Awards and funding sources in plant biology
This document lists sources of funding available to people working in the plant sciences. It applies to both undergrads and graduate students, most sources providing small sums of money for individuals and specific expenses. Why should a student apply for grants if their advisor and department are such wonderful sources of money? First, every penny helps. Your advisor will appreciate the effort to bring in even small sums. Second, and probably more important, grants look good on your CV. A few small grants show a prospective employer that you have experience in writing successful grant proposals. This is one of the things we look for when we evaluate applicants for positions in PBIO.
The awards are listed in alphabetical order. No particular effort has been made to sort them by topic because many have multiple applicability, and the best sources are sometimes obscure. Look at them all and keep an open mind. Only minimal information is presented here. If an award sounds like it could be useful, click on the title and go to the website (warning: some of the websites are not very informative; you may have to contact the organization).
The list has 80 entries at this time. We will update it with new sources as we discover them. Please send suggestions to Glenn Matlack at matlack@ohio.edu.
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American Philosophical Society
Title: Lewis and
Purpose: To "encourage exploratory field studies"
Constraints: Open to graduate students and post-docs.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 15
Contact:
American Society of Plant Biologists
Title: Summer Undergraduate Research Award
Purpose: To support undergraduate research in plant biology
Constraints: Must have completed Sophomore year. Must attend ASPB meeting.
Amount: $3,000 plus $500 for equipment and $500 travel grant.
Deadline: February 3
Contact: Paula Brooks, ASPB, paula@aspb.org
American
Society of Plant Biologists
Title: Travel Grants
Purpose: To support travel (?)
Constraints: ?
Amount: $500
Deadline: February 3
Contact: Paula Brooks, ASPB, paula@aspb.org
American
Society of Plant Biologists
Title:
Purpose: To recognize the outstanding contribution by a young scientist
Constraints: Applicant must be less than 40 years old
Amount: “A monetary award”
Deadline: ?
Contact: Sarah Hake, Natural Resources, U. Cal Berkeley, maizesh@nature.berkeley.edu
American
Society of Plant Biology
Title: Early Career Award
Purpose: To recognize the outstanding contribution by a young scientist
Constraints: Less than five years since applicant received PhD
Amount: “A monetary award”
Deadline: ?
Contact: S.S. Merchant, Dept. Chemistry, UC Los Angeles, merchant@chem.ucla.edu
American Society of Plant Taxonomists
Title: Graduate Research Grants
Purpose: To support graduate research in environmental sciences
Constraints: Must be a member of ASPT
Amount: $1,000 per year
Deadline: March 4
Contact: K.A. Kron,
Title: Budweiser Conservation Scholarship
Purpose: Address pressing conservation issues
Constraints: Applicant
must be a
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 13
Contact: Megan
Oliver, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,
Title: Conant Travel Award
Purpose: To facilitate student travel to international meetings
Constraints: ?
Amount: ?
Deadline: Decided before the meeting
Contact: David M.
Spooner USDA Horticulture,
Title: Physiological Section Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student presentation in plant physiology
Constraints: ?
Amount: $75 - 50
Deadline: Decided at the meeting
Contact: Christy
Carter, Environmental and Plant Biology,
Title: Li-Cor Prize
Purpose: To recognize the best student poster in plant physiology
Constraints: ?
Amount: $75 - 50
Deadline: Decided at the meeting
Contact: Christy
Carter, Environmental and Plant Biology,
Title: J.S. Karling Award
Purpose: To support graduate research
Constraints: Student and advisor must be BSA members
Amount: $500
Deadline: Nominations by March 1
Contact: David M.
Spooner USDA Horticulture,
Botanical Society of America (Ecology Section)
Title: Best Student Presentation Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student paper or poster at the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $50
Deadline: Decided at the meeting
Contact: Janice M.
Coons, Biological Sciences,
Botanical Society of America (Development and Structure Section)
Title:
Purpose: To facilitate student travel
Constraints: ?
Amount: ?
Deadline: Decided at the meeting
Contact: Larry Hufford, Biological Sciences,
Botanical Society of America (Development and Structure
Section)
Title: Katherine Esau Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student presentation on paleobotany or palynology
Constraints: ?
Amount: ?
Deadline: Decided before the meeting
Contact: Larry Hufford, Biological Sciences,
Botanical Society of America (Paleobotany
Section)
Title: MIchael Cichan Award
Purpose: To encourage work by young researchers at the interface of structure and evolution.
Constraints: Awarded to a paper published in the previous year.
Amount: ?
Deadline: Decided before the meeting
Contact: Diane M.
Erwin,
Botanical Society of America (Paleobotany
Section)
Title: Isabelle Cookson Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student presentation on paleobotany or palynology
Constraints: ?
