General Information and Requirements

The deadline for applications and recommendations is Feb. 15, 2020 midnight EST.

NEW APPLICATION PROCESS IN 2020:

https://forms.gle/t1RmbMfkZSf7MogT7

Complete instructions can be found on the Wilson Ornithological Society webpagehttps://wilsonsociety.org/awards/research-grants/

Membership in the Wilson Ornithological Society is required

Each year, the Wilson Ornithological Society offers four types of research grants for a total of up to 11 awards. The focus of each of the four types of grants differs somewhat, as does the amount of the award. Membership in the Wilson Ornithological Society is required.  Willingness to report results of the research as an oral or poster paper at an annual meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society within the next five years and a brief write-up and a photograph of the awardees for the webpage are conditions of the three listed below. Click here for more information.

Louis Agassiz Fuertes Grant
The Wilson Ornithological Society’s most prestigious award is available to all ornithologists, although graduate students and young professionals are given preference. Up to two grants of $2,500 are awarded given annually.

George A. Hall / Harold F. Mayfield Grant
This grant, formerly known as the Margaret Morse Nice Award, is limited to independent researchers without access to funds and facilities available at colleges, universities, or governmental agencies; it is restricted to non-professionals, including high school students. Any kind of avian research is eligible. One $1,000 award may be given each year.

Wilson Ornithological Society Research Grant
Up to four grants of $1500 are given annually, for work in any area of ornithology. Two of these will be limited to research by Masters students.

Paul A. Stewart Grant
These grants are available to all avian researchers and will be awarded with preference given to proposals for studies of bird movements based on banding, radio or satellite telemetry (or similar methods), or with an emphasis on economic ornithology. Up to eight awards of $1,000 (as of 2012) are given annually.

General Eligibility Rules and Requirements

  • An applicant may be a citizen of any country.
  • Membership in the Wilson Ornithological Society is required. Click here for more information about membership.
  • Applicants may be of any age.
  • Generally, any avian research is eligible (see Stewart and Hall Award restrictions above), conducted anywhere in the world.
  • Award monies are expected to be used for equipment, supplies, travel, and living expenses. Salaries for applicant and field assistants should not be included; however, stipends that cover only basic living expenses are allowed.
  • Individuals are limited to one grant per degree program or project.
  • Applicants may apply for more than one grant.

Grant winners will be announced at the banquet during the annual meeting of the Wilson Ornithological Society. Winners (if not present at the meeting) will be notified within two weeks of the annual meeting. A list of winners will also be posted on this website within two weeks of the annual meeting.