Scholarships

The Carl Jones Scholarship

Professor Carl Jones MBE has probably saved more threatened species than any other conservationist. He has spent 40 years working in Mauritius employing captive-breeding and scientific research techniques in the field, to save and recover species such as the Mauritius kestrel, echo parakeet and keel-scaled boa. Carl has taken this species-focused work to lead the restoration of entire forest and island ecological systems. Today, he is Durrell’s Chief Scientist, and shapes Durrell’s conservation strategy and the development of best practice in threatened species recovery. Carl’s determination, resilience, vision and ability to influence those around him sets him apart, and his work has influenced threatened species recovery programmes across the world. He is also passionate about developing future generations of conservation leaders, with hundreds of practitioners developing their conservation and scientific skills under his tutelage.

We are proud to launch a conservation scholarship programme under Carl Jones’ name to support the professional development of the most promising early career conservationists. The scholarship provides full financial support (except the cost of travel to Jersey) to attend the Graduate Certificate in Endangered Species Management (DESMAN) course at Durrell Conservation Academy. Selected individuals may be offered follow-on places on Durrell’s Professional Development Programme for Conservation Managers. This involves a further 18-21 months of remote learning and training, back in the workplace, facilitated through Durrell’s online learning management system. They will then benefit from long-term career support from Durrell’s Conservation Academy team.

Selection criteria

We prioritise the awarding of Carl Jones Scholarships to conservationists working in Durrell’s field programme regions. These include:

• Mauritius, Madagascar and the wider southwest Indian Ocean region
• India, Indonesia
• Eastern Caribbean
• Brazil, Ecuador.

We also prioritise conservationists working on species, or tackling conservation problems, where the expertise of Durrell can make a difference.  These include, but are not limited to:

• frogs & toads
  
• lizards, snakes, chelonians
  
• pigeons & doves, parrots, birds of prey
  
• small primates
  
• rodents & eulipotyphlan insectivores
  

The scholarship seeks to help the development of conservationists at early to early-mid career stages, who:

• will typically have 3-5 of years of field experience in the practice or science of species conservation,
• are managing conservation projects or programmes, or will be soon approaching this level of responsibility, and
• can demonstrate their vision, passion, leadership potential, and a clear determination to make a difference in threatened species recovery.

How to apply

If you think you meet these criteria and are interested in applying for a Carl Jones Scholarship to attend the DESMAN course, please email academy@durrell.org for application details.  

We are delighted to announce that the first recipient of the Carl Jones Scholarship is Vanousha Pillay, from Mauritius. The Scholarship has enabled Vanousha to undertake Durrell's DESMAN Graduate Certificate course, and embark upon a bespoke Professional Development Programme. Recipients initially attend the DESMAN course to gain a thorough background in species conservation, and then commence a programme of additional online training, skills development, mentoring and career support customised to their individual needs.

Listen to Vanousha discussing her time with Durrell and the difference it has made to her life... 

Hear from Carl Jones himself about the difference that one person can make.