Bo Koster Grant For Nature Study:
Applications are being accepted for the Bo Koster Grant for Nature Study, an annual award to support fieldwork of a college student in natural history. The Bo Koster grant honors long time WGNSS member Bo Koster, an avid birder and researcher in diabetes.
The scholarship is eligible to graduate or undergraduate students at accredited college or universities in Missouri and Illinois. Students planning field work in such areas as ornithology, systematics of plants or animals, entomology, forestry, ecology, behavior, population genetics, conservation, biogeography, or those desiring to attend a field course work in such areas are invited to apply.
The amount to be awarded will be up to $3,000 for one year.
Download 2021 application information and requirements:

2021_bo_koster_nature_study_scholarship.pdf | |
File Size: | 100 kb |
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Applications to the education committee must include the following:
1. Abstract not exceeding 250 words; summarizing proposed work, how scholarship funds will be used and brief biography.
2. Summary description (5 page maximum) of your work in terms understandable to non-technical reviewers. Summary should include; project goals, methodology, and how results will benefit nature study. Field course applications should identify course/institution and how the course will complement home campus classes.
3. Budget of expected costs. Expenses above award limit are responsibility of awardee.
4. Curriculum vitae of academic career; education and degrees, institutions and dates, summary of related courses, grades, conservation activities, etc. Transcripts are not required.
5. Two letters of recommendation from current or former faculty. One must be from your advisor and specify; (a) you are a bona fide student currently registered for a B.A., B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree, (b) your expenses are not already covered by existing funds, and (c) the award would enhance your work.
Please send as an electronic submission (<10 MB) to Scott George at sgeorge3806@gmail.com.
Reference: Bo Koster Grant for Nature Study.
Scholarship Schedule:
February 15, 2021: Application deadline. Word or PDF format preferred. Costs may be in Excel.
April 12, 2021: Award notifications due to students.
May 2021: Recipient presentation at WGNSS general meeting.
June 2021: Funds awarded to recipient’s institution. Award period is one year.
June 2022: Recipient’s summary report due to WGNSS.
The winner will be invited to the annual WGNSS dinner meeting in May 2020, to give a short presentation on the project. Within one year of receiving the funds, the winner is required to submit a brief written report to WGNSS and acknowledge the grant in any resulting published material.
The award will be made to the applicant’s institution, which is expected to establish and monitor a fund as appropriate to curate the stipend. The funds may carry over beyond the year of award, if to the benefit of awardee’s research. The funds cannot be used to pay overhead to any institution. Automobile travel is reimbursed at institution’s rate. Expenses for air travel are based on tourist class. Personal expenses should not to be included. Scientific supplies and equipment should be itemized. Field course expenses should include tuition, room/board, and travel.
1. Abstract not exceeding 250 words; summarizing proposed work, how scholarship funds will be used and brief biography.
2. Summary description (5 page maximum) of your work in terms understandable to non-technical reviewers. Summary should include; project goals, methodology, and how results will benefit nature study. Field course applications should identify course/institution and how the course will complement home campus classes.
3. Budget of expected costs. Expenses above award limit are responsibility of awardee.
4. Curriculum vitae of academic career; education and degrees, institutions and dates, summary of related courses, grades, conservation activities, etc. Transcripts are not required.
5. Two letters of recommendation from current or former faculty. One must be from your advisor and specify; (a) you are a bona fide student currently registered for a B.A., B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree, (b) your expenses are not already covered by existing funds, and (c) the award would enhance your work.
Please send as an electronic submission (<10 MB) to Scott George at sgeorge3806@gmail.com.
Reference: Bo Koster Grant for Nature Study.
Scholarship Schedule:
February 15, 2021: Application deadline. Word or PDF format preferred. Costs may be in Excel.
April 12, 2021: Award notifications due to students.
May 2021: Recipient presentation at WGNSS general meeting.
June 2021: Funds awarded to recipient’s institution. Award period is one year.
June 2022: Recipient’s summary report due to WGNSS.
The winner will be invited to the annual WGNSS dinner meeting in May 2020, to give a short presentation on the project. Within one year of receiving the funds, the winner is required to submit a brief written report to WGNSS and acknowledge the grant in any resulting published material.
The award will be made to the applicant’s institution, which is expected to establish and monitor a fund as appropriate to curate the stipend. The funds may carry over beyond the year of award, if to the benefit of awardee’s research. The funds cannot be used to pay overhead to any institution. Automobile travel is reimbursed at institution’s rate. Expenses for air travel are based on tourist class. Personal expenses should not to be included. Scientific supplies and equipment should be itemized. Field course expenses should include tuition, room/board, and travel.