Thanks to the work and enthusiasm of our ABS Community, we are delighted to report we have been awarded a Tier One Program (TOP) grant from Texas A&M University for $300,000 ($100,000/year over the next three years). This is the second TOP grant awarded to the program, indicating that the university values what we have built over the last seven years.
With Texas A&M University’s generous support, ABS will continue training the next generation of biodiversity conservation leaders. The TOP funds will expand the ABS program to increase the high impact learning experiences for undergraduates and graduate students. The core of the undergraduate program will be the ABS Undergraduate Scholars Program, which will lead students through a progression of high impact learning experiences. The graduate program will center on the ABS Learning Plan and community of scholars whose activities include ABS seminars, workshops, journal club, and the ABS Amazon Field School. Through ePortfolios, students will document their success in accomplishing the program’s learning outcomes, providing evidence that they have developed skills that a) undergraduates will need to obtain admission to and succeed in graduate school and b) graduate students will need to be effective career scientists and mentors.
