Project Grant 2420249

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a Project Grant of $439,723 to Florida International University (FIU) under the CFDA Program 47.079 - Office of International Science and Engineering. The grant, titled "IRES: Exploring Human-Wildlife Interconnectivity in the Caribbean - A Hands-on Approach to Research, Conservation and Professional Development," aims to study marine and terrestrial species in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to improve wildlife management through research. Over three years, the project will provide cohorts of six U.S. graduate and undergraduate students from underrepresented STEM backgrounds with an immersive, year-long training and research experience focused on human-wildlife interactions. Students will investigate the ecology and conservation status of vulnerable and charismatic species, including parrots and cetaceans, using field methods such as direct observations, passive acoustic monitoring, and remote sensing. The findings will be translated into management recommendations for the Vincentian government to develop effective conservation strategies for these imperiled species and their habitats. This collaborative project bridges academic research with applied conservation, providing students with real-world experience in biodiversity science and conservation.