CFVI Giving Away Funds For Environmental Studies

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has funding available to support studies and activities in the Caribbean that address environmental concerns which transcend the boundaries of a single island or island state. Funded by the Judith A. Towle Environmental Studies Fund at CFVI, up to $7,000 is available to support activities that include internships, research studies, workshops, seminars, lectureships, citizen science, or publications.

The Judith A. Towle Environmental Studies Fund was established at CFVI in 2003, in recognition of the work, interests, and commitment of Judith Ann Towle to increase environmental awareness in the Eastern Caribbean. Grants will be awarded based on the potential of the proposed project to promote an innovative and integrated approach to addressing shared environmental concerns across island boundaries, and for projects that contribute to transboundary solutions for environmental problems that threaten long-term environmental sustainability.

Applications may be submitted by (1) individuals who are residents of the insular Caribbean and (2) not-for-profit institutions based in the insular Caribbean. Graduate students may also submit applications for research projects focused on the insular Caribbean.

Applications will be reviewed by an advisory committee of individuals familiar with the award, the insular Caribbean, and environmental initiatives in the region.

The Fund is seeking projects that are original and innovative, and applications will be evaluated on how well the proposed activity is breaking new ground, rather than merely replicating projects that have been done before. In addition, applicants are encouraged to propose projects that demonstrate on-the-ground results, particularly for enhancing local education and citizen awareness.

For applications supporting a research activity, please note that the Fund only supports applied research studies, and the outcome or findings of the project should prioritize practical applications. If the proposed research is a piece of a larger field of study, but one to be executed on a local island platform, the applicant must demonstrate a working knowledge of the broader field of research and how the proposed project fits within this larger field of study. Additionally, the proposal should address how the research accommodates local resources and capacity.

Proposed projects need not identify multiple islands in order to extend project findings or tangible outputs beyond the physical boundaries of a single Caribbean island. However, the methodology employed and the anticipated results must demonstrate transboundary solutions that can be applied to shared environmental problems that extend across island boundaries.

Application Submission Deadline: September 30, 2021.

For more guidance on preparing and submitting a proposal, visit the CFVI website. Questions about this grant opportunity should be directed to general.info@cfvi.net.

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