Research Grants

Undergraduate Awards Research Grants:

The Department of Environmental Sciences (ENVS) encourages students to engage in independent research and is committed to supporting the independent research goals of our undergraduates. Research grants are generally awarded to third- and fourth-year students for independent research and scholarly projects. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review their research proposals with Dr. John Wegner prior to submission of project proposals.

Students are encouraged to explore funding opportunities within the Emory community and beyond. The following opportunities are available in ENVS and Emory College.

1. Lester Research Grants: The Department of Environmental Sciences considers grant applications from students with declared majors in Environmental Sciences for fall, spring and summer research. Awards will be considered up to $3000.

*Application deadlines are as follows:

• Fall Funding/Summer Funding: March 25
• Spring Funding: October 23

*we understand that opportunities may present themselves outside of the stated deadlines; therefore, we will consider grant requests on a rolling basis with permission from the Scholarships & Grants Committee Chair

Lester Grant Applications must include the following:

1. Research proposal
2. Statement of significance of proposed research
3. Methods
4. Statement of expected research outcomes; e.g. honors thesis, journal article, research poster, etc.
5. Detailed budget proposal
6. What other sources of funding are you applying for or have received
7. Letter of support from ENVS faculty mentor

When completing the application, students are encouraged to carefully prepare their research proposals and follow the timeline indicated below:

•  Minimum of six weeks before deadline: Discuss research project with supervisor and agree on a research question/hypothesis.  Meet briefly with John Wegner for discussion of overview of the application process.
• Three weeks before deadline: Submit first draft proposal to supervisor.
• Two weeks before deadline: Submit second, and hopefully, final draft to supervisor.
• One week before deadline: Submit final proposal to John Wegner for review.

Examples of proposals that have been successfully funded are available through the following links:

• Example of proposal for international field research
• Example of approved proposal for research within the continental United States

When preparing the proposed budget for the project, please refer to the detailed information provided by Emory College Undergraduate Research Programs. Within their Application Instructions, you will find detailed information about preparing a budget and a budget spreadsheet.

Funds awarded through Environmental Sciences are to be used within the time-frame designated in the award letter, usually the final day of the semester in which funding is granted.

2. Turner Grants: The Department of Environmental Sciences considers grant applications for study specifically in the State of Georgia through its Turner Grant fund. Students with declared majors in Environmental Sciences may apply for research funds for fall, spring and summer research. Awards will be considered up to $1500.

*Application deadlines are as follows:

• Fall Funding /Summer Funding: March 25
• Spring Funding  (including travel over winter break): October 23

Turner Grant Applications must include the following:

1. Research proposal for research in Georgia
2. Statement of significance of proposed research
3. Methods
4. Statement of expected research outcomes; e.g. honors thesis, journal article, research poster, etc.
5. Detailed budget proposal
6. What other sources of funding are you applying for or have received
7. Letter of support from ENVS faculty mentor

•  Example of approved proposal for research in Georgia

Funds awarded through Environmental Sciences are to be used within the time-frame designated in the award letter, usually the final day of the semester in which funding is granted.

Emory College Summer Research Awards (stipend): Summer research support that provides accommodation on Emory's campus and living stipend for summer research. Can be used in conjunction with Independent Research -Lester Awards. Consult Summer Programs web site for further information.