Amount: ?
Deadline: Decided before the meeting
Contact: Diane M.
Erwin,
Canadian Botanical Association
Title: J.S. Rowe Ecology Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student paper published in the field of plant ecology
Constraints: Applicant must be enrolled in a Canadian university or a Canadian national enrolled anywhere
Amount: $250 (Canadian) and honorary membership
Deadline: April 30
Contact: Dianne Fahselt,
Council
for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (Ohio University)
Title: Student Enhancement Award
Purpose: To support student research projects
Constraints: Must be supported by a mentor
Amount: $6,000
Deadline: February 28
Contact: Roxanne
Male-Brune,
Title: Dick Dively Scholarships
Purpose: To support graduate and undergraduate students in the environmental sciences
Constraints: Within
the general
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: ?
Contact: Tom
Schaefer, Dayton Audubon,
Title: Mercer Award
Purpose: To recognize an outstanding publication by a young ecologist
Constraints: Must be 40 years of age or less
Amount: "A monetary award"
Deadline: ?
Contact: Stephen B Heard,
Dept. of Biology,
Title: Long Term Studies
Purpose: To support student travel to the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $250
Deadline: July 2
Contact: Arthur McKee, mckee@fsl.orst.edu
Title: General Education Intern
Purpose: To support study at the ESA Washington DC office
Constraints: ?
Amount: $1,950
Deadline: January 1
Contact: Internship Coordinator, Education
Office, ESA,
Title: Buell Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student oral presentation at the annual meeting
Constraints: A completed project
Amount: $500
Deadline: March 1
Contact: C.F. Sacchi, Chair of the Student Awards Committee, sacchi@kutztown.edu
Title: Braun Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student poster at the annual meeting
Constraints: As for the Buell Award (ESA)
Amount: $500
Deadline: March 1
Contact: C.F. Sacchi, Chair of the Student Awards Committee, sacchi@kutztown.edu
Ecological Society of America, Applied Ecology Section
Title: Student Travel Award
Purpose: To support student travel to the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $400
Deadline: May 15
Contact: Deborah
Potter, US Forest Service,
Ecological Society of America, Aquatic Section
Title: Student Travel Award
Purpose: To support travel to the annual meeting
Constraints: As for the Buell Award (ESA)
Amount: $150
Deadline: May 1
Contact: Chris Luecke, Section Chair, Fisheries and Wildlife,
Ecological
Society of America, Aquatic Section
Title: Student Presentation Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student talk at the annual meeting
Constraints: As for the Buell Award (ESA)
Amount: $200
Deadline: April 1
Contact: Chris Luecke, Section Chair, Fisheries and Wildlife,
Ecological
Society of America, Aquatic Section
Title: Thomas M. Frost Award
Purpose: To recognize excellence in published graduate research
Constraints: ?
Amount: "A plaque and a cash prize"
Deadline: April 1
Contact: Kathy Cottingham, Biol. Sci.,
Ecological Society of America (Paleoecology
Section)
Title: E.S. Deevey Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student presentation in paleoecology at the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $150
Deadline: July 15
Contact: Dan Gavin, dgavin@life.uinc.edu
Ecological
Society of America, Physiological Ecology Section
Title:
Purpose: To recognize the best student paper in physiological ecology at the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $500
Deadline: June 6
Contact: Gretchen
North, Dept. Biology,
Ecological Society of America, Physiological Ecology
Section
Title: Best Student Poster Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student poster in physiological ecology at the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $500
Deadline: June 6
Contact: Gretchen
North, Dept. Biology,
Ecological Society of America (Plant Population Ecology)
Title: Student Travel Award
Purpose: To support student travel to the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: ?
Deadline: ?
Contact: Randy
Mitchell,
Ecological Society of America (Soil Ecology Section)
Title: Best Student Presentation
Purpose: To recognize the best student presentation in soil ecology at the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $200
Deadline: July 15
Contact: Jayne Belknap, US Geological Survey, jayne_belknap@usgs.gov
Ecological
Society of America (Southeastern Chapter)
Title: Eugene P. Odum Award
Purpose: Best student presentation at the Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $300
Deadline: ?
Contact: James O. Luken, Dept Biology, Coastal
Ecological Society of America (Southeastern Chapter)
Title: Quarterman-Keever Award
Purpose: Best student poster at the Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $300
Deadline: ?
