Kushlan Research Award in Ciconiiform Research and Conservation

The goal of the Kushlan Research Award in Ciconiiform Biology and Conservation is to encourage significant scientific advances in the biology, ecology, or conservation biology of wading birds (i.e. herons, storks, ibises, and their taxonomic allies). The grants committee currently solicits proposals that focus on:

1. Species relationships within the group
2. The status, range, and population sizes of little-known species of Ciconiiformes

These grants are open globally to any student, professional, or amateur. Financial and education status of applicants are not considerations. Selection is made by a committee based on the applicant’s likelihood of publishing timely and substantial contributions to the literature. Depending on the scientific merit of the competition, awards will be offered in most years – one or more awards from $1,000 to $7,000 will be made.

Application materials should include 5 pages: (a) a cover sheet (click here) and abstract summarizing the work with all contact information, (b) three pages of narrative to include Background and Rationale, with hypotheses or questions stated, Methods, Literature Cited, and whether it is part of any cooperative (e.g. matching funds) project, and (c) a budget page.

Proposals are due by July 15. The award or awards, if any, will be announced no later than 1 October, annually.

The recipients of awards are expected to publish their reports in peer-reviewed outlets and acknowledge both the Kushlan Award and the Waterbird Society for support. The recipients are also expected to submit a short (1-2 page) report to the Grants Committee summarizing the results of their research project.

Current (2006) Recipients of