The KLARF Programme
 The Kew Latin American Research Fellowships Programme offers support
for visiting scientists from Latin America (including
the West Indies and the Guianas) wishing to consult collections
or conduct botanical research at
Kew or the Natural History Museum. Fellowships may also include
visits to other European research institutes. This programme serves
as an important mechanism for promoting active collaboration between
UK and Latin American scientists.
Background and Funding
The KLARF Programme was established in 1998 with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This programme
ran for three years. In 2002 an additional donation enabled the programme to continue for a further three years (2003-2005).
The Weston Foundation also made a generous donation to Kew in 2002, specifically to fund a programme of
fellowships (2003-2008) in recognition of the outstanding contributions made
to botanical science and conservation by Professor Sir Ghillean
Prance during his 11 years as Director.
These resources are administered
jointly.
Important update on funding
The final tranche of funding for KLARF Fellowships was allocated in March 2008. Unless and until we are able to identify alternative sources of support, we regret that there will be no more calls for applications. |
KLARF Fellowships
The Andrew W. Mellon and Prance Fellowships focus on developing capacity for plant science
research in Latin America. Particular emphasis is given to proposals
which foster one-to-one research collaboration between European
and Latin American botanical scientists. Proposals are also welcome
from those who wish primarily to consult European botanical reference
collections for the purpose of advancing their own research. Proposals
may combine study of collections and laboratory research.
The Fellowships are designed to provide support for scientists
working on morphology-based taxonomy, biogeography, micromorphology
(including anatomy and palynology), cytogenetics, biochemistry,
molecular systematics and phylogeny, horticultural science, comparative
developmental studies and related fields, capacity-building in Neotropical
countries, repatriation of knowledge to Neotropical countries and
building collaborations and partnerships with RBG Kew in conservation
and the sustainable use of plant biodiversity.
Grants consist of
the following components:-
 Return
air fare from residence to London- Monthly allowance of £1,000 for subsistence and travel
in London
- Cost of travel elsewhere in Europe (when specified and approved)
- Laboratory/workplace cost
General Conditions for Eligibility
Age |
There is no age limit on candidates |
Country of origin |
Candidates should be current residents of any nation in Central America, South America or the West Indies. We particularly encourage residents of the following countries to apply: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Caribbean nations, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile.
Fellowships may be granted to candidates temporarily working or studying outside their home countries, but not if they are currently in the UK. |
Qualifications |
Candidates must normally be (a) registered for a doctoral degree and in the course of preparing their doctoral thesis, (b) already have a doctorate, or (c) have a qualification and/or experience appropriate for the project proposed.
Candidates from countries where opportunities for appropriate PhD training are limited or lacking may also apply. In these cases the relevance of their training and experience to the proposed project will be important criteria.
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Candidate's Leadership and Training Potential |
Fellowships are targeted at candidates who have, actually or potentially, an active role in their discipline within their country or region, and/or who will play a significant part in training and capacity building in biodiversity science on their return to their country. |
English skills |
Candidates should preferably write their applications in English, particularly if their proposals involve close collaboration with host institute scientists, since they must be able to communicate effectively in English for everyday purposes. |
Offer take-up |
Candidates are expected to take up their Fellowship within 12 months of receiving an offer. Beyond this time they will normally be expected to reapply.
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Duration |
1 to 9 months for non-molecular projects
6 to 9 months for molecular projects
Maximum 9 months |
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