Schmink Innovation Award

About this program

Offered by the Tropical Conservation & Development (TCD) Program at the University of Florida’s Center for Latin American Studies and funded by an endowment honoring Dr. Marianne Schmink, the Schmink Innovation Award provides up to $1,200 to catalyze novel approaches that advance human well‑being, economic development, and biodiversity conservation in tropical and subtropical regions. Projects should demonstrate non‑business‑as‑usual innovation with potential for impact, replication, and shared learning, and may include capacity‑building initiatives, alumni/student networking, or applied extensions of research. Eligible applicants are TCD faculty, students, alumni, or partners (preference for those affiliated with UF TCD); a TCD student may be PI on only one Schmink Award per degree program and the award is not intended to fund Master's or Ph.D. thesis/dissertation research. Applications (due November 9, 2026) require a single PDF uploaded via the online form containing PI CV(s) (≤3 pages), a proposal up to 5 single‑spaced pages addressing activities, anticipated products, qualifications, innovation rationale, and a simple budget; proposals are reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee.