Feeback "Thank you Biosphere Expeditions and thanks a lot to Stormsaver. For me it was an eye-opening experience. I learned a lot; especially about wildlife and the biomes in which animals are staying." Ronny Huiseb, Namibia "My name is Alexandra Grigorieva; I'm 19 years old and I study biology in Novosibirsk State University. I was lucky to participate in a research expedition to the Altai mountains, organized by Biosphere Expeditions. The expedition was a great experience for me and gave me many impressions. For example, it was great to meet new people, especially from different countries. Getting the scholarship also gave me confidence in myself - that was really important for me, I now feel like I can achieve a lot. I also had a great experience communicating in English and after the expedition I also started to learn German as there were quite a lot of German-speakers on the expedition too. I also liked a lot the way the research was conducted - hiking all day, recording animals and their signs - it's so different from living in a city. I am very thankful to Biosphere Expeditions and Vascutek for providing me with such an opportunity." Alexandra Grigorieva, Novosibirsk, Russia. "I really learn a lot from taking part in the Musandam coral reef expedition as part of a scholarship. Even though I am a Divemaster, I discovered a lot of new things about Musandam and its marine life. This has helped me a lot in my professional development and I would love to be part of an expedition again." Badher Al Shehi, Musandam, Oman.   "As part of Biosphere Expeditions' staff engagement programme, I participated in Biosphere Expeditions' Musandam coral reef project whilst working for Six Senses in the Maldives. I was so impressed by the way the work was conducted that I suggested that a similar project be set up for Maldivian reefs. Two years and quite a bit of work later, an expedition was set up in the Maldives - a perfect example of a win/win situation for everyone coming out of a staff engagement programme." Anke Hofmeister, Marine Biologist, Six Senses Resorts & Spas   "The Biosphere/Stormsaver scholarship has not only given me fantastic field experience, but it has also helped give me focus on my future role in Namibian conservation and environmental education. There are very few opportunities like this for young Namibians and graduates, and I hope it can continue." Rachel Futter, Windhoek, Namibia. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Six Senses and Biosphere Expeditions for giving me this valuable opportunity in developing my knowledge and teaching me how to do reef surveys. I really appreciated this chance to take the initiative and do something for the benefit of my country, the Maldives." Sharif Hussein, Maldives (left) "I have got so much out of joining this expedition and would like to thank Biosphere Expeditions for enabling me to develop as a Reef Check trainer. The next step is to train others, develop a Maldives-based Reef Check team and start submitting data from Maldivian sites regularly." Kate Wilson, Marine Biologist, Soneva Fushi by Six Senses (middle) "I thank Six Senses and Biosphere Expeditions for this opportunity; for giving me the chance to do something for my country. I am now able to contribute reef survey data from Baa atoll and I am very proud to be a part of it all." Majid Birahim, Maldives (right) Interns & projects If you are interested in an internship, placement or simply doing some project work for Biosphere Expeditions on a voluntary basis, then please have a look at the tasks below. If you have your own ideas, then we would like to hear from you too. Please just get in touch with your local office. Task Location Duration Analysis of all social media (Twitter, Facebook etc) of  Biosphere Expeditions’ partners, affiliates etc to determine the level of reciprocation. Biosphere Expeditions will use the data gathered to encourage reciprocation. Norwich or remotely from your home 2-5 days       Analysis of post-expedition questionnaires - creating a database for them and entering data. Norwich 2-5 days       Database analysis & creating Excel macros for data truncation, bootstrapping and analysis. Norwich 2-5 days       Searching the internet and other resources for grant-giving and other bodies who can support Biosphere Expeditions & working with Biosphere Expeditions staff to develop & progress such opportunities. Remotely from you home Ongoing & open, but longer-term       1. Tell all your friends about us online and encourage them to join the Biosphere Expeditions Facebook page. 2. If you have been on expedition with us, then tell your local media about your expedition experience. We can help with sample press releases, pictures, high-quality videos, etc. Also blog about your experience in forums, blogs and other social media and upload your favourite group or expedition picture to the Biosphere Expeditions Facebook page, adding a caption telling the story behind it and tagging people in the photo. Remotely from your home About 2 days       We are looking for volunteer accountants in Australia and Germany (Steuerberater) who are able to prepare accounts in statutory format and submit tax returns. Preferably these volunteers will have been on an expedition with Biosphere Expeditions before so that they understand what we do, but this is not an absolute prerequiste. We have volunteer accountants in the UK and USA, who could talk those interested in this volunteering task through what's involved. Remotely from your home, meeting with Biosphere Expeditions staff once a year 1-2 days per annum Maldives Biosphere Expeditions and its partner Soneva Resorts Maldives are offering two free places to Maldivian nationals or residents with a dive qualification and English language skills to take part in a coral reef & whale shark study. More information about the study is at www.biosphere-expeditions.org/maldives. The two places will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a genuine interest in marine science and conservation or a career in this field. Successful applicants will then take part in the expedition from 2 – 8 September 2012 or from 9 – 15 September 2012, depending on availability. The successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in the marine environment and that they will use the experience to the benefit of the Maldive’s marine resources, carrying the message to other people and multiplying the effect of their experience. Requirements • Maldivian national or resident • Over 18 years of age • Qualified diver (PADI Open Water or equivalent) • Fluent English • A genuine interest in marine science and conservation or a career in this field • After the expedition, the successful applicant will hold two talks or events about his or her experience on the expedition, one to his peer group and one to the general public Application process Your application should include a cover letter stating who you are, why we should take you, what the experience would mean for you and how you are going to use it. The cover letter should also describe how you plan to fulfil the requirement of holding two talks or events as described above. Please also state that if chosen, which of the two periods above would be your preference. Finally, the cover letter should indicate clearly what your interest in marine science and conservation is. The application should also include information on your dive qualification and experience, a CV and a picture of you. Please send your application to Dr Matthias Hammer at m.hammer@biosphere-expeditions.org. E-mail applications are preferred and the application must be in English. The application deadline is 1 August 2012. Altai Biosphere Expeditions and its partner Vascutek is offering two free places to nationals or residents of the Russian Federation, with an emphasis on residents of the Altai Republic, with English language skills to take part in a snow leopard conservation expedition in the Altai Republic. More information about the expedition is at www.biosphere-expeditions.org/altai. The places will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a genuine interest in wildlife research and conservation or a career in this field. The successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in wildlife research and conservation and that they will use the experience to carry the message to other people and multiplying the effect of their experience. Requirements • National or resident of the Russian Federation, with an emphasis on the Altai Republic • Over 18 years of age • Good English language skills • A genuine interest in wildlife research and conservation or a career in this field • After the expedition, the successful applicant will hold two talks or events about his or her experience on the expedition, one to his peer group and one to the general public Application process Your application should include a cover letter stating who you are, why we should take you, what the experience would mean for you and how you are going to use it. The cover letter should also describe how you plan to fulfil the requirement of holding two talks or events as described above. Please also state that if chosen, you would be free to attend the expedition and indicate which of the periods (see www.biosphere-expeditions.org/altai) would be your preference (you can name multiple periods in order of preference). Finally, the cover letter should indicate clearly what your interest in wildlife research and conservation is. The application should also include your CV and a picture of you. Please send your application to Dr Matthias Hammer at m.hammer@biosphere-expeditions.org. E-mail applications are preferred and the application must be in English. The application deadline is 1 June 2012 and applicants will then be required to attend an interview in Novosibirsk or Gorno Altaisk sometime between 1 and 18 June 2012.   Read report by previous scholarship recipient 668.67 Kb Namibia Biosphere Expeditions and its partner Stormsaver are offering two free places to Namibian nationals with English language skills to take part in a leopard conservation project in central Namibia, near Windhoek. More information about the project is at www.biosphere-expeditions.org/namibia. The places will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a genuine interest in wildlife research and conservation or a career in this field. Successful applicants will then take part in the project for a two week period as detailed on www.biosphere-expeditions.org/namibia. The exact time will depend on availability of places on the project and the availability of the scholarship recipient. The successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in wildlife research and conservation and that they will use the experience to carry the message to other people and multiplying the effect of their experience. Requirements • Namibian citizen • Over 18 years of