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Scholarship Award Information 

In keeping with our purpose as a non profit organization, the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation strives to keep our courses as affordable as possible; however, we recognize that the basic cost of studying in remote areas of pristine habitat remains out of the reach of many potential applicants.  Nonetheless, it is our sincere wish to offer this opportunity to as many qualified students as possible.  Therefore, each year we normally offer several full tuition scholarships to Ecuadorian students for our Andes to Amazon Field Course.  These scholarships are provided by private donors committed to conservation education.

2008 Scholarships

Two scholarships will be available for the 2008 summer field ecology course, "Tropical Ecosystems: Andes to Amazon", held from July 14 - August 10.  Ecuadorian citizens enrolled in or recently graduated from an Ecuadorian undergraduate institution are eligible to apply. See below for details on requirements and how to apply, or contact Ceiba for more information.

This year we are offering both partial and full-tuition scholarships. The intent is to offer the opportunity to participate in our course to as many Ecuadorian students as possible. Therefore, if you are unable to pay half of the tuition cost ($1400), then indicate on your application that you are seeking a full scholarship; otherwise, we will extend as many half-tuition awards as possible.

Application Procedure & Eligibility

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be citizens of Ecuador (or permanent resident aliens), speak English fluently, meet basic academic requirements for all course participants, and submit all application materials before MAY 15 , 2008.  Download the application instructions and form here:

Scholarship Application (.pdf)  •  Scholarship Application (.doc)

A complete application must include (see instructions on form) an application form, two letters of recommendation from a professor or employer, a copy of the applicant's undergraduate transcripts, and a letter of intent explaining why the applicant wishes to attend the field course.  No application fee is required.  All application materials must be received by fax, paper or email at the Ceiba office in the United States no later than the application deadline.

Selection Criteria 

Applicants must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for a scholarship award.  Successful applicants will be selected on the basis of financial need as well as academic qualifications or related experiences (for Ecuadorian applicants, selection will be based primarily on merit).  Applicants that demonstrate a strong need for financial aid in order to attend the course, and possess academic or work-related credentials demonstrating their ability to participate positively in the course and gain substantially from their participation, will be given the highest priority.  Scholarships awards are directly used to pay for participation in the "Andes to Amazon:  Tropical Ecosystems" field course only.  Recipients will not receive a check for the scholarship amount.  If an award recipient chooses not to enroll, the scholarship will be awarded to a runner-up.

Donate to Ceiba's Scholarship Fund

Give the educational chance of a lifetime! You can make a big difference in the education of an Ecuadorian student who might otherwise not be able to experience and appreciate their country's own natural heritage.   Selection of award recipients includes economic criteria so your assistance is sure to go to those most in need. Please contact us for more information or donate online now. We need your support to provide environmental education in South America!

Further Information

For further information regarding our field course scholarships, the application process, or how you may make a contribution to our scholarship fund, please contact Ceiba.

Prior Scholarship Recipients

Thanks to the generous support of private donors Ceiba has provided scholarships for the following Ecuadorian students to be able to take our field course:

2006

Xavier Haro, Católica University
Carolina Toapanta, Católica University

2005

Juan Dueñas, Católica University
Maria Borja, Universidad San Francisco de Quito

2002

Javier Robayo, Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Diego Hidalgo, Universidad San Francisco de Quito

2001

Veronica Andrade, Católica University
Paola Espinosa, Católica University

2000

Susana Cardenas, Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Chris Hayden, USA (need-based partial scholarship)
Joy Scriver, USA (need-based partial scholarship)