The Garden Club of America (GCA) has opened their 2020 grant cycle for their Board of Associates Centennial Pollinator Fellowships.

According to the recent news release, the fellowships provide “funding to a current graduate student to study the causes of pollinator decline, in particular bees, bats, butterflies and moths, which could lead to potential solutions for their conservation and sustainability. The selection criteria are based on the technical merit of the proposed work and the degree to which the work is relevant to this objective. The GCA Board of Associates Centennial Pollinator Fellowship was established in spring 2013 to facilitate independent research in this field.”
To apply, go to Pollinator Partnership.
Deadline is January 17, 2020.
Provisions
The fellowships annually fund “one or more graduate students enrolled in U.S. institutions. Funding may vary in amount, but normally will be in the range of $4,000 for study and research that will advance the knowledge of pollinator science and increase the number of scientists in the field. A recipient may reapply for an additional year of funding.”
“Research Categories
The categories under which applicants may apply are:
- Effects of nutrition, genetics, pesticides, pathogens, parasites and disease on pollinators
- Pollinator habitat development, assessment or monitoring
- Plant-pollinator interactions and pollination biology
- Research that examines other aspects of pollinator health, including cutting-edge, original concepts
Terms
- Only one GCA scholarship may be applied for annually.
- GCA fellow will provide an interim 250-word report, two high quality photos, and an expense summary to GCA and P2 by September 1, 2020.
- A final report and final expense summary will be due February 1, 2021.
- Research excerpts (text and photos) may be published in GCA’s and P2’s publications and websites.
- GCA fellow agrees to share research with members of the Garden Club of America.”
To apply, go to Pollinator Partnership. Deadline is January 17, 2020.
I noticed disappearance of habitat is not mentioned. I live in an urban area that has lost significant habitat to development. I see groundhogs burrowing under houses, for instance, not to mention water snakes in a koi pond. Humane removal is happening as well.
You do not mention new techniques to repel birds. Some people want no bird droppings at all. But, their next door neighbor may want birds.
Typically grant programs focus on specifics rather than a broader range as you suggest, Cindy. It is difficult to make good decisions on which grant proposals are the most appropriate, if they are too broad in focus.