An educational award has been created in memory of a former board member of an environmental charity.

The Atlantic Conservation Partnership announced the Joe and Claire Smetana Research Award will grant $10,000 annually for work that will directly contribute to the improved conservation and management of Bermuda and regional migratory species, local ecosystems and biodiversity assessments.

The charity said Joseph [Joe] Smetana, a former director of ACP who passed away last August, was passionate about Bermuda and conservation, and funded a course titled Discover Bermuda, from 2009 to 2011.

The programme brought together students from St John’s University, New York, and the Bermuda College to learn about the island’s fragile ecosystem, environmental challenges and sustainable success stories, as well as Bermuda’s economy, shared cultural history and socio-economic challenges.

The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo and Bermuda Zoological Society continues to support visiting and local students with the Flagler College/Bermuda College marine science course in June.

The Joe and Claire Smetana Research Award, which was also named for Mr Smetana’s widow Claire, is available to senior undergraduate students in Bermuda and America, graduate students, postdoctoral students, and Bermudian and US scientists.

Applicants should provide a detailed research proposal and budget, as well as the Bermudian organisation or scientist the applicant will be working with, and a list of any local resources required.

Funds for stipend, travel, supplies, food, housing and lab analyses may also be considered.

The recipient will provide a complete report along with a local presentation on their work and its value.

Any published research should be sent to the curator of the Natural History Museum.

Tom Sleeter, the chairman of ACP’s research committee, commended the award.

He said: “The ACP has been pleased to support longstanding research and conservation programmes in Bermuda, including the Bermuda Turtle Project, Whales Bermuda and the health of the Sargasso Sea.

“This new award from the Smetana family will be a valuable stepping stone to help young scientists develop and address important questions.”

Anyone interested in applying for the award should complete the application form and send it, along with their proposal, to Struan Smith, the curator of the Bermuda Natural History Museum at Bamz via e-mail at srsmith@gov.bm.

The application form is available at atlanticconservationpartnership.org/experience/joe-smetana-scholarship.