Contact: James O. Luken, Dept Biology, Coastal
Ecological Society of America (Statistical Ecology)
Title: E.C. Pielou Award
Purpose: To recognize the outstanding student presentation at the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: $200
Deadline: June 1
Contact: Randy Balice, balice@lanl.gov
Ecological
Society of America (Vegetation Section)
Title: Ton Damman Award
Purpose: To recognize the outstanding student presentation at the annual meeting
Constraints: As for the Buell Award
Amount: "A monetary award"
Deadline: July 13
Contact: Scott Collins,
EPA National Center for Environmental Research
Title: Graduate Research Opportunities Fellowship
Purpose: To support graduate research in environmental sciences
Constraints: US Citizens
Amount: $37,000 per year
Deadline: November 23 (pre-applications due)
Contact: Stephanie Willett, STAR Project Officer, Environmental Protection Agency, willett.stephanie@epa.gov
EPA National Center for Environmental Research
Title: Star Fellowship
Purpose: To support graduate research in environmental sciences
Constraints: US Citizens
Amount: $37,000 per year
Deadline: October 18
Contact: Stephanie Willett, STAR Project Officer, Environmental Protection Agency, willett.stephanie@epa.gov
Title: US Student Fulbright Scholar Program
Purpose: To support graduate research abroad
Constraints: Must have graduate status
Amount: Travel expenses
Deadline: November 2
Contact: Elizabeth Clodfelter, Center for International Studies,
Title: GCA Interchange Fellowship
Purpose:
To support graduate work in “horticulture” in the
Constraints: British Citizenship
Amount:
Costs of tuition, housing, etc. in
Deadline: November 15
Contact:
Ms. Judy Smith, Garden Club of
Title: Martin McLaren Scholarship
Purpose:
To support study in botany in the
Constraints:
Amount:
Costs of tuition, housing, etc. in
Deadline: November 15
Contact:
Ms. Judy Smith, Garden Club of
Title: The Mary T. Carothers Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship
Purpose: To support summer study
Constraints: ?
Deadline: February 10
Contact:
Ms. Judy Smith, Garden Club of
Title: Clara Carter Higgins Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship
Purpose: To support summer study
Constraints: Undergraduates
Deadline: February 10
Contact:
Ms. Connie Sutton, Garden Club of
Title: Elizabeth Gardner Norweb Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship
Purpose: To support summer study
Constraints: ?
Deadline: February 10
Contact:
Ms. Connie Sutton, Garden Club of
Title: The Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarships
Purpose: To support study of horticulture and related fields
Constraints:
Preference given to students from
Deadline: February 1
Contact:
Mrs. Nancy Stevenson, Grosscup Scholarship Committee,
Title: The Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship
Purpose: To support study of endangered species
Constraints: ?
Title: The GCA Awards In Tropical Botany
Purpose: To support study of tropical forests
Constraints: Doctoral study
Title: The Frances M. Peacock Scholarship For Native Bird Habitat
Purpose: To support study of endangered bird species habitats
Constraints: “Advanced students”
Title: The Anne S. Chatham Fellowship In Medicinal Botany
Purpose: To preserve knowledge of medicinal plants
Constraints: Doctoral and Post-doc study
Title: The GCA Award In Coastal Wetlands Studies
Purpose: To promote study of wetland communities
Constraints: Graduate students
Title: The GCA Summer Scholarship In Field Botany
Purpose: Summer studies in field botany
Constraints: Masters students
Title: The Loy McCandless Marks Scholarship In Tropical Horticulture
Purpose: To support foreign study
Constraints: “Advanced students”
Title: The GCA Fellowship In Ecological Restoration
Purpose: To study of ecological restoration
Constraints: Graduate study
Title: The Hunt Summer Scholarship In Field Botany
Purpose: To support summer field study
Constraints:
Must be within the
Title: The Zeller Summer Scholarship in Medicinal Botany
Purpose: To support study of medicinal botany
Constraints: Undergraduates
Title: The Caroline Thorn Kissel Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship
Purpose: To support study of medicinal botany
Constraints:
Must be from
Title: Zone VI Fellowhsip in Urban Forestry
Purpose: To support study of urban forestry and related subjects
Constraints:
Must be from
Title: Travel Grant
Purpose: To support travel to professional meetings
Constraints: Graduate student enrolled at OU
Amount: $300
Deadline: September 24, January 21, April 15
Contact: Ryan Botts, Graduate Student Senate, Lindley Hall, OU rb110503@ohio.edu
Title: Grant for Original Work
Purpose: To support original graduate student research or creative activity
Constraints: Graduate student enrolled at OU
Amount: $500
Deadline: September 24, January 21, April 15
Contact: Ryan Botts, Graduate Student Senate, Lindley Hall, OU rb110503@ohio.edu
Title: HSA Research Grant
Purpose: Research on the horticulture, science, or social applications of herbs through history
Constraints: ?
