2008 American Ornithologists' Union Research Awards
Introduction
The Josselyn Van Tyne Memorial Research Fund, Alexander Wetmore Memorial Research Fund, Margaret Morse Nice Fund, Donald L. Bleitz Fund, Herbert and Betty Carnes Fund, and AOU Research Grants Fund were established to provide research funds for student members of the American Ornithologists' Union or other members without access to funds from major granting agencies. The Van Tyne, Bleitz, and Research Grants funds provide support for research in all areas of avian biology. The Wetmore Memorial Fund supports research in avian systematics, paleo-ornithology, biogeography, and neotropical biology. The Margaret Morse Nice Fund is designated to encourage ornithological research by female graduate students. In addition, research awards from the Carnes bequest to the AOU are available. As stipulated in Betty Carnes' will, recipients of this award must be females and non-smokers (i.e., have not smoked for at least the previous six months).
The AOU Committee on Research Awards will accept only one application per applicant per year. After evaluating and ranking all proposals, the Chair of the Committee will determine which fund is most appropriate for supporting the top proposals. Thus, applicants need not indicate that they are applying for a particular award. Applicants wishing to be considered for money from the Carnes fund (in addition to the other awards) must, however, indicate this on the cover page. The Committee will likely award about 28 - 30 grants in 2008. Awards are made in amounts up to a maximum of $1,800.
Travel Awards for students to attend the annual AOU meetings are not administered by the Committee on Research Awards. Information regarding the Annual Meeting, including application procedures for Student Travel and Presentation Awards, can be found on the Meetings page.
Eligibility
Successful applicants may receive only one research award per year, and only two research awards in a lifetime. Typically, those two awards would be for an M.S. project and, later, for a Ph.D. project. However, because undergraduate students and individuals engaged in independent research (not associated with a university) also may apply for an AOU Research Award, other scenarios are possible (e.g., an award for an undergraduate project and, later, for a Ph.D. project). Individuals are limited to one award per degree program or project (e.g., a doctoral student can only receive one award during his/her doctoral program). Applicants for an AOU Research Award also may apply for funds from other sources (e.g., the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund, Sigma Xi, Animal Behavior Society, and those listed on the BIRDNET grants page). However, requests for funding from other sources must be noted in your proposal (see below). If successful in obtaining funds from both the AOU and other sources, applicants are expected to notify the Committee Chair.
Remember that you must be a member of the AOU to be considered for these awards. If you are currently not a member, then join immediately. For additional information, check out:
Preparing an Application
Successful applications are usually built around one, or a few, carefully defined, feasible, and clearly delineated question(s). Common problems with applications include: proposed research projects that are too broad and overly ambitious, objectives defined too loosely, and the methods stated too vaguely. Having the proposal read and critiqued by your advisor and one or two additional colleagues will likely improve its readability and overall quality. Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Significance and originality of the scientific question
- Clarity of the objectives
- Feasibility of the plan of research
- Appropriateness of the budget
Other characteristics of a good proposal include necessary background information, alternative hypotheses (if appropriate), relevant citations and figures, and clear, concise writing. For additional information about how to write a good proposal, check out the AOU Research Awards' "Hints for Writing a Successful Proposal".
Approval of Advisor
Students must have their academic advisors sign their application form prior to submission. A letter of recommendation no longer is required.
Submission and Deadline
Applications should be received by 4 February 2008.
Send ten (10) complete collated copies of the proposal and the application form directly to:
- Dr. Reed Bowman, Chair
- AOU Committee on Research Awards
- Avian Ecology Lab
- Archbold Biological Station
- 123 Main Drive
- Venus , FL 33960
Applications should not be send to the AOU permanent headquarters or to any other AOU office. Do not fax or e-mail any portion of your application. Applications received after 4 February 2008, incomplete applications, and applications not including the required ten copies will not be considered and will be returned. Please make sure all materials are appropriately collated, including the cover sheet or application form. Note that 4 February is not a postmark deadline, but rather the deadline for receipt of materials. Use express mail, if necessary. Notification of receipt of your proposal will be by e-mail, if possible. Be sure the e-mail address on the cover page of your proposal is correct. Applicants without access to e-mail should provide a stamped (U.S. applicants only), self-addressed envelope as part of the application packet.
If you have any questions about the application process, feel free to contact Dr. Bowman by phone (863-465-2571), by e-mail (), or by regular mail.
