Our Programs

Our grant programs include Memorial Grants, Equipment Grants, and Student Grants.

 

MEMORIAL GRANTS

These grants directly promote conservation research. Grants are one-year, unrestricted funds that can be used for direct or indirect costs, including salary. Specific grants may be restricted to certain taxa or new research initiatives. Please note, you must carefully describe how this grant may impact grassland conservation efforts in your application.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Latin American researchers affiliated with a university, museum, or conservation organization. Preference is given to researchers who have participated in the Student Grant or Research Equipment programs and who have submitted final reports.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1st

REVIEW PROCESS: Applications are reviewed by outside reviewers and members of the board. Decisions are based on scientific merit, conservation impact, and how closely the proposal meets NGC’s mission. Final decisions are made at the annual board meeting.

Peter Rittenhouse Kellogg, Jr. Memorial Fund Grant

This award of up to $10,000 is given annually to exceptional projects, which will have a lasting impact on grassland conservation. Ritt Kellogg graduated from Colorado College in 1990. He loved wild places, both at sea and in the mountains. His mountaineering career included difficult rock-and-ice climbs in Colorado and desert rock climbs. He valued the preservation and protection of wilderness areas, and strived to be a positive friend to all. He found joy in helping others, often when they did not expect it. Ritt died tragically in an avalanche while he and two friends were topping out on the east face of Mt. Foraker in Alaska, June 18, 1992.

Halsey M. Marsden Memorial Research Grant

This award of $5,000 is given annually to an outstanding grassland conservation project. It is given in memory of Halsey Marsden, who was an avid naturalist and scientist with a great appreciation of wild places. He was a keen observer and dedicated researcher who understood the application of the scientific method. Missouri prairies were a large part of his research efforts.

Sue Wijdenes Memorial Research Grant

This award of $5,000 USD is given to scientists in the American tropics initiating new grassland conservation research. The grant is awarded in memory of Sue Wijdenes. Sue was an avid birder, traveler, and advocate of conservation.

Derald G. Langham Memorial Research Grant

This award provides a $2,000 USD grant to scientists in the American tropics featuring grassland plants. The grant is awarded in memory of Derald G. Langham. Derald received the first Ph.D. from Cornell University in plant genetics in 1937. He and his family spent the next 30 years in Venezuela as Derald established plant nurseries and headed the national plant genetics program. His passion for plants, charisma, and support of new ways of thinking of the world are memorialized in this award.

Research Equipment Program

The Research Equipment Program provides basic science equipment to scientists and students in the American tropics to assist their research opportunities and education. Many outstanding researchers need essentials such as microscopes, GPS units, mist nets, video cameras, binoculars, and science textbooks. Equipment is either donated or purchased and sent to Latin America at relatively little expense. The intent of the program is that donated equipment and literature be of general use to a variety of projects, students and researchers.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Latin American researchers affiliated with a university or conservation organization.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1st, August 1st, and December 1st

REVIEW PROCESS: Applications are reviewed by members of the REP committee and two outside reviewers. Award decisions are based on the merit of the associated projects, number of projects and students expected to be impacted by the equipment donation, and how closely projects meet NGC’s mission.

EQUIPMENT DELIVERY: The REP committee works closely with successful applicants to identify the most reliable and cost effective method for equipment delivery. To avoid unnecessary expenses, it is preferable that the delivery is made by an NGC representative, or shipped to a colleague visiting the US and subsequently delivered to the applicant.

AWARD REQUIREMENTS: At the end of each year we ask for an update on the study and equipment status. The equipment stays with the research group to encourage further studies and professional development.

Student Grant Program

The Student Grant Program (SGP) was designed in response to feedback from Venezuelan professors. Graduate student research projects are often hindered by lack of funds for basic needs such as transportation, lodging, meals and consumable field supplies.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Latin American students enrolled in a M.S. or Ph.D. program in a US or South American university.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1st, August 1st, and December 1st

REVIEW PROCESS: Applications are reviewed by members of the SGP committee and two outside reviewers. Award decisions are based on the student’s demonstrated commitment to conservation, feasibility and merit of the proposed project, and how closely the project meets NGC’s mission

AWARD DISBURSEMENT: Awards are distributed as a single allotment of $1,500 USD. We ask that awardees provide bank name, address and routing numbers.

AWARD REQUIREMENTS: Awardees are required to provide the NGC with a year-end report summarizing project results and describing how funds were used. Following submission of this report, students are eligible for additional funding.

Christopher Miller Outstanding Student Award

This award of $500 is given annually to an outstanding Student Grant winner. After completing funded projects, students submit a final report. NGC staff will choose several promising students based on final reports, and the NGC Board will select a winner at its annual board meeting.