Grants
Grants and Scholarships
We have grant funding and discounted registration fees available for all Western Section workshops, conferences and trainings. We encourage you to apply for assistance if you need help to attend our events. We will do our best to accommodate as many people as we can. Questions? Please email projectmanager@tws-west.org
The Western Section of The Wildlife Society (TWS-WS) has historically supported conferences, symposia and studies through grants. Board members review all funding requests and make selections based on the following criteria:
- Applicant must be a member of TWS-WS;
- Consistency with TWS purposes and objectives as cited in the Western Section By-Laws;
- Timeliness and relevance: Local, regional, or national level;
- Proposals must demonstrate a clear need for funding and should define a time-line for project implementation, endorsement, and/or financial support of local TWS Chapter;
- Demonstration of shared costs; a detailed budget showing amount and use of TWS-WS grant is required;
- Quality and brevity of submitted request;
- Availability of funds and amount of funding requested;
- Ability of the applicant to successfully implement the proposed project; and
- Conference or symposium organizers receiving grant funding must submit a schedule of proposed sessions.
The Section will award grants up to a maximum of $2,000 (depending on availability of funds) for a single project or event. There is no grant award minimum. Matching funds and partnerships are not required. Any partners providing funds or in-kind services must be listed in the proposal with a letter of commitment from each.
Submitted requests should attempt to address the above-listed criteria. Grant recipients must submit a report to the Executive Board at the conclusion of the event or study. In addition, if the recipient conducted a study, they must present either preliminary or final findings from that study at the annual conference. This reporting requirement will be included in a letter from the Section which accompanies the actual disbursement of the grant.
The following information should be contained within the proposal:
A TITLE PAGE with the following information only: project title, applicant’s name, institutional affiliation, address, degree being sought or highest degree obtained, telephone number, fax number, email address, total budget, amount requested from TWS, and desired starting date.
The title page should also include a brief ABSTRACT of the proposed project, stating the purpose, methods, and significance of the project to conservation.
An INTRODUCTION explaining the rational for the project, specific goals and objectives, and hypotheses to be tested.
METHODS and PLAN OF ACTION describing data collection methods, sample size, detailed timetable, including the project’s completion date.
A project BUDGET is required.
Completed proposals can be e-mailed to tws-west@tws-west.org or sent to The Wildlife Society, Western Section Attn: Awards and Grants Chair, PO Box 6756, Albany, CA 94706.
Student Travel Grant
Purpose and Objectives
Each year The Wildlife Society-Western Section (TWS-WS) makes funds available to students to encourage participation in professional meetings, conferences, symposia and other continuing education activities. These funds can be used for partial reimbursement of transportation, lodging, registration and meal expenses. Travel grants of up to $600 will be awarded to a limited number of students.
Eligibility
An individual is eligible if he/she is:
- A current dues paid members of TWS-WS (dues can be submitted with the application);
- current student or recent graduate (degree received within past year), and
- If more grant requests are received than funds are available, preference will go to those who have not received a Travel Grant from TWS-WS in the past 12 months. Funds are often available so all are encouraged to apply who need assistance.
Funds will not be provided when employer or agency funds are available. Priority will be given to students presenting a paper or poster at TWS meetings (Parent, Western Section, Chapters).
Non-TWS and International Conferences/Symposia Travel grants to International and non-TWS conferences/symposia will only be reviewed by the Awards and Grants Committee if the requester is presenting a paper or poster at the subject conference. A travel grant may be granted contingent upon the papers acceptance by the program committee.
Amount and Conditions
In most cases, the amount of an award may only cover a portion of the total cost of attending an event and applicants should consider the award only as a supplement to other funding sources. Individual awards/reimbursement will not exceed $600.00 per applicant per event or per year.
Travel awards are to be used only for registration fees, meals, lodging, and or transportation expenses. Rates of reimbursement shall be as follows:
- Mileage (personal vehicle) may be claimed at the current federal mileage reimbursement rate (Currently $0. 67 cents per mile)
- Reimbursement may be claimed for the actual cost of a meal, not to exceed $12.00, $20.00 and $30.00 for breakfast, lunch and dinner, respectively.
- Reimbursement may be claimed for the actual cost of lodging, not to exceed $150.00 per night.
Review and Approval
Requests for funding must be submitted to the Awards and Grants Committee Chair. Proposals will be reviewed on a continual basis and support will depend on fund availability. The Awards and Grants Chair shall distribute copies to all Board members for review and consideration. Approval of requests will require a majority vote by the TWS-WS board. Priority will be given to attendees of TWS meetings (Parent, Western Section, Chapters).
Each applicant must submit a written request at least 60 days in advance of attending an event. The application must clearly state the amount of support requested and identify how costs will be incurred. A statement that alternative funding is not available from any other source must be included in the application. Applicants must submit receipts for reimbursement, a statement of the professional benefits derived from attending the event and a summary evaluation of information gathered.
To apply for a travel award, submit two copies of the following:
- Completed Application Form: Final_Application_TWS_travel_grant.pdf (PDF)
- Abstract of paper/poster (if presenting);
- Evidence of abstract acceptance (if required); and,
- Draft text of paper/poster (if presenting) (2-4 pages).
Failure to provide the above requested material will disqualify the applicant. Application and all requested materials can be e-mailed to tws-west@tws-west.org or sent to The Wildlife Society, Western Section Attn: Awards and Grants Chair, PO Box 6756, Albany, CA 94706.
Past Grants Awarded by TWS-WS
- Operation Migration – Non-profit organization that uses ultra light aircraft to return migrating Whooping cranes to eastern North America.
- Vernal Pool Ecology Workshop
- Scrapes in the Sand A Western Snowy Plover Documentary Film
- 6th California Oak Symposium Proceedings
- A single-sample, non-invasive hair-snaring device (guard hair noose) to be incorporated into existing track plate survey protocol for mesocarnivores
- Survivorship of Western Snowy Plover ( Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus ) Broods in Humboldt County, California
- Survivorship, Site Fidelity and Brood-Rearing Home Ranges of Western Snowy Plover ( Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus ) Broods in Humboldt County, California
- Humboldt State University Wildlife Conclave Team
- Sierra Nevada Science Symposium 2002
- Northern Goshawk ( Accipiter gentiles ) Nesting Habitat on the North Coastal Region of Northern California
- Characteristics of Storm Water Drainage Basins Used by Endangered San Joaquin Kit Foxes In an Urban Environment
- Using Behavioral Data to Model Landscape Connectivity Based on Badger Habitat Use