Orangutan Foundation

The Foundation has been administering a small grants programme focussing on orangutan research for several years. Recognising the importance of the 'bigger picture' the Foundation has more recently decided to encourage a broader portfolio of funded research by promoting and supporting research concerning all aspects of the forest ecosystem.

In 2009 we awarded research grants for the following projects:

• Megan Cattau (Duke University) - Orangutans and Lowland Peat-Swamp Forests in Kalimantan: Using Carbon Market Value for Conservation. Research site - "Block C" of the former Mega-Rice Project.
  
  
• Harri Purnomo (Bogor Agriculture University) - The Diversity of Bird Species at Several Habitat Types in Pondok Ambung, Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan.
  
  
• Yusi Indriani (Bogor Agriculture University) - The Diversity of Butterfly Species at Several Habitat Types in Pondok Ambung, Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan.
  
  

In 2008, we had so many strong applicants that four grants were awarded instead of the normal two. The successful applicants were:

• Graham Banes -
  1. An investigation into the reproductive success of orangutans at Camp Leakey in TPNP through determining the extent to which the former alpha male, Kusasi, sired offspring.
  2. An investigation into the effects of disturbance on the frequency and distribution of orangutan in the region of Pondok Ambung Research Station.
• Johan Setiawan - "An investigation to find out the right model of Tanjung Puting Ecotourism Management".
  
  
• Piers GIllespie - "A study into oil palm plantations and their interactions with local communities and oil palm smallholders via a political ecology perspective". This fits into the Foundation's decision to promote and support research concerning all aspects of the forest ecosystem
  
  
• Ade Suharso (with the Ministry of Forestry) for his PhD in Anthropology at the University of Indonesia. "Cultural community living inside conservation areas: Study about the resistance and integration".
  
  

Usually two grants are awarded annually to a maximum of £1,000 each. Applications will only be considered from students studying orangutan behaviour and ecology or related rainforest field research in either Indonesia or Malaysia. Preference will be given to research focusing on understudied populations and to candidates demonstrating a high level of competence.

We are now accepting applications for the 2010 Orangutan Foundation Grant. Deadline for applications is 28th May 2010.

You can download the Grant Guidelines and Application Form here.

More research information...

Research

Pondok Ambung Tropical Forest Research Station

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