The Nature Conservancy Global Marine
Initiative
University of Rhode Island
Student Research Award Program Fall 2007
The Nature Conservancy
Global Marine Initiative at the University of Rhode Island announces a small
grants program to support scholarly research by graduate students in collaboration
with URI faculty sponsors in ocean and estuarine science and policy. We will
award up to two grants this cycle up to $12,000 per year per award. Applicants
may request two years of funding, however approval for a second year is contingent
upon progress and funding availability. Proposals should describe the development
of tangible products (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles, outreach materials
such as white papers, popular articles, symposia or conference proceedings)
that serve to advance the state of knowledge in one of the following topics
of particular importance to The Nature Conservancy. This year’s solicitation
will focus on the following topics as they relate to the impacts of and adaptations
to global climate change.
•
The influence of climate change on coastal and ocean processes and the anticipated
impacts to marine ecosystems and biodiversity
• Observed and potential adaptations of marine populations and ecosystems
to climate change
• Quantitative assessment and/or analysis of management and policy strategies
to achieve effective management and conservation of marine ecosystems (e.g.,
marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries management, measurement and
valuation of ecosystem services)
Research proposals
can cover any biogeographic extent, from local to global systems. We are especially
interested in proposals that will provide the TNC insights into effective
methods for advancing the conservation and restoration of marine and coastal
ecosystems in geographies where we work, including RI and southern New England.
For examples of conservation strategies that are currently employed by The
Nature Conservancy, please visit (www.nature.org/marine).
Application
Process: Awards are limited to graduate students with faculty mentors
at the University of Rhode Island. To be considered, please submit an application
containing all of the following information:
1.
Letter of application (1 page maximum) by the student performing the
research stating their interest in the project and qualifications to carry
it out.
2. Brief proposal describing the scope of work and explicit description
of the product(s) to be developed. Proposals must not exceed 4 pages, excluding
the budget tables and budget narrative (double spaced, 12 point font, 1-inch
margins).
3. Budget table and budget narrative outlining anticipated expenses
up to $12,000/year. Note: the budget should reflect direct costs only - indirect
costs are not supported by this program.
4. Letter of support and sponsorship by the student's major professor
or faculty sponsor describing their interest and contribution to the research.
The letter should indicate what additional resources are available to support
the student’s proposed research and should illustrate how the proposed research
aligns with the direction of the sponsor’s overall research program.
5. Short Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum) for the student and the
major professor.
Proposal
Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria: Proposals
will be reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives of the TNC Global
Marine Initiative, TNC Rhode Island Chapter, the URI Graduate School of Oceanography,
the URI College of the Environment and Life Sciences, and the URI Coastal Institute.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Professionalism (10%) - All materials are neat and presented in a professional
format, are properly referenced, and contain few or no spelling or grammatical
errors.
Scientific Rigor (30%) - The proposal raises questions that are scientifically
based, and can be addressed using the scientific method or valid approaches
for testing hypotheses and evaluating data. For synthesis-oriented proposals,
the proposal must contain questions that are relevant and timely, and indicate
the anticipated sources of information necessary to address the proposed
questions.
Conservation Impact (30%) - The proposal contains a clear and compelling
link to management or science that supports conservation planning or action
by TNC or other conservation organizations. The work addresses a current
or perceived need in the field of conservation.
Budget (20%) - The budget is sufficiently detailed to allow reviewers
to gauge its potential for supporting the proposed work. Requested funds
should be allocated as needed among the following categories: Personnel
(salary and fringe), Tuition and Fees, Travel, Supplies, Contractual Costs,
Other. Match is not required, but other support can be shown on the budget
if it helps to illustrate how these funds will enhance or fulfill a larger
funding need. Indirect costs are not allowed.
Relevance to other research underway at University of Rhode Island (10%)
- The proposal demonstrates a clear link to and/or advances an existing
line of research at the University.
Deadline:
Application should be emailed to marine@tnc.org by November 30, 2007