Chevening post-study plans: Wildlife Connecting Brazil and the UK

Hi everyone! This is my drift for the chevening post-study plans essay. I'd really appreciate if you guys could take a look at if for me and help me improve my grammar and the general essay content. Thanks in advance!

Chevening is looking for individuals who have a clear post-study career plan. Please outline your immediate plans upon returning home and your longer term career goals. You may wish to consider how these relate to what the UK government is doing in your country. (minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

implementing effective environmental policies

In spite of the environmental policies adopted by several governments around the world, only a deep understanding of natural processes can allow us to succeed in tackling the loss of biodiversity. Bearing these considerations in mind, I have established my immediate and long-term career plans early in my academic life.

The lack of effective methods for the reproduction of endangered species in captivity and their further reintroduction in protected areas, has led me to carry out my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and work as a conservation biologist.

The improvements that I have made as head biologist at the Projeto Asas Vila Verde (a wild animal release centre) has shown me how much I can contribute to the conservation of nature. Despite this, I feel that in order to continue my progress, I must develop a deeper and wider range of science-based knowledge. Therefore, I will undertake my PhD in Conservation Biology as soon as I return to Brazil with the purpose of synchronizing the advanced research that I will have developed in the UK with specific Brazilian needs.

The Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund established by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the UK government has committed £14 million to 47 projects in more than 30 countries since 2013. None of them in South America. None of them in Brazil. It is unacceptable that such global effort have not yet reached one of the world's most biodiverse country. Thus, my immediate goal is to ensure that the Brazilian conservation projects will be contemplated in as many international conservation funds as possible.

I plan to create an organization that encourages and supports conservation start-ups and public-private partnerships in Brazil. Working alongside a strong network of researchers and technicians engaged in creating study groups and commissions, I plan to approach governmental agencies, universities, NGOs and private corporations.

By incentivising the development of wildlife and research centres, as well as the creation of new protected areas, I intend to help endangered species to recover and to reduce extinction rates.

My aim is to provide science-based policies at an international level, fulfilling my long-term goal of being to carry out applied research for the development of innovative strategies in wildlife conservation worldwide.

The UK government has been helping developing countries to prevent the loss of biodiversity through the International Climate Fund in support of REDD+. Through the UK Science and Innovation Network, I plan to increase dialogue between Brazil and the UK in order to improve research funding mechanisms such as the Newton Fund and the Darwin Initiative, and also to create new schemes. Ultimately, my final goal is to strengthen their ongoing bilateral cooperation agreed at the international climate change conference in Cancun and at the conference on biodiversity in Nagoya in 2010.

After implementing effective environmental policies in Brazil, I plan to apply my knowledge and experience to the conservation of other biodiversity hotspots, such as the Caribbean Islands, the Tropical Andes and the Mediterranean Basin.

That's it... 498 words

Rodrigo, you just tanked your possibility of receiving this scholarship because you have openly admitted that there is no UK project in your country to tie your post study plan career to. If there is no UK organization in your country to hitch your wagon to then you will not get the scholarship. Everyone whom I have helped that did not get the scholarship all had the same reason, lack of UK connection in the post study plan.

Bear in mind that the Chevening scholarship program has a set of priority areas for study and scholarship support. While Chevening has said that they will also support courses not included in the country priority areas, it may be difficult for you to gain a scholarship spot because your application will not be part of the priority considerations and those slots fill up fast. I hope this will not be the case for you.

In this instance, you will have to justify why the committee should consider your field of study a priority area as well. Don't waste the space on the first 2 paragraphs. That is already repeated information. Instead, open with the fact that the UK government doesn't have a project in Brazil for wildlife preservation. You will need to plead your case in this instance and prove that the presence of the UK government in Brazil is important if the wildlife is to be preserved.

You should not mention that you want to increase funding for your projects through various organizations. Discuss only the UK connection. Figure out what wildlife conservation projects the UK has in other countries and build on that. Convince them that the funding should also be established in Brazil. Don't muddle the issue with so many other agreements, initiatives, and the like. The UK connection is the sole focus of this essay and that is what you should be developing in the essay.

I am not assuring you that changing the slant of the essay will work but it is worth a shot. I truly hope that you are considered for and awarded a scholarship because of your noble intentions. The most I can do is help you try to create the best possible post study career plan for the reviewer's consideration.

@Holt
You're absolutely right. I haven't noticed that there were priority areas related to chevening sponsors. After reading your comments, I carefully searched for universities that are not only comprised in program, but also that are direct sponsors and are willing to award conservation biology students.

I'll work on a new essay considering everything you said, and i hope to hear from you again! Your help is absolutely priceless! Thank you!