Environmental Field Site Program

The UNC Institute for the Environment partners with the UNC Curriculum for the Environment and Ecology to manage a network of field sites in three North Carolina locations: Manteo (Outer Banks), Morehead City, and Highlands, NC. The international field sites are in the Galapagos and Thailand. Undergraduate students participate in semester-long programs, choosing from multiple diverse locations that offer a rich variety of environmental research and community outreach opportunities. Students explore real-world issues through coursework, field trips, group research projects, and internships with local organizations to help solve current pressing environmental issues. Host communities help shape the curriculum at each site, and faculty and students share their research results with community partners.

The Need

The environmental field site independent research fund will support requests for supplemental funding for research supplies beyond those available at the host site. Field site students will submit requests prior to, or within the semester they are participating in a field site. The purpose of the fund is to remove obstacles to conducting high-quality independent research projects. There is also a need to increase funding for environmental field site scholarships to support more students with an interest in the environment who have financial needs. Donations supplement students’ living expenses, including books, supplies, and other expenses associated with living away from campus.

 

Research or Scholarship Gifts

Research or scholarship gifts can be used immediately to support student research or a student scholarship during the next available application period. These gifts can be made annually at the $5,000+ level over a 5-year period for a minimum total donation of $25,000.