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 31
Contact: Gretchen
Faro, Herb Society of America,
Title: M.K. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
Purpose: To support undergraduate study in the environmental sciences
Constraints: Sophomore or Junior status
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: October 1
Contact: M.K. Udall Foundation,
Title: Graduate Research Fellowship Program (Life Sciences)
Purpose: To support graduate research
Constraints: Must be
enrolled in a
Amount: $37,000 per year
Deadline: November 2
Contact:
Title: Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants (Biological Sciences)
Purpose: To provide partial support for doctoral research to improve the quality of research.
Constraints: Must
have advanced to candidacy (passed comps) in a
Amount: $10,000 per year
Deadline: November 18
Contact: DDIG Program Office, National Science Foundation, ddbig-deb@nsf.gov
Title: Graduate Student Research Award
Purpose: To support
research on the flora of
Constraints: Must
tie in with
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 1
Contact: Julie
Richburg, Dept. Natural Resources, U. Massachusetts,
Title: Small Grant Awards
Purpose: To support
work in
Constraints: Must be individual or institutional members of OBS
Amount: $500
Deadline: February 1
Contact: Small Grant
Awards, Ohio Biological Survey,
Columbus, ohiobiosurvey@rrohio.com
Ohio
Department of Natural Resources
Title: Urban Streams Program
Purpose: Monitoring and investigating stream resources
Constraints: In conjunction Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Amount: $ 5,000 - 40,000
Deadline: ?
Contact: John
Matthews, ODNR,
Title: Stephen J. Gould Grants
Purpose: To support study in any aspect of paleontoloty
Constraints: Student members of the Paleontological Society
Amount: $500
Deadline: February 15
Contact: Dr. John Groves, Department of Earth Sciences, The
Title: International Research Program Sepkoski Grants
Purpose: To support study in any aspect of paleontoloty
Constraints: Must live in/be from
Amount: $500
Deadline: April 1
Contact:
Dr. Ronald L. Parsley, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Tulane University,
Pell
Grants (US Dept. Education)
Title: Pell Grant
Purpose: To support undergraduate education
Constraints: Applies only to undergraduates
Amount: $4,050
Deadline: September 15
Contact: ?
Title: Grants in Aid of Research
Purpose: To cover travel expenses or non-standard equipment
Constraints: Membership in Sigma Xi
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: October 15, March 15
Contact: Sue Ann Miller, Sigma Xi, giar@sigmaxi.org.
Society
for Conservation Biology
Title: Student Presentation Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student presentation at the annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: "A monetary award"
Deadline: ?
Contact:
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Div. of Ecol and Evol.
Title: Bartholomew Award
Purpose: To support PhD research
Constraints: Comparative physiology and biochemistry
Amount: ?
Deadline: ?
Contact: Chair of the Award Committee, elling@bio.fsu.edu
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biol., Div. of
Ecol. and Evol.
Title: Graduate research grant-in-aid
Purpose: To aid graduate research
Constraints: The group is heavy to zoologists, but supports a variety of topics
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: November 21
Contact: Brian Tsukimura,
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Div. of
Ecol and Evol.
Title: Best Student Paper Award
Purpose: To recognize the best poster and oral paper at the SICB annual meeting
Constraints: The group is heavy to zoologists, but supports a variety of topics
Amount: "A certificate and monetary award"
Deadline: ?
Contact: Brian Tsukimura,
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Div. of
Ecol and Evol.
Title: Graduate travel fellowship
Purpose: To support travel to field stations and field sites
Constraints: The group is heavy to zoologists, but supports a variety of topics
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: November 21
Contact: Brian Tsukimura,
Title: Best Student Presentation Award
Purpose: To recognize the best student presentation at the SES annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: ?
Deadline: ?
Contact: Julie Jastrow, Argonne National Laboratory,
Title: Parkinson Student Travel Awards
Purpose: To allow students to participate in the SES annual meeting
Constraints: ?
Amount: ?
Deadline: ?
Contact: Julie Jastrow, Argonne National Laboratory,
Southern
Appalachian Botanical Society
Title: Earl Core Student Award
Purpose: To student research projects
Constraints: Membership in SABS
Amount: $300
Deadline: February 1
Contact: Lucile
McCook, Department of Biology,
Title: Student Fellowship Award
Purpose: To support student research
Constraints: Must be a member of the Society. Must be used for field work.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: December 31
Contact: Scott A.
Mori,
Western Reserve Herb Society (Ohio)
Title: Undergraduate Scholarship
Purpose: To support undergraduate study in horticulture
Constraints: Must be
an
Amount: < $2,000
Deadline: March 15
Contact: Jane
Cavanaugh, WRHS,
Western
Reserve Herb Society (Ohio)
Title: Francis Zverina Scholarship
Purpose: To support undergraduate study in horticulture
Constraints: Must be
an
Amount: < $1,500
Deadline: March 15
Contact: Jane
Cavanaugh, WRHS,