Scholarships for Trinidad & Tobago Citizens

Buccoo Reef Trust (BRT), Coral Cay Conservation (CCC), the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the United Nations Development Program GEF-SGP are seeking applicants for a series of Marine Scholarship Programs offered monthly for the next two years in Tobago. The scholarships are open to residents of Trinidad and Tobago wishing to make an active contribution towards the protection and sustainable use of Tobago’s coral reefs. This includes tourism professionals, fishermen, government employees, recent graduates from academic programs and educators. Preference will be given to suitable candidates who are residents of Tobago. There is no cost for the programs although, depending on the program, scholars are responsible for some expenses.

Three types of scholarships are available. Not all three will be offered each month. Please refer to this website for monthly updates to program availability and application deadlines.

• TCEMP Reef Ecosystem Management Award

This one-day Saturday course includes training in snorkelling, identification of major fish and coral groups and discussions of coral reef ecology and management.

• TCEMP ReefCheck SCUBA Award

This two-week award includes certification to PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, identification of target marine life-forms and training in ReefCheck survey techniques.

• TCEMP Reef Conservation SCUBA Award

This intensive four-week program has scholars reside at the expedition site five days a week. Training includes PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification, identification of over 300 marine life forms and rigorous scientific surveying of coral reef ecosystems.

Application Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to participate in the Award Scheme:

• Be a national of Trinidad and Tobago (18+ years of age) with a proven interest in the discipline

• Have good oral/reading ability in English

• Be medically fit to undertake project activities

• Be able to swim 200m and tread water for 10 mins

• Be able to meet the time commitments required for the award

Note that preference will be given to residents of Tobago.

Application Process

Candidates who meet the application criteria should submit an application. Please fill out and submit the application form downloadable here. Application forms are also available at the Buccoo Reef Trust office. Please be sure to indicate which scholarships you are applying for.

Suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview. Scholars who are accepted into the program will need to obtain medical clearance and purchase diving insurance (Divers Alert Network (DAN) Membership and Insurance can be bought for about US$55). Coral Cay Conservation and Buccoo Reef Trust can provide advice and guidance with these steps.

Submit Applications:
by e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

by mail, fax or in person:
TCEMP Marine Scholarship Program
c/o Buccoo Reef Trust
Cowie’s Building, Carnbee Junction
Auchenskeoch Rd.
Carnbee, Tobago, W.I.
Tel. 868 635 2000
Fax. 868 639 7333
Email. click here

Scholars with appropriate SCUBA certification may join the program for Science Training. Scholarships will continue to be offered in the fall. Please monitor this webpage for updates.

Detailed Program Descriptions

TCEMP Reef Ecosystem Management Award (REMA)

This one-day course, available one Saturday each month, provides training in:

• Basic snorkelling technique

• Identification of major fish and coral groups

• Introduction to survey techniques and data interpretation

• Basic coral reef ecology

• Lectures and discussion on coastal ecosystem threats and management

The course runs from 9:00am to 5:00pm and accommodates 10 participants. Participants must bring their own mask and snorkel, provide their own transport to the expedition site in Tobago, and supply their own lunch.

TCEMP ReefCheck SCUBA Award (RChSA)

This two-week course provides training in:

• Scuba diving (to PADI Advanced Open Water Certification)

• Identification of target marine life forms

• Conducting internationally recognized Reef Check global reef monitoring surveys

• Interpretation of survey data

The course runs from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, weekdays for 2 weeks, once a month. The program accommodates two participants. Lunches would be provided at the site. Diving equipment is provided however participants are responsible for their own insurance*. Participants are also responsible for their own transport to the site.

TCEMP Reef Conservation SCUBA Award (RCoSA)

This four-week intensive scholarship course provides training in:

• Scuba diving (to PADI Advanced Open Water Certification)

• Identification of more than 300 marine life forms

• Conducting detailed, scientifically rigorous surveys of coral reefs

• Interpretation of survey data

The course runs from 6:30am to 9:00pm weekdays for four weeks with two positions available in each program. This program is the training given to international volunteers who conduct the surveys generating the data for the TCEMP. It is preferred that participants reside at the site in which case room and board are provided. Diving equipment is provided however participants are responsible for their own insurance*.

*Divers Alert Network (DAN) Membership and Insurance can be bought for about US$55.

Scholars who already have PADI Advanced Open Water SCUBA Certification do not need to complete the SCUBA Training portions of the programs and can join at a later date.