Programme details

You can join a one month expedition as volunteer research assistant to gain field experience. 

Operation Wallacea is a network of academics from European and North American universities, who design and implement biodiversity and conservation management research programmes. 

The programme will include:

• working alongside academics
• contributing to a conservation project
• developing employability skills
• meeting like-minded people

Dates

4 weeks between June and August 2025.

Location

There are various different location to choose from including: Croatia, Honduras, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Romania and South Africa.

Eligibility

The University of Bristol has limited Turing funding for students on the Operation Wallacea programme. 

To apply for Turing funding, you must be a current undergraduate student at the University of Bristol and not in your final year. 

If you are not eligible for, or do not receive an offer of Turing funding, you may still apply directly to join a Operation Wallacea programme.

Language requirements

There are no language requirements for this programme.

Academic requirements 

You do not need to meet any academic requirements to take part in this programme.

Costs

The programme fee for a 4-week Operation Wallacea expedition is £3,100. To secure your place, you will be asked to pay a 10% deposit. This is refundable if you are not awarded Turing funding. 

This includes:

• accommodation on your project
• food during your project

This programme has additional costs relating to necessary internal travel, national park fees and specialised equipment (for example Marine equipment). These vary but Operation Wallacea have given estimates, by location, below:

• Croatia - £391.50 
• Indonesia - £666 - £674 
• Honduras - £432.25
• Mexico - £488.50
• Madagascar - £893.94
• Romania - £250
• South Africa - £493.30 

You will need to organise and pay for all other costs, including:

• return international flights 
• visa 
• personal spending

Funding

Turing funding 

There are limited places on this programme that will be supported by Turing funding. 
There are two rates available:

Standard rate (formerly Turing rate A)

• Cost of living grant: £476 for a 28-day programme.

Eligibility: All undergraduate students not in their final year.

Enhanced rate (formerly Turing rate B) 

• Cost of living grant: £588 for a 28-day programme.
• Travel grant: dependent on destination (and evidenced by receipts).
• Readiness to travel costs: reimbursed at actual cost (evidenced by receipts). 

Eligibility: please see Enhanced rate criteria for details.

Information session

5-6pm on Thursday 28th November in SM4 Ada Lovelace building. Book here. 

How to apply

You must apply for a place with Operation Wallacea directly through their website. You can apply for Turing funding via the link below from Thursday 28th November until Sunday 26th January. You do not need to have a place confirmed with Operation Wallacea in order to apply, but priority will be given to those who have registered their interest with them (e.g. have registered for an information session). Please be aware that to secure your place with Operation Wallacea, you will need to pay a 10% deposit but this will be refunded if you are not successful for Turing funding. 

Applications for Turing funding will close 11.59pm on 26th January 2025.

Applications closed 26th January 2025.