Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) has launched the
Amazon Economic Research Fellows program. 

This program is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and conducted in collaboration with the Latin American and Caribbean Environmental Economics Program (LACEEP) and Resources for the Future (RFF).  The purpose of the program is to provide young economists with a dynamic learning opportunity in applied economic analysis skills relevant to the conservation of nature and natural resources.

Program Components

The program has two interwoven components, formal instruction and field research.

1)    Formal instruction: Fellows will receive approximately 160 hours of intensive instruction, delivered in two 10-day sessions.  Instruction will include economic valuation, survey design, statistical analysis and cost-benefit analysis.  These and additional topics will be tailored to the specific interests of the selected Fellows.  Training will be delivered in the Amazon region.

2)    Field research: Fellows will engage in field research as a means to solidify analytical skills while also producing results with direct relevance to conservation or sustainable development issues. “Field” research will generally entail collection of primary data, though some projects may rely on analysis of existing datasets, with site visits to understand local context.  Fellows will have two options for field research.

a.    Option A is to participate with CSF staff in an established Amazon research program. Candidates will be matched with research projects according to their interests and skills.  The following are the main areas of current CSF research in the region.
   i.    Economic analysis of transportation and energy infrastructure projects, including their environmental and social impacts, in Brazil (Amazonas State), Bolivia (Beni, La Paz and Pando) and Peru (Madre de Dios and Ucayali).
   ii.    Policy analysis of taxes and subsidies for alternative land uses (forestry, agriculture, mining, conservation) in Brazil
   iii.    Policy design to encourage intensive use of degraded land in Brazil
   iv.    Financial feasibility studies for sustainable enterprises in Bolivian Amazon municipalities.
   v.    Business and financial planning for protected areas in Brazil (Amazonas).
b.    Option B is to present a separate research proposal.  Such proposals must be relevant to conservation of Amazon ecosystems, use economic analysis tools, be feasible to complete within one year, and represent a top priority for the researcher (and his/her institution). 

What the Program Provides

The Program provides classroom training and financial support for field research.  In the case of participants who elect Option A (participation in CSF research), CSF provides a stipend of up to US$10,000, plus cover field research costs.  In the case of Option B, CSF provides the stipend, but participants must fund their own field research costs (travel, for example).  CSF also provides mentoring and technical advice at all stages of research projects, and assists with wide dissemination of findings.

Who are the fellows?

The program is designed for junior researchers and professionals who are citizens of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru or Venezuela.  Candidates generally have prior training in economics, preferably at the Masters level, strong analytical abilities, and excellent writing skills in their native language.  Preference is given to candidates with a demonstrated research interest or experience in the Amazon Basin.  If support is sought for PhD research, a specific research paper must be produced within the one-year time frame of the program.  Support is not available for university tuition, fees or living costs. CSF and LACEEP understand that candidates may have other professional or academic activities during the year of their participation in the program, but only award fellowships to candidates who demonstrate that they have adequate time to carry out all aspects of the fellowship.

2008 Fellows