Iskolar ng Dagat
As a Filipino NGO, investing in the marine conservationists of the future is hugely important to LAMAVE and the success of marine conservation in the Philippines. To ensure there is always an opportunity to grow and learn, every LAMAVE project accepting volunteers hosts at least one local Scholar. To apply for the LAMAVE Scholarship you must be Filipino and have a passion for conservation.
Why Apply as a Scholar?
Iskolar ng Dagat is a funded internship program for Filipino citizens to join one of LAMAVE’s research and conservation projects in the Philippines. It is an opportunity to gain hands-on field experience and learn and apply scientific methods. You’ll work with a dedicated team, the local community and the Local Government Unit (LGU) to contribute to marine conservation efforts. Food, accommodation, and project-related costs are supported by LAMAVE and our funders.
“LAMAVE is a place where young marine conservationists can kickstart their careers a place for dreamers, marine biologists who want to achieve their goals. It is a great stepping stone.”
Project Sites
We have project sites across the country
Click on the icons to learn more about our research sites that can host scholars.
What does the scholarship include?
We have two tiers of scholarship:
Tier 1 is partially funded and includes accommodation, food and on-site project related transportation. This tier is supported by LAMAVE and is limited to a set number of scholarships a year. It does not include your travel costs to and from the project site or equipment.
Tier 2 is fully-funded. It includes accommodation, food, on-site project related transportation, your travel to the project site and snorkelling gear (fins, mask, snorkel). This is funded by donors through our Future Fund and is based on donor availability.
LAMAVE will inform you once we has received your application as to which tier is available to you. While it is not required, if you know someone who would be interested in sponsoring your internship, feel free to share with them the Future Fund and get them to contact us directly.
Both scholarship tiers include:
Accommodation
Our project houses are communal, shared living space.
All team members are required to stay at the project house throughout their stay, this is for health and safety and for team work purposes.
All project houses have a kitchen, bathroom and a shared place where you can lounge and work. You’ll be provided with a bed in a shared room.
Due to the remoteness of some of our sites some project houses have limited signal (phone and internet data), electricity and water. For example some of our sites are based on islands where electricity is only available at certain periods of the day or where we collect shower water from a well and drinking water from another town.
Part of your role will be helping keep the project house clean and contributing to daily chores such as cooking.
Three meals a day
Food and cooking is communal, so it is essential that applicants provide their food intolerances, strict preferences and allergies in their application. The food we serve is plant-based and is sourced within the local community. Ingredients are often limited but the cooking creativity of the team often makes up for this!
All our sites have access to local food markets and a variety of small shops where you are able to buy (at your own cost) and additional snacks, luxury items or treats. Imported goods are usually only available in larger towns or cities.
Transport on site
All our sites rely on public transport (buses, jeepneys, tricycles) so you’ll experience the colourful options of getting around in the Philippines. On site, you and the team will use a variety of public transport to move between the project house and the research site.
For safety, the use of motorcycles, with (habal-habal ride) or without (rented) a driver is strictly prohibited.
Your responsiblities
You are responsible for the following:
Medical Insurance. This must include dive Insurance if you are applying for a scuba based project. (applicable to Tier 1 and 2)
Dive gear (BCD, Regulator etc) if you are applying for a scuba based project (applicable to Tier 1 and 2)
Your transport to and from the Project Site (applicable to Tier 1 only)
Free diving fins, mask and snorkel (applicable to Tier 1 only)
Program Benefits
As part of a research team you’ll learn a host of skills
You’ll be trained in project-specific research techniques such as photo identification, citizen science, remote underwater video systems and/or compliance surveys. You’ll also practice data cleaning and learn the importance of cataloguing data correctly.
You’ll acquire leadership and teamwork skills, improve your communication and learn to work with a diverse international team. You’ll also build your network when it comes to research and conservation and be part of LAMAVE’s Scholar Alumni.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Our programs provide educational and professional development trainings designed to amplify the skills of successful applicants. These resources will help them make the most of their experience so that they achieve their career goals and objectives. Our trainings cover:
Marine science research methods
Marine conservation NGO skills
People management skills
LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
An internship with LAMAVE is not only about professional development, but also personal development. We send successful applicants on a once in a lifetime experience that will open them up to the world around them. Successful applicants will have the opportunity explore the Philippines, make lifelong friendships from across the globe, and learn an immense amount about themselves.
SUPPORT & LOGISTICS
Our staff assist all successful applicants through everything from the placement process and arrival on site, to accommodation and transport. They also provide emergency assistance.
NETWORK
Successful applicants will be able to connect with the hundreds of LAMAVE alumni from around the world that worked with us. They will also be able to benefit from the excellent relationships LAMAVE enjoys with key institutions in the Philippines and around the world. This network will help them enormously in their future career.
Hear from past LAMAVE Scholars
“IT WAS LIFE-CHANGING. IT’S A CLICHE BUT IT’S TRUE.”
WANT TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE?
Invest in the Future Fund and help us build tomorrow’s leaders. Your donation will enable scholar placements on our research projects.
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