Applying for Grants and Travel for Biology Grad Students

This semester you may be applying for grants for the first time. Applying for a grant is an extremely important skill to have and every graduate student is strongly encouraged to apply for grants. Below are listed some general tips, specific procedures for applying for money from Towson, and a list of potential external funding opportunities.

Tips

1) Apply to several granting agencies (if your project meets their qualifications). You never want to apply to only one granting agency. When you submit your proposal you must include all other funding agencies that you have received funding from and/or that you have applied for funding. The Towson Biology department will not fund your research proposal unless they see that you have applied for funding with other agencies. You must apply to at least the GSA fund before you apply for department funds.

2) The semester before you plan on applying for funding, write up a list of all funding agencies that you will submit to with the associated deadlines.  This applies for both research and travel funds.

3) If you are applying for travel funds plan your trip as completely as possible before starting the application process.  This includes budgets, dates of travel, information on the conference, and to what extent you will be involved in the meeting (e.g., presenting a paper or poster, attending training seminars, invited speaker).  Note that most funding sources will require some participation beyond just attending the meeting.

Applying for money from Towson GSA (Graduate Student Association)

Deadlines: October 15^th (Fall) or March 15^th (Spring) for most; rolling for travel

To apply for the GSA award, visit the GSA website (http://grad.towson.edu/gsa/awards.htm) and fill out the appropriate form and turn in by the appropriate date (October 15^th for this semester). You will need a letter of recommendation from your professor so inform her/him well in advance. There are four categories to apply under (up to $500 for each):

1. Reimbursement for research expenses

2. Presentation at a conference or convention

3. Attendance at a conference or convention

4. Original work supplies

We have been informed that you can apply for more than one category (we don’t know if they will fund you for more than one category though).

If you plan to apply for reimbursement for attending/presenting at a conference, there is a rolling deadline. As soon as you know that there is a conference that you want to attend, apply for funds.  There is a requirement that your abstract be accepted before applying; however, many on campus funding groups have this requirement but will consider applications and make awards contingent on the acceptance of your abstract.  Therefore, do not let the fact that you have not heard about your abstract keep you from applying.  If you are concerned contact the GSA office and ask about their policies concerning abstract acceptance.

Department of Biological Sciences

Deadlines: October 15^th (Fall) or March 15^th (Spring) for most; rolling for travel (but see below)

To apply for the Biology department research funds, visit the department graduate program website and fill out the appropriate form. The award is for up to $500. The money must be spent by June 30^th of the current academic year. You can apply for research supplies or for attendance/presentation at a conference. You must apply to other funding sources before you can be considered for departmental funds. 

To apply for Biology department funds for attending a conference, please keep several things in mind. First, you must submit a letter to the Department Chair (countersigned by your major professor) listing the following information: Date(s) of conference, your presentation title, whether it is an oral or poster presentation, anticipated costs (travel, registration, and room and board), and other sources you have applied for funding. Note specifically that the department expects that you have applied for other funds (GSA) before asking the department for funds. Second, the department gives priority to students presenting papers or posters. Third, the Department expects that you will look for the lowest airfares and will NOT pay late fees for registration.  Also, if more than one student is attending a particular meeting, it is expected that graduate students share hotel rooms to cut costs. Finally, once your travel has been approved you will have to complete a TU Travel Authorization form and have it signed by the Department Chair at least 30 days in advance of the meeting (available on line at: form).

Potential external funding opportunities

In general this list provides names, web sites or contact information, submission deadlines, and amounts awarded.  Students should check deadlines to make sure they are current.  The list is bias toward herpetology because of current student interest, but will up date through time to become more comprehensive.

Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research 

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: March 15, notified by the end of May or October 15, notified by the end of December

Web site: http://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/giar/appopen.shtml

> awards grants of $1000.00 or less to students in science and engineering; awards

> grants up to $2500.00 for astronomy or vision related research

> grants provided for travel expenses to/from a research site or non-standard lab equipment for research project

> do not need to be Sigma Xi member, but 75% of funds delegated to student members or applicants whose advisors are members

Science to Achieve Results (EPA STAR grants)

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: solicitation periods during the year—January, April, August, and October; check the web site for current subject areas and deadlines

Web site:  http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/

>  reviewed with GRO grants

>  up to $37,000 per year of support

>  support for a maximum of two years

Greater Research Opportunities (EPA GRO grants)

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: 

Web site:http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/ 

>  reviewed with STAR grants

>  only universities with < $50 million in federal funds

>  up to $37,000 per year of support for a maximum of two years

Chicago Herpetological Society 

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: December 31^st; awards will be announced by February 15

Web site: http://chicagoherp.org/grants/rules.html

>  Up to $500

>  must be a member of the Chicago Herpetological Society

Maryland-Nature Conservancy 

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: January 15^th (up to $4,000)

Contact: Dr. Doug Samson (301-897-8570; dsamson@tnc.org)

SSAR grants-in-herpetology

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: December 31^th

Web site: http://www.ssarherps.org/pages/GIH.html

> up to $500

Gaige Fund Award (ASIH)

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: March 1^st

Web site: http://www.asih.org/awards/gaige2.html 

>  from $400-$1,000

William C. Churchill Fund/Karl T. Frederick Memorial Fund

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: April 1^st

Contact: American Wildlife Research Foundation, Inc.; RD 2 Box 358; Meadowdale Road; Altamont, NY 12009-9534; USA; Tel.; 518 861-5357

>  up to $2,000

>  supports research that contributes to restoration, protection and conservation of natural resources including wildlife.

Chelonian Research Foundation

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: November 15^th

Web site: http://www.chelonian.org/linnaeus/

>  between $1,000 to $2,000

The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: June 24, with notification in July, for work beginning between September and May; March 15, with notification in May, for work beginning in June 

Web site: http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/lewisandclark.htm

> encourages exploratory field studies for the collection of specimens and data and to provide the imaginative stimulus that accompanies direct observation

> amounts range from several $100 up to $5000