Scholarships
Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship FundBACKGROUND The establishment of the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship Fund was inspired by the work of one of Micronesia’s lead conservation pioneers, William Charles Raynor, known to many as Bill Raynor. Bill Raynor (Feb. 22nd, 1957-Sept. 1st, 2015), former Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Micronesia Program, first came to the region as a Jesuit volunteer on the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). As a long-time resident of Pohnpei, Bill became extremely involved with Pohnpeian culture and customs; and as a result, he earned a Pohnpeian honorific title, Soumadau en Pei ni Eng Eihr—Lord of the Altar of the East Wind— and grew giant yams, which is an important tradition in Pohnpeian society. He was considered a true Pohnpeian; he spoke the language fluently and was revered as a bona fide Pohnpeian agroforestry expert. He married a Pohnpeian lady from Madolenihmw Municipality and together they raised several children and grandchildren. Not only did he adapt to and became quite involved with the culture, but he also dedicated his life to supporting and improving Micronesians’ quality of life through his work. Bill was a dedicated hero for nature. For over 30 years, he engaged in significant and meaningful conservation work across Micronesia. Among his many pioneering efforts, he helped launch the Conservancy’s program in the region. He also helped to establish/strengthen several non- governmental organizations in Micronesia, (the Micronesia Conservation Trust, Chuuk Conservation Society, the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization, Micronesian Islands Nature Alliance, Yap Community Action Program, Marshall Islands Conservation Society, etc.) that are now leading conservation and sustainable development work in their jurisdictions. As a sponsor and founding member of the Micronesians in Island Conservation (MIC) Network, Bill was committed to identifying and nurturing emerging conservation champions from across the region. He was also instrumental in establishing the Micronesia Challenge (www.micronesiachallenge.org) and the endowment fund associated with the initiative. Over the course of approximately three decades, Bill supported and mentored emerging environmental leaders who have the passion and the potential to continue the conservation initiatives and maintain the Micronesia Challenge commitment that he and the other conservation pioneers helped establish in the region. Bill lived life, including his end of life, on his own terms—fully, with love and with a commitment to others and to the world. In his honor, the Micronesia Conservation Trust and its many partners are pleased to announce the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship Fund. The Micronesia Challenge The Micronesia Challenge is a groundbreaking commitment by the leaders of Micronesia (Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, the US Territory of Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). The initial commitment was to place at least 30% of Micronesia’s near-shore marine resources and 20% of its terrestrial resources under effective conservation by the year 2020. The leaders have set a new commitment to place at least 50% of near-shore marine resources and 30% of terrestrial resources under effective conservation by 2030 across Micronesia. The Micronesia Challenge partnership continues to identify, support and coach new successors to take on conservation and resource management leadership roles and responsibilities, as leadership capacity and development continues to be a critical need. To address this need, the Micronesia Conservation Trust and its partners have established the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship Fund to provide financial and leadership development support for citizens and long-time residents of the five jurisdictions of Micronesia (ROP, FSM, RMI, Guam, and CNMI). THE BRMC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship Fund aims to contribute to the development of effective conservation of Micronesia’s biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods across the region. This scholarship provides an opportunity for individuals from Micronesia to undertake either a Master’s or Doctorate degree in any resource management/conservation field at various institutions within the Pacific Region (including universities in Guam, Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan) or in the US mainland. Applicants are to focus on leadership and technical skills and/or majors that enhance their ability to carry out work in conservation, climate adaptation and sustainable development in Micronesia. Awardees of this prestigious scholarship will receive financial support to earn graduate degrees while receiving close guidance and mentorship from key individuals within the Micronesia Challenge partnership, including members of the peer learning networks, MIC and the Pacific Islands Managed and Protected Areas Community (PIMPAC). The mentors/advisors are technical experts who have extensive experience in the field of conservation, climate change adaptation and sustainable development in Micronesia/Pacific. Each year, up to two students from the region will be selected through a competitive process and will be eligible to receive up to $30,000 per year for up to two years for the successful completion of a Master’s program and up to three years for the successful completion of a PhD program. This scholarship is limited to one or two students per scholarship-round in order to provide the mentorship and guidance support that will be required to ensure the students’ long-term success. The Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship Fund committee will also make a good faith effort to place scholarship recipients in permanent positions when they graduate. To help ensure recipients are able to participate in Micronesia Challenge activities either remotely or during breaks, awardees are required to study at universities within the Pacific region/rim or in the US mainland and they must secure an agency that will commit to hosting them during their studies and one willing to hire the intern after they complete their studies. The alumni of this scholarship program will form a cadre of new leaders that will meet annually in association with the MIC peer-leaders network. This will allow the alumni to continue to be mentored by conservation champions around the region and grow as leaders, who will in turn serve as mentors themselves for new scholarship recipients. Awardees’ Obligations Awardees are expected to: I. Enroll as a full-time student II. Maintain a good academic standing A. Masters’ and PhD students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or equivalent B. Research students must show progress in research III. Update MCT and partners with each academic term’s performance A. Masters’ and PhD students must send MCT an official copy of each term’s transcript B. Research students must submit to MCT a quarterly progress report certified by a principal supervisor IV. Send MCT each invoice and receipt provided by the university so MCT can apply the scholarship funding directly to the awardees’ school fees V. Actively participate in Micronesia Challenge activities as directed by designated mentors and advisors Selection Criteria Applicants will be selected based on the following: I. Strength of their application and that the program they are attending is in line with conservation, climate change adaptation and sustainable development goals of their home country’s or host organization; II. The strength and commitment of their host institution, including the ability to hire/retain them after the completion their studies; III. The commitment and experience of their mentor(s) in resource management and sustainable development efforts in the Pacific. Accepting scholarship conditions Upon receipt of the scholarship, awardees must sign a promissory note which serves as their acknowledgement for their understanding and acceptance of the scholarship terms and conditions. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS The following documents are required for an application to be eligible for review:
Applications are due on May 15, 2021. Applications with incomplete supporting documents will not be considered for review and late applications will not be accepted. Application packages must be submitted to: Ms. Bertha Reyuw MCT Capacity Building Program Manager P.O. Box 2177, Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-5670 E-mail: capacity@ourmicronesia.org Electronic submissions are preferred. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA To be eligible for the Bill Raynor Micronesia Challenge Scholarship Fund, applicants must:
BRMC ENDOWMENT: FUNDING OF THE BRMC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM In order to support these students, MCT and its partners have a target goal to raise an endowment fund of approximately $1.2 million dollars, generating an estimated 5% in earnings per year, to support up to two full time students at up to $30,000 per year. This fund is housed at the Micronesia Conservation Trust and will be invested as a sub-account within the Micronesia Challenge Endowment Fund. Every $2 raised will secure an additional $1 in match. Click here to donate. CONTACTS For more information on the BRMC Scholarship Endowment, please contact: Mr. Willy Kostka MCT Executive Director P.O. Box 2177, Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-5670 E-mail: director@ourmicronesia.org For more information on the BRMC Scholarship Program, please contact: Ms. Bertha Reyuw MCT Capacity Building Program Manager P.O. Box 2177, Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941 Phone: (691) 320-5670 E-mail: capacity@ourmicronesia.org |
