The Department of Zoology has several funds that are used to support graduate student research. Proposals are evaluated annually, with a deadline of 1 April. Funds can be requested for research expenditures, travel expenses for research, and stipend support. Funds to support travel to meetings are available as John Jefferson Davis Travel Awards, which are applied for separately. The typical grants for research expenses and travel do not exceed $1,500, although requests should be made for the funds needed regardless of the amount. Stipend support can be requested separately or in conjunction with funds for research expenses and travel. Given the limited funds available, the Awards Committee tries to use funds to foster independent graduate research. The most successful proposals have both strong scientific merit and compelling justification for how funds will impact the graduate student’s research.

The funds that support graduate student research grants are:

John Jefferson Davis Fund - The Davis fund supports graduate research by providing money for travel to meetings and seminars. (Note that JJD Travel Funds for meetings have a separate application.)

John T. Emlen Fund - This fund commemorates John Emlen, a widely respected and valued member of the Department. The Emlen Fund supports graduate research in the behavioral sciences.

Dr. and Mrs. Carl A. Bunde Fund - Dr. Carl A. Bunde was a distinguished alumnus of the Department of Zoology who received his Ph. D. in 1937 and then pursued a career in medical research. The Bunde Fund provides research stipends with preference given to graduate students in their first two years of study at UW-Madison.

N. Netzer and B. Netzer Brouchoud Fund - N. Netzer and B. Netzer Brouchoud were interested in birds, and this fund specifically supports research on wild bird populations.

Karl E. Entemann Fund - The Entemann Fund supports research in the fields of genetics & health, genetics & economics, or health & economics, and is only awarded by the Department of Zoology in even academic years (e.g., 2000-2001).

Application Details

1. Grants will be made for research expenses and/or research stipends. Only one application should be made per student, and the application should clearly separate and justify requests for research expenses and research stipends. The Awards Committee may decide to grant either research expenses or research stipends. A detailed budget justification of research expenses should be included; for research stipends, only the type, duration, and dates of requested support should be included (not benefits, tuition, etc.).

2. Awards for research expenses will typically be for $750-$1,500, with the number and size of awards depending on the available funds each year. Funds can be used for expenses such as equipment, supplies, and travel related to research. Funds for hourly employees may be granted, but preference will generally be given to undergraduates applying independently for Undergraduate Research Grants.

3. Research Stipends can be provided on a semester basis for fall, spring, or summer support. Clear justification for stipend support is required.

4. Candidates must either be graduate students in the Department of Zoology or have a faculty Advisor with at least a 50%-time appointment in Zoology.

5. The deadline for application is the 1st of April. Applications should be submitted to the Awards Secretary in the Department of Zoology office, 145 Noland Hall.

6. By making one application for a graduate research grant, you will be considered for all appropriate funding sources listed above.

7. Applications must include:

   • a coversheet with the heading "Application for Graduate Research Grants" listing (in this order):

     • applicant's name
     • student ID number
     • social security number
     • faculty Advisor
     • email address
     • campus telephone number
     • campus address
     • address where funds should be sent if awarded
     • degree program (Master's or Ph.D.)
     • if Ph.D. candidate, current status (pre-qualifying exam, pre-prelim exam, pre-dissertation defense),
     • number of semesters in graduate school at UW-Madison (including semesters spent outside Zoology)
     • dates between which the research will be performed
     • total funds requested for research expenses
     • dates and level of support requested for research stipends
     • all previous Graduate Research Grant awards with dates included

   • a research proposal limited to 5 pages of double-spaced text excluding references and figures.  If funds have been received in the past, the research proposal must have a separate section addressing how these funds were used.

   • an itemized budget for all research expenses (equipment, supplies and travel). If applicable, also include the requested amount of a research stipend, but do not include benefits, tuition remission, etc.

   • a list of current and pending support, including RA, TA, and funds for research expenses. The candidate is responsible for informing the Awards Secretary if pending proposals are funded.

   • a CV listing educational background, publications, presentations at meetings, etc.

   • a letter of support from the student's faculty Advisor commenting on the student's abilities, the scientific merit of the proposal, and other circumstances of which the Awards Committee should be made aware. The letter must have a separate section on the proposed budget, specifically addressing the availability of other funds for the student. Letters of support must be placed in a sealed envelope signed by the recommender across the seal.

8. All applicants will be evaluated together on merit, and assignment of different funds will be determined following evaluation. Applications will be judge by the Awards Committee on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposed research, the potential of the student to complete the proposed research successfully, and the need of the student. Applicants will not be penalized for proposing to work in well-funded research labs.

(updated 4/17/06)

Return to top