Award Notifications
All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by 1 May 2008. The official announcement of awards will take place at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the AOU in Portland, Oregon.
Reporting and Accounting
Successful applicants are asked to write a brief report summarizing their accomplishments at the completion of their project, or by one year after receiving the award, whichever comes first. Successful applicants are required to keep records of their expenditures and to submit a table and receipts to the current Committee Chair at the end of their project or by the end of a year following award receipt. Successful applicants also must acknowledge their AOU award in any publications resulting from the funded project. One copy of any such publication (or thesis abstract) should be sent to the current Chair as soon as the publication is available.
Application Format
A complete application consists of four parts. Send ten (10) copies of parts 1-4, collated and stapled in that sequence. Use the following format in preparing your application:
1. Cover Page
Applicants are asked to indicate their gender by circling male or female. This optional information helps the committee chair because some given names are identical for both males and females. Remember to sign and date the cover page. Unsigned proposals will be returned.
2. Proposal Statement
Type-written and double-spaced, not exceeding five (5) pages and not exceeding 1,200 words. (Five double-spaced pages with one-inch top, bottom, and side margins in a 12-point font comes to about 1,200 words.) Cite references in the text using the author-date method (see The Auk's Checklist of Instructions to Authors). Include the following in the body of the proposal:
- Abstract (about 150 words).
- Introduction:
- Provide relevant background information.
- Clearly explain the significance and uniqueness of your project and what 'gap' (or unanswered question) in the literature your study will address & help clarify. What information will your study provide that is not currently available? How will your study help answer important questions in the ornithological literature?
- Clearly state the specific objective(s) of the project.
- Methods and experimental design:
- Explain how the study will be carried out and, where necessary, explain why this approach, & not others, was chosen.
- Provide references where possible to lend support to your choice of methods.
- Given the varying backgrounds of members of AOU Committee on Research Awards, write this section for reviewers who may know little about the specific methodological details in your particular field.
- If the project involves capturing, manipulating, or collecting animals, or otherwise requires permits (especially if it is to be conducted in a foreign country), make it clear that you have obtained, or have at least initiated the process of securing, the necessary permits. Any study that involves collecting (killing) birds must be thoroughly justified, performed according to state and federal permits, and approved by appropriate Institutional Animal Care Committees.
- Timetable: Dates for completion of project, graduation (if applicable), and publication of results.
- Facilities: Describe the available facilities (e.g., specialized equipment, labs, and study sites) required for the proposed project. Clearly indicate the extent to which you have made arrangements for the use of facilities, e.g., "Dr. X at the University of Y has agreed to help me with the use of her sound analysis equipment during July 2008."
- Literature Cited: Cite references according to the format used in The Auk . This section does not count as part of the five page, 1,200 word maximum.
- Figures, legends, and tables: Use as necessary to clarify the text. Photo-reduce and arrange these so that they all fit on one page. This page does not count as part of the five page, 1,200 word maximum.
3. Budget
Be reasonable and specific, and remember that the maximum request is $1,800 . Padded budgets and requests for items that do not appear necessary will reduce the chances of your study being funded. Appropriate budget item requests include: essential research-related travel (e.g., to and from a study site), expendable supplies and equipment, and living expenses in the field for the applicant and, if essential, field assistants. Requests for salaries for assistants are appropriate only if you can convince the committee that volunteers are not available. Inappropriate requests for budget items include: routine living expenses, stipend or salary for yourself, travel to meetings, supplies and overhead expenses normally provided by your institution, and most requests for permanent equipment (e.g., binoculars, scopes, and camping equipment) unless these are to become property of the applicant's institution or the AOU. Also, for those applying via a university, indirect costs will not be provided.
a) List budget items: For each item, indicate clearly whether you are requesting it from the AOU or another source. The budget list should be arranged according to actual or potential funding sources. You may need to indicate "Pending" for some items.
b) Statement of justification and need: In some cases, it may be necessary to explain briefly why you need certain items. Include a brief statement summarizing how the project may have to be modified if AOU funding is not granted.
c) Multiple Applications to Granting Agencies: Applicants are encouraged to apply to other agencies besides the AOU for funding the same research project and even for the same items. Applicants must not, however, accept more than one award or grant for the same budget item.
4. Curriculum Vitae
Include information about your educational and research background, employment history, papers and posters presented at meetings, and publications. Restrict your CV to two pages or less. Do not send reprints or thesis proposals.