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

1 month between June and August 2024.

Location

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

Eligibility

The University of Bristol has Turing funding for up to 20 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 total cost to pay to Operation Wallacea for a 4-week expedition is £2997. 

This includes:

• accommodation on your project
• food during your project

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

• return international flights 
• visa 
• specialised equipment (if relevant)
• national park fees (if relevant)
• personal spending

Funding

Turing funding

The University of Bristol has Turing funding for up to 20 students on this programme. The Turing Scheme is a UK government initiative. There are two grant rates available:

Turing grant rate A

• cost of living grant: £480 for 4 weeks

Eligibility: All undergraduate students not in their final year

Turing grant rate B

• cost of living grant:£590 for 4 weeks
• travel grant:based on distance from Bristol to destination (between £250 - £1360)
• the University of Bristol will make a contribution towards the programme fee which, added together with the cost of living grant, will reduce the programme fee you need to self-fund to £500.

Eligibility: Home undergraduate students, not in their final year, who meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• Your household income is under £42,875
  • this includes recipients of the Access to Bristol / Bristol Scholars bursary, OR you receive Universal Credit; note that you must be the recipient, not a partner or family member.
• you are care-experienced 
• you have caring responsibilities
• you are an estranged student 
• you are a refugee or asylum seeker
• you are a mature student
• your ethnicity is listed under Asian or Asian British; Black, Black British, Caribbean or African; Mixed or multiple ethnic groups; or the Other ethnic group category on the gov.uk list of ethnic groups.
• you have a diasbility or special educational need. Please note that the term disability is very wide; further details of what may be considered a disability are in this link definition of disability, and this will need to be registered with Disability Services.  

All criteria, including household income, will be taken from your official student record. It is your responsibility to check that the information stored is correct.

Read more about Turing funding.

Information session

Operation Wallacea also offer regular webinars through their website.

How to apply

You must apply for a place with Operation Wallacea directly through their website. You can apply for Turing funding via the button below up until 1st February 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 attended an information session). 

Applications for Turing funding closed 11.59pm on 1st February 2024.