Call for proposal for ForestGEO Research Grants Program 2020.

The Research Grants Program of the Smithsonian Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO) funds research projects associated with the ForestGEO network of Forest Dynamics Sites. Moreover, the program aims to provide opportunities for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers (researchers who have completed their Ph.D. within the last seven years) to use existing Forest Dynamics Sites and conduct research in collaboration with scientists currently associated with these sites.

Funding

Research projects up to $15,000 USD will be available. However, the funding is restricted to expenses directly related to field research, laboratory research, and data analysis. Basically, examples of eligible expenses include travel, living expenses during fieldwork, supplies, research assistance, and publication fees.

Eligibilities 

Students, postdocs, and early career researchers (researchers who have completed their Ph.D. within the last seven years) who are working directly in a ForestGEO Forest Dynamics Site, analyzing site data, or generating complementary data that strengthens ForestGEO programs are eligible to apply.

Both social scientists and natural scientists are encouraged to apply. In rare cases, highly advanced undergraduate students will be considered. Applicants of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. In addition to that, priority will be given to researchers with less access to other institutional funds, projects that include multiple sites, and projects that include a strong educational/capacity-building component.

Application Materials 

• A list of project collaborators. For students and postdoctoral researchers, this includes an advisor. Moreover, host-country (country where forest site is located) collaborators are strongly recommended.
• Similarly, a proof that the applicant has contacted site Principal Investigators BEFORE submitting a proposal (through the inclusion of email correspondence).
• A Curriculum Vitae (limit 2 pages), including the applicant’s contact information, educational background, current, and previous fellowships and grants, and research interests.
• A detailed budget. Moreover, the budget should include all costs related to carrying out the proposed research. See the above Budget Information for expenses that can be included in the proposal. Include a budget justification for any unclear expenses.
• A project timeline. Basically, a timeline with the schedule for proposed research activities should be included. Please note accepted applicants will receive award funding, not before Fall 2020.

Application 

An online applicant information document through Google Forms. In addition to that, candidates must also submit a research proposal (1000-word limit, research proposals that exceed 1000 words will be disqualified prior to review). In particular, the research proposal should include

• Title
• Introduction
• Description of the proposed research that includes the relevance to one or more of the Forest Dynamics Sites
• Research objectives, including clearly stated hypotheses and expected significance as well as a research plan, including detailed methods
• Anticipated outcomes
• The broader significance of the research to the discipline
• How the proposal builds scientific capacity through education
• References (not included in the word limit)

Click here to submit.