AWARDS

Please note that the appplication period for this award is currently CLOSED. We look forward to recieving your applications during our next awards call in Spring 2025.

The Canadian Section of TWS’s Early-Career Professional Development Award provides financial support to members of the Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society (CSTWS) to participate in professional development opportunities that are relevant to their profession or field of study.

Professional Development opportunities toward which award funding may be applied include participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars, or other special training opportunities such as a professional or work exchange, which may take place virtually or as an in-person event. Funds allocated from the CSTWS Early-Career Professional Development award may be used to cover costs needed to participate in these opportunities, including accommodations, travel, registration, associated written materials or equipment, etc. Note that fees associated with applying for or maintaining professional membership or standing (e.g., Provincial or TWS certification) are not eligible to be covered by this award.

Eligibility

An early-career professional is defined as an individual who normally is within 12 years of obtaining their natural resources related BSc or Diploma (less than 13 years from graduation) and who is not enrolled in or otherwise pursuing a new Program of Study. Therefore, all applicants for the CSTWS Early-Career Professional Development Award must meet all the following criteria:

• Be within 12 years of receiving a BSc or Diploma in a wildlife or natural resource-related field and not currently enrolled in or otherwise pursuing a new Program of Study (e.g., a PhD after completing an MSc). If an applicant goes on to obtain a BSc after a Diploma, the 12-year period will begin as of the completion of the BSc Degree. Applicants who feel that they are still in the early stages of their career but are more than 12 years beyond their degree/diploma receipt should provide a rationale for those special circumstances as part of their application
• Be a current CSTWS member in good standing
• Have provided all relevant application materials (completed application form, CV, references, and diploma/transcripts); and agree to submit proof of registration and attendance in the associated training opportunity, if selected for the award.

Award Number and Amount

Each year, two professional development awards will normally be available for early-career professionals. There will normally be two application deadlines, one in Spring and one in Fall each with normally one award recipient, to allow for the different timing of professional development opportunities. Because opportunities are time-specific, applications will not be carried over from one application period to the next.

Each award amount may be up to $500* but is not to exceed the actual expenses of the professional development opportunity. This award is also contingent upon the submission of scanned receipts for eligible expenses (accommodations, transportation, registration, etc.). Any costs that exceed the maximum amount requested must be covered by the applicant.
 

Award Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the quality of the application, the intended benefit to the applicant, the application’s completeness, eligibility of the applicant, and the demonstrated need of the applicant — need will be assessed based on the applicant’s discussion of other funding avenues that have been explored and how the applicant has demonstrated how receiving the award will positively affect their career. Demonstrated participation in TWS International, Section or Chapter activities or the wildlife community will be viewed favourably by the Award Committee. Greater consideration will be given to applicants who are in the earlier stages of their career development.

Submissions

Note that if selected for the Early-Career Professional Development Award, recipients will be expected to provide a short contribution and photo to the Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society to be featured in the CSTWS newsletter, website, and/or social media platforms.

To be considered for this award, an applicant must submit the following items to the ACSTWS wards Committe chair at [email protected]. All required components of the application should be combined into a single PDF file

• Completed application form (including contact information from 2 professional references)
• Resume (2 pages maximum)
• Scanned copy of Diploma or unofficial transcript showing date of graduation to establish eligibility for the award in terms of time since degree/diploma completion

Only complete applications submitted by the bi-annual deadline will be reviewed by the CSTWS Awards Committee. Names and a summary of the successful applicant(s) will be provided to the CSTWS Board of Directors for approval. Successful applicants will be notified of approval promptly and will be reminded of any obligations associated with the acceptance of this award (e.g., proof of participation, etc.). Once all requirements for the reward have been fulfilled, reimbursement will be arranged by the Chair of the Awards Committee through the CSTWS Treasurer.

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*The value of each award and the number of awards per year will be determined on an annual basis by the CSTWS Board depending on the availability of funds. It is the Board’s goal to be able to grow the amount of this award over time.