WASHINGTON BIOLOGISTS' FIELD CLUB (WBFC)
RESEARCH AWARDS
2009
Website: www.pwrc.usgs.gov/resshow/perry/bios/WBFCHome.htm
Purpose: Grants are awarded to support research on the natural history of the Potomac Basin. Research projects that focus specifically on increasing knowledge of various plant and animal groups occurring on Plummers Island (in the Potomac River below the American Legion Bridge) will be given priority for funding. The WBFC encourages inventories of targeted taxa [e.g. rotifers, tardigrades, mites, mosses, annelids (oligochaetes & leeches) & nematodes (free-living, plant, and animal parasitic). Recent grants have supported studies of turtles, fish, insects, marsh vegetation, and terrestrial flora. Proposals on a broad range of natural history topics are appropriate. Projects that consider aspects of systematics, biodiversity, ecology, or environmental issues are of particular interest to the WBFC.
Eligibility: Applications are accepted from anyone qualified to perform the proposed research (members, university professors and students, graduates, and other researchers). Applicants who are not members are required to obtain sponsorship and a letter of support from a member. A list of sponsors may be obtained from Alma Solis (301-504-5183; alma.solis@ars.usda.gov, or Ralph Eckerlin (703-764-6051; reckerlin@nvcc.edu). The sponsoring member need not be involved in the applicant’s research or in any publication of results, but must be familiar with applicant’s scientific abilities, credentials, integrity, and proposed research. The sponsor also must be willing to serve as liaison between the grant recipient and the WBFC during the term of the award.
Financial information: Grants vary in amount, depending on the needs and nature of the project, but normally do not exceed $2500.00 per year. Funds may be used for travel to study sites, actual field expenses, honoraria for assistants, and cost of specialized equipment and tests, and additional funds will be available for targeted taxa proposals. Principal Investigator’s salary and costs of publication are not supported. Because the amounts awarded are small, overhead charges are not permitted.
Duration: Grants normally are awarded for one year, but two-year awards are possible. Projects should be designed to assure timely completion.
Application procedure: An application should contain in one electronic file (1) a short, 500-word description, including the plan of work, project design, scientific significance, and relevance to the Potomac Basin; (2) an itemized budget listing anticipated expenses and providing explanatory notes if appropriate; (3) a time schedule including the date funds will be required and a completion date; and (4) a curriculum vitae of the applicant, including educational background and a list of publications; and (5)a letter of support directly from a sponsoring member. Member specialties are on the WBFC website. Parts 4 & 5 are not required for member applications.
Responsibilities: A status report summarizing project activities is required one year after the grant is awarded, and a final report must be submitted to the WBFC when the study is completed. Publication of results should acknowledge the WBFC support. If specimens are collected, it is the responsibility of the grantee to obtain the appropriate permits and voucher specimens should be deposited in an appropriate institution.
Deadline: January 23, 2009. Submissions (and letter of support) by e-mail are preferred and should be sent to alma.solis@ars.usda.gov. Applications and letters of support, postmarked or delivered by hand, should be addressed to:
M. Alma Solis
Washington Biologists’ Field Club
c/o Smithsonian Institution
P.O. Box 37012
National Museum of Natural History, E-517, MRC 168
Washington, DC 20013-7012
Applications are normally reviewed once each year, immediately following the deadline date. Applicants will be notified of results by February 27. Early decisions may be made for projects requiring earlier start-up dates.