Bo Koster Grant for Nature Study:
The Webster Groves Nature Study Society is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for the Bo Koster Grant for Nature Study, an annual award to support the fieldwork of a college student in natural history. This 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 colleges or universities in Missouri and Illinois. Students planning fieldwork in such areas as ornithology, systematics of plants or animals, entomology, forestry, ecology, behavior, population genetics, conservation, and biogeography, or those desiring to attend field coursework in such areas are invited to apply.
The amount to be awarded will be up to $3,000 for one year.
Download 2023 application information and requirements:
| bo_koster_grant_for nature_study.pdf |
Applications to the education committee must include the following:
Abstract not exceeding 250 words; summarizing proposed work, how scholarship funds will be used and brief biography.
Summary description (5 page maximum) of your work in terms understandable to non-technical reviewers. The 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.
Budget of expected costs. Expenses above award limit are responsibility of awardee.
Curriculum vitae of academic career; education and degrees, institutions and dates, summary of related courses, grades, conservation activities, etc. Transcripts are not required.
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 Brian Waldrop at brian.waldrop@mdc.gov Reference: Bo Koster Grant for Nature Study.
Scholarship Schedule:
The winner will be invited to the annual WGNSS dinner meeting in May 2023, to give a short presentation on the project. Within two years of receiving the funds, the winner is asked to submit a summary article for the WGNSS Nature Note journal 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 be included. Scientific supplies and equipment should be itemized. Field course expenses should include tuition, room/board, and travel.
Abstract not exceeding 250 words; summarizing proposed work, how scholarship funds will be used and brief biography.
Summary description (5 page maximum) of your work in terms understandable to non-technical reviewers. The 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.
Budget of expected costs. Expenses above award limit are responsibility of awardee.
Curriculum vitae of academic career; education and degrees, institutions and dates, summary of related courses, grades, conservation activities, etc. Transcripts are not required.
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 Brian Waldrop at brian.waldrop@mdc.gov Reference: Bo Koster Grant for Nature Study.
Scholarship Schedule:
- February 20th, 2023: Application deadline. Word or PDF format preferred. Costs may be in Excel.
- April 17th, 2023: Award notifications due to students.
- May 2023: The recipient presents a short research project overview at the WGNSS general meeting.
- June 2023: Funds awarded to recipient’s institution. The award period is one year.
- 2023 to 2024: The recipient’s article will be published in the WGNSS Nature Note journal and present detailed findings at the WGNSS general meeting.
The winner will be invited to the annual WGNSS dinner meeting in May 2023, to give a short presentation on the project. Within two years of receiving the funds, the winner is asked to submit a summary article for the WGNSS Nature Note journal 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 be included. Scientific supplies and equipment should be itemized. Field course expenses should include tuition, room/board, and travel.