Independent Research
CPBS supports independent research conducted by a variety of scientists including graduate students, professors, and independent researchers.
We host researchers whose projects enrich our own long-term research, and support those asking their own unique questions. For those interested in conducting research at Caño Palma, please reach out to the Station Manager (Charlotte Foale; station@coterc.org), and the Director of Research and Conservation (Emily Khazan; researchconservation@coterc.org) with details on your intentions and any questions.
THE DETAILS.
What we offer:
Researchers who want a base from which to pursue their studies will receive logistical support and advice from our staff throughout the process. Our relationship with the local community often allows us competitive rates for local services and provides us local knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your field work.
The process for applying to conduct independent research at CPBS is as follows:
Researcher submits their application documents to station@coterc.org and researchconservation@coterc.org for review.
Review by the station manager, research coordinator, and the COTERC board of directors.
Researcher submits their research proposal to the Ministry for the Environment in Costa Rica (MINAE) for approval (IF proposal will include data collection outside of CPBS’s normal permits and projects).
Once the researcher has confirmed arrival dates, they will be sent all logistical information required for in-country travel and arrival coordination.
Important notes on conducting independent research at CPBS:
An MOU (memorandum of understanding), a data sharing agreement, must be written up by the Research Coordinator if the researcher plans to use Station data. This should be signed by the Research Coordinator, researcher and Director of Research prior to the researcher’s arrival.
Approvals for research through MINAE often take upward of two months; consider this in your application timeline and apply as early as possible.
Research that requires the removal of samples will require additional export permits to remove the samples from Costa Rica, as well as import permits to your country of origin. These are lengthy processes and are the responsibility of the independent researcher.
Researchers are required to submit whole or part of their final report to COTERC for publication/reference on the website.
If you or your group have a project you would like to complete with CPBS, please reach out to the Station Manager (Charlotte Foale; station@coterc.org), and the Director of Research and Conservation (Emily Khazan; researchconservation@coterc.org) with details on your intentions and a detailed project proposal outlining your project and including any requirements for equipment, transportation, and in-field assistance from station staff and/or local guides.
