Volunteers

Since 1971 the Charles Darwin Foundation has maintained a Volunteer and Scholarship Program. Our main objective is to support local and national education and to provide opportunities for students and professionals to collaborate through research and conservation in the exceptional environment that is the Galapagos.

The principal goals of the program are:

  1. to generate educational opportunities; 
  2. to remove economic barriers that may block access to a better science education; 
  3. to mentor students in biology, conservation, and environmental education.

Our program includes projects with activities such as: monitoring the reproductive behavior of the Philornis downsi fly, participating in bird surveys, maintaining and managing laboratories, developing educational activities, and communicating science.

The majority of placements are based at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz island.
Volunteers may be local, national or international; students or professionals.

Vacancies

Be a volunteer at CDF. We have the following vacancies:

Volunteer

Announcement Volunteer position for the Terrestrial Invertebrates Collection (ICCDRS)

Application deadline: Until filling the vacancy
Starting time: immediately

Duration: Initially for a period of 3 months with the possibility of extending the placement for an
additional 3 months upon review.

Volunteer position for the Terrestrial Invertebrates Collection (ICCDRS)

Volunteer

Shark Ecology Volunteering

Application deadline: Immediately.
Expected start date: Immediately.
Duration: Initially for a period of 3 months with the possibility of extending the placement for an additional time upon agreement.

Shark Ecology Volunteering

How To Apply

When positions are advertised, please complete the forms below:

Please send the application electronically to vol@fcdarwin.org.ec.

The selection process may take several months, depending on the projects, availability of funds and the departmental needs of the foundation.

FAQ

1. What is the minimum age and minimum educational requirement for volunteers?
You should be 18 or older and must have completed high school to volunteer.

2. What is the minimum time I can volunteer?
The minimum stay is 3 months.

3. Do you cover food, accommodation and other costs for international volunteers?
No. Unfortunately, the Charles Darwin Research Station only offers scholarships and funding to Ecuadorian citizens. Nevertheless, we still encourage you to apply and potentially seek alternative funding.

4. Do I need health and life insurance?
Yes. We require all foreigners to have health and life insurance.

5. Should I only apply to positions with TOR?
Yes. Please respond to the Terms of Reference advertised on this site. Only exceptionally do we accept people who write letters of interest.

For more information, please contact: vol@fcdarwin.org.ec or call the CDF Volunteer Program office at (593) 5526-146 or (593) 527-013/014 ext. 338.

Support our work in the Galapagos

Our work is only possible thanks to our generous donors' support.
Your gift contributes directly to our scientists' work at the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Help us protect Galapagos!
Donations in the US are tax deductible.

Sign up to the latest news

* required

Sign up to the latest news

* required

The ‘Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands’, in French ‘Fondation Charles Darwin pour les îles Galapagos”, Association internationale sans but lucratif (AISBL), has its registered office at 54 Avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels, Belgium. Trade Registry # 0409.359.103

© 2023 Charles Darwin Foundation. All rights reserved.