age • Good English language skills • A genuine interest in wildlife research and conservation or a career in this field • After participating in the project, the successful applicant will hold two talks or events about his or her experience on the expedition, one to his peer group and one to the general public Application process Your application should include a cover letter stating who you are, why we should take you, what the experience would mean for you and how you are going to use it. The cover letter should also describe how you plan to fulfil the requirement of holding two talks or events as described above. Please also state during which time period, if chosen, you would be free to attend and indicate which of the periods would be your preference (you can look at expedition dates at www.biosphere-expeditions.org/namibia). Finally, the cover letter should indicate clearly what your interest in wildlife research and conservation is. The application should also include your CV and a picture of you. Please send your application to Kristina Killian at k.killian@biosphere-expeditions.org. E-mail applications are preferred and the application must be in English. The application deadline is 6 August 2012 and applicants will then be required to attend an interview in Windhoek. Oman   Biosphere Expeditions and its partner the Anglo-Omani Society are offering two free places to UK nationals of under 25 years and who are also students or graduates in the life sciences, to take part in a coral reef study at the Musandam peninsula (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/musandam). The two places will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a genuine interest in wildlife conservation and Oman. Successful applicants can then take part in the Musandam coral reef project. Requirements • UK national • Under 25 years • Student or graduate in the life sciences • Qualified diver (PADI Open Water or equivalent) • A genuine interest in wildlife conservation and Oman • Winners must create a presentation and narrative of their experience and deliver this at least twice, once to their peer group of students and once to the general public, as well as create an online blog or diary of their experience. The presentation to the general public is to be delivered at the Anglo-Omani Society premises in London. • Winners must cooperate with Biosphere Expeditions and the Anglo-Omani Society on any PR activity that either party may wish to conduct and supply a number of free useage rights photographs for that purpose. Included in the bursary are • Free participation for one rotation in the coral reef study at the Musandam peninsula (www.biosphere-expeditions.org/musandam). • A fund of £500 to enable the winner to stay on and experience Oman travelling for a while before or after participating in the conservation expedition. This fund will be administered by Biosphere Expeditions via its travel agency partner in Muscat, National Travel & Tourism, who can build a travel itinerary together with the winner. • A cash fund for the winner of £250 for his/her travels & expenses inside Oman (not flights to Oman, see below). This will be paid out to the winner after his/her visit to Oman and using a claim form with receipts. NOT included in the bursary are • Travel costs to the expedition team assembly point in Dubai. This means that winners must either pay the airfare themselves or fund-raise for it. Flight costs are in the region of £250-400. • Passport, visa and airport fees, personal equipment, vaccinations. Application process Your application should include 1. A letter, which • demonstrates a genuine interest in wildlife conservation and Oman • states who you are, why we should take you, what the experience would mean for you and how you are going to use it for personal and career development • describes how you plan to fulfil the requirement of holding two talks as described above • includes information on your dive qualification(s) and experience 2. Your CV. 3. A picture of you. Please send your application to Kate Curnow at info@biosphere-expeditions.org. E-mail applications are preferred. Application deadline is 1 September 2012. Selection process Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on the telephone and may also be called for a personal interview. Winners will be announced by mid-September at the latest with the expedition taking place in October. Oman Biosphere Expeditions and its partner Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants are offering two free places to Omani nationals or residents with a dive qualification and English language skills to take part in a coral reef study at the Musandam peninsula. More information about the coral reef study is at www.biosphere-expeditions.org/musandam. The two places will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a genuine interest in marine science and conservation or a career in this field. Successful applicants will then take part in the expedition as per the advertised dates. The exact time will depend on availability of places on the project and the availability of the scholarship recipient. The successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in the marine environment and that they will use the experience to the benefit of Oman’s marine resources, carrying the message to other people and multiplying the effect of their experience. Requirements •    Omani national or Omani resident •    Over 18 years of age •    Qualified diver (PADI Open Water or equivalent) •    Fluent English •    A genuine interest in marine science and conservation or a career in this field •    After the expedition, the successful applicant will hold two talks or events about his or her experience on the expedition, one to his peer group and one to the general public Application process Your application should include a cover letter stating who you are, why we should take you, what the experience would mean for you and how you are going to use it. The cover letter should also describe how you plan to fulfil the requirement of holding two talks or events as described above. Please also state that if chosen, you will be available for the advertised expedition dates and which period would be your preference. Finally, the cover letter should indicate clearly what your interest in marine science and conservation is. The application should also include information on your dive qualification and experience, a CV and a picture of you. Please send your application to Dr Matthias Hammer at m.hammer@biosphere-expeditions.org. E-mail applications are preferred and the application must be in English. The application deadline is 3 September 2012. Applicants will be informed of the judges’ decision soon after and may be required to attend an interview. UAE Biosphere Expeditions and its partner Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants are offering one free place to UAE nationals or residents with English language skills to take part in an Arabian oryx, Gordon's wildcat and other species conservation expedition to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. More information about the expedition is at www.biosphere-expeditions.org/emirates. The place will be given to an applicant who can demonstrate a genuine interest in biology and conservation or a career in this field. Successful applicants will then take part in the expedition as per the advertised dates. The exact time will depend on availability of places on the project and the availability of the scholarship recipient. The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in the conservation and that they will use the experience to the benefit of species conservation within the UAE, carrying the message to other people and multiplying the effect of their experience. Requirements •    UAE national or UAE resident •    Over 18 years of age •    Fluent English •    A genuine interest in conservation biology or a career in this field •    After the expedition, the successful applicant will hold two talks or events about his or her experience on the expedition, one to his peer group and one to the general public Application process Your application should include a cover letter stating who you are, why we should take you, what the experience would mean for you and how you are going to use it. The cover letter should also describe how you plan to fulfil the requirement of holding two talks or events as described above. Please also state that if chosen, you will be available for the advertised expedition dates and which period would be your preference. Finally, the cover letter should indicate clearly what your interest in conservation biology is. The application should also include a CV and a picture of you. Please send your application to Dr Matthias Hammer at m.hammer@biosphere-expeditions.org. E-mail applications are preferred and the application must be in English. The application deadline is 19 December 2011. Applicants will be informed of the judges’ decision soon after and may be required to attend an interview. Azores Biosphere Expeditions is offering three free places to applicants with English language skills to take part in a whale & dolphin study based at Horta, Azores (see www.biosphere-expeditions.org/azores). The three places will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a genuine interest in marine science and conservation or a career in this field. Successful applicants will then take part in the expedition from 26 April - 3 May 2012, depending on availability. The successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in the marine environment and that they will use the experience to the benefit of the Azores' marine resources, carrying the message to other people and multiplying the effect of their experience. Requirements • Over 18 years of age • Fluent English • A genuine interest in marine science and conservation or a career in this field • After the expedition, the successful applicant will hold two talks or events about his or her experience on the expedition, one to his peer group and one to the general public • Preference will be given to residents of the Azores Application process Your application should include a cover letter stating who you are, why we should take you, what the experience would mean for you and how you are going to use it. The cover letter should also describe how you plan to fulfil the requirement of holding two talks or events as described above. Finally, the cover letter should indicate clearly what your interest in marine science and conservation is and include a CV and a picture of you. Please send your application to Dr Matthias Hammer at m.hammer@biosphere-expeditions.org. E-mail applications are preferred and the application must be in English. Some applicants will then be required to attend an interview in Horta, after which a final decision will be made. The application deadline is 23 April 2012.