Mountain Research Mini-Grant Program - San Juan Mountains, Colorado, USA
2006 Application Instructions
www.mountainstudies.org/research/opportunities.asp
Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is a non-profit mountain research and
education institution and high-altitude field station with headquarters in
Silverton, Colorado and offices at Fort Lewis College in nearby Durango.
The MSI mission is to enhance understanding and sustainable use of the San
Juan Mountains and its communities through research and education. Please
see www.mountainstudies.org for more information.
MSI is offering mini-grants for students and postdoctoral associates to
conduct studies in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, USA.
Research may be in the physical, biological, or social sciences or be
interdisciplinary. Each applicant must have an advisor who agrees to
provide guidance on the project.
Other Requirements:
Applicant must be a student at an accredited college or university or
have graduated from such an institution within the past two years (recent
undergraduate or masters students) or five years (postdoctoral
associates).
Research must have a major component focused on the San Juan Mountains
of southwestern Colorado, USA, and include field work in the San Juan
Mountains.
Research must be related to at least one of the five mountain studies
themes that compose MSIs San Juan Mountain Futures research program:
1)Communities in Transition: Issues affecting mountain communities in
transition from resource extraction to tourism and recreation- based
economies and cultures (land use change; community planning; ecological,
economic, social, and/or cultural conflicts and challenges).
2)Climate Variability and Change: Studies of past, present, and future
climate; effects of climate change on environment and/or society.
3)Air Quality: Studies of air quality and effect of pollutants on
ecosystems and human health.
4)Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Studies of ecological communities,
spatial and temporal patterns of biodiversity, environmental controls on
biodiversity, links between biodiversity and ecosystem services, value of
biodiversity to society.
5)Water for Ecosystems and People: Controls on water quantity and
quality, effects of drought on ecosystems and people, other ecological or
societal issues associated with water quantity and quality.
Funding: Up to $2,500 per proposal with a minimum total available of at
least $5,000; and maximum possible total available of $10,000. $10,000
was awarded in 2005. Time span of projects: One-year.
Successful applicants are required to submit a project report and give an
oral or poster presentation by the end of the one-year award period.
Selection will be based on the intellectual merit of the proposed study,
the applicants ability to complete the project, and the projects
alignment with MSIs research themes. Postdoctoral applications also will
be judged on the potential for results to lead to a more extensive
research effort in the San Juan Mountains. Proposals that leverage funds
from other grants, scholarships, or departmental contributions are
preferred but not required. Excellent proposals from applicants with no
other support certainly will be considered.
To apply:
Submit a proposal (see below), curriculum vitae, and 2 letters of
recommendation (including one from the proposed advisor that states he or
she supports the project and will serve as advisor to the applicant). In
addition, undergraduates need to submit undergraduate transcripts and
graduate students and postdocs are required to submit graduate
transcripts. Unofficial copies are acceptable, but official copies may be
required if the applicant is selected.
The proposal should include the following parts, but not exceed 5 pages
(at least font 11 with one-inch margins).
Proposals longer than 5 pages will not be considered.
1. Title page (see form on website-
www.mountainstudies.org/research/opportunities.asp.)
2. Introduction (Description of problem or question, objective of project,
and background information from the literature).
3. Methods
4. Literature Cited
5. Schedule of work
6. Budget
MSI encourages the use of our Avon Hotel field station in Silverton, which
offers dorm-style lodging, common space, a community kitchen, wireless
internet, and a classroom. However, applicants need to budget $300 per
month or $15 per day from the funds requested for Avon lodging. Summer
field lab facilities are available at $25/week for basic use.
Example budget categories:
Applicant stipend, lodging, travel, equipment, supplies, sample analyses,
and matching funding or in-kind services.
Categories that will not be funded: indirect costs or overhead expenses,
faculty salary, travel to professional meetings, publication costs.
Submit application to MSIs Director of Research and Education:
For application: www.mountainstudies.org/research/opportunities.asp.
Hardcopies: Send three (3) copies of cover page and proposal, one (1)
copy of transcript(s), and one (1) copy of curriculum vitae (CV).
Electronic copies: Email cover page, proposal, and CV (as doc or pdf
attachments).
Letters of recommendation: May either be sent in unopened, signed
envelopes OR emailed directly from the person writing the letter.
DEADLINE: All material sent by mail must be postmarked on or before March
10, 2006. All emails must be sent by 5 pm MST on March 10, 2006.
Send hard copy of all materials to:
Dr. Koren Nydick
Mountain Studies Institute
Department of Geosciences
Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive
Durango, CO 81301
Email cover page and proposal to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Questions? Call 970-247-7071 or email above.
