Recognizes individuals, groups or institutions for distinguished service in any field associated with conservation biology and whose work has furthered the mission of SCB.
• Early Career Conservationist Award: Honors achievements in conservation by professionals early in their careers (no more than 10 years since leaving school). SCB does not apply an age criteria in order to enable eligibility for individuals who might have come to conservation as a second career.
• Edward T. LaRoe III Memorial Award: Given to an individual who has been a leader in translating principles of conservation biology into real-world conservation. Preference is given to employees of government agencies or individuals who have spent at least part of their career in public service. The intention of the award is to recognize the innovative application of science to resource management and policy.

Groups may have different names for their award that fall under the award types listed above. For example, the Africa Region presents its Young Women in Conservation Biology Award under the Distinguished Service Award category.

While current Society membership is encouraged, it is not mandatory for award eligibility. However, board members, specifically those serving on Group boards, are excluded from being considered as award nominees.

Read about the past SCB Group Service Award winners in the SCB News Blog.

Process

Valery A. Binda won a Graduate
Student Research Fellowship
Award in 2018.

Before you begin, remember to register for access to the submission platform. After registration you can login to the platform. Follow these five easy steps.:

1. Register

Click on the "Register" button (top of right column) and complete the registration form.

2. Login

Click the "Login" button (top of right column) to the platform with the email address and password you used to register in Step 1. 

3. Create

Create your online submission.

4. Save

During the Call for Submissions period, your submission can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the submission is saved. At any time, you can download and print your submission by clicking on the icon in the Submission Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, save your Submission as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your submission for your records by clicking on the icon in the Submisson Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Submission period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.

If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Award Administrator.