Funding Sources
Department of Zoology
Purpose: General departmental funds to support research and professional development
Each graduate student in a Ph.D. or Plan A Master's program in the department of Zoology is eligible to receive modest funding from the department during the academic year for support of research and professional development. Funds allocated to graduate students in recent years have been awarded mainly for purchase of research supplies, and to defray costs of travel to professional meetings. Unfortunately, budget limitations will force us to limit most awards to $300 or less. Requests for more than $300 during the current academic year will require exceptionally strong justification.
Guidelines for requesting departmental support:
1. Submit a one-page cover letter to the current Director of Graduate Studies describing the research you are currently pursuing, and how you intend to utilize funds awarded.
Please do not submit requests directly to the department chairperson.
2. A summary budget and a brief justification of major budget items.
3. If you will seek funds to attend a professional meeting, you should attach an abstract of the paper you will present there, as well as a photocopy of the meeting announcement, stating dates, location, etc.
4. All University business related travel (seminars, conferences, field research, etc.) must be authorized in advance of departure. Contact Sue Platte before travel at 432-9817 or by email at plattes@msu.edu.
Deadlines:
• 1 April: Last day to request departmental funds
• 30 June: Last day for expenditure of awarded funds
After supplies have been received or travel has been completed, give all receipts and used air tickets directly to Sue Platte in 219 Natural Science.
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George J. Wallace and Martha C. Wallace Endowed Scholarship Award
Purpose: For graduate students working with birds
The Department of Zoology is pleased to announce the competition for the annual award of the George J. Wallace and Martha C. Wallace scholarship. This award is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated:
• the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals,
• the motivation to achieve these goals, and
• the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.
The applicants should be graduate level students (in exceptional cases, advanced undergraduate students will be considered), have an exceptional academic record, and be pursuing a Master's or Doctoral program in avian research. Preference will be given to specialties in behavioral, ecological or systematic research on birds.
Application information and materials
Download the application form directly:
Wallace_Scholarship.doc
Wallace_Scholarship.pdf
For questions regarding this form, contact:
Dr. Catherine Lindell
Chair, Wallace Scholarship Committee
Department of Zoology
Phone: (517) 353-9874
Email: lindellc@msu.edu
Deadline: Application must be submitted by March 1st
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Dr. Marvin Hensley Endowed Scholarship in Zoology
Purpose: For graduate students and undergraduate students performing field research
The Department of Zoology is pleased to announce the Dr. Marvin Hensley Endowed Scholarship for graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of Zoology. The scholarship was established to further the disciplines of zoological and biological science. Its goal is to provide financial support for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing education in vertebrate zoology with emphasis on field study.
One undergraduate and one graduate scholarship shall be awarded each year. Selection of the recipient normally will be made in the spring of each year with the award being paid for the upcoming Fall. The scholarship is administered by the Department of Zoology.
Undergraduate recipients shall be chosen on the following basis:
• Enrolled in undergraduate studies in the Department of Zoology throughout the proposed project period.
• An outstanding academic record.
• Studying a topic related to vertebrate biology with emphasis on field research.
• Financial needs will be considered.
Graduate recipients shall be chosen on the following basis:
• Enrolled in graduate studies in the Department of Zoology, and maintain graduate standing consistent with
College requirements throughout the proposed project period.
• An outstanding academic record.
• Studying a topic related to vertebrate biology with emphasis on field research.
• Financial needs will be considered.
• Renewable for up to three years on advisor's view of satisfactory progress.
Award amounts for 2008 will posted to this website when available. The awards for 2006-2007 were:
• $5,900 for the Undergraduate Student Scholarship
• $8,850 for the Graduate Student Scholarship
Application information and materials
Applications should be made to:
Dr. Nathaniel Ostrom
Department of Zoology
203 Natural Science Building
Email: ostromn@msu.edu
Application packet should include:
• Copies of all university transcripts.
• Maximum of two pages description of research project (include duration of project). This document should be limited to two double-spaced pages.
• Letter of recommendation from your advisor.
• Copy of projected budget (include such requests as travel, equipment, lodging, service costs, software, etc.).
Deadline: Application for the 2007-2008 scholarship must be submitted by April 1, 2008.
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John R. Shaver Ph.D. Graduate Student Fund in Zoology
Purpose: to support thesis-related research by Zoology graduate students on any topic
The Department of Zoology is pleased to announce a funding competition for graduate students seeking financial support for their dissertation research. John R. Shaver, who served on the faculty of our department from 1956 to 1981, created this endowment to express his support for a strong graduate program in Zoology. These funds can be used for (but are not limited to) supplementary or summer stipends, research-related travel, and research supplies.
We expect to make three to four merit-based awards each spring in amounts ranging from $1000-2000.
Required application materials:
1) A project description not to exceed two double spaced pages (references may appear on additional pages) of 12-point font.
2) A budget and budget justification.
3) A curriculum vitae.
4) A brief letter of endorsement from the major professor.
Deadline for application: Submit all application materials to Lisa Craft (craftl@msu.edu) before the deadline, which will be announced in March or early April
For questions regarding this form, contact:
Dr. Nathaniel Ostrom
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Zoology
203 Natural Science
Email: ostromn@msu.edu