Each spring, to encourage student-initiated research in wildlife-related subjects, we advertise for proposals and then award small grants to university and high school students for research projects that can be completed in a few months. Grant recipients present their findings to the public at chapter meetings.
Five Valleys Audubon Society Requests proposals for the Philip L. Wright Memorial Research Award 2023
Philip L. Wright was a professor of zoology at the University of Montana who taught mammalogy and ornithology and established the zoological museum that bears his name. Dr. Wright’s infectious enthusiasm and his passion for the natural world inspired thousands of students during his tenure and encouraged them in their research endeavors.
In remembrance of Dr. Wright and his contributions to science and the community, the Five Valleys Audubon Society established the annual Philip L. Wright Memorial Research Awards. These awards provide support for continuing students undertaking research in the fields of ecology, wildlife biology, animal behavior, environmental biology, and conservation biology.
Research awards have been in the range of $200 to $1,200. Previous awards have gone to high school, university undergraduate and graduate students. Preference is given to small projects to be completed in a few months. Accordingly, PhD research is excluded. Eligible expenses include: 1) direct costs of travel, meals, and lodging; and 2) consumable supplies and services used for the sole purpose of the project. Non-eligible expenses include wages and durable equipment (like binoculars) with a life longer than the project. FVAS does not pay for indirect costs.
Interested students should consult with Dr. Chad Bishop, Wildlife Biology Program, about the content of their application before applying.
To apply for a 2023 award, please submit a brief proposal in the following format:
I. Title of proposed research. Date of proposal.
II. Name of applicant, a proper mail address and phone number (not a university department), and e-mail address.
III. Institution and status of the applicant (e.g. sophomore at the University of Montana, junior at Hellgate High, etc.) IV. Body of proposal (no more than 3 pages) must contain the following:
A. Statement of the problem or the question to be addressed (2-3 sentences). B. Introduction and background (1/2 page).
C. Purpose of the proposed research (1-3 sentences).
D. Significance of the proposed research (1/ 2 page). E. Methods and time frame (1/2 to 1 page). The applicant should focus on what they plan to accomplish if the research is part of a larger group effort.
F. Anticipated results (1/2 page).
G. Appropriate literature references. H. Budget and Justification (1/2 page). I. Current funding and / or other funding anticipated by applicant (1-2 sentences).
V. Name, address, and phone number of an academic reference (teacher, faculty, or research advisor).
VI. Brief resume (no more than 1/2 to 2/3 pages) with name of applicant, address, phone, e-mail.
Successful applicants will be expected to provide a brief written research summary and make a short presentation (15 minutes) at a monthly meeting of the Five Valleys Audubon Society Spring of 2023.
Applications are due by 5:00 pm, Friday, March 17, 2023, and awards will be announced in April.
Please send applications to: Professor Chad Bishop (chad.bishop@umontana.edu) and cc Taylor Haas (Taylor.haas@umontana.edu) when submitting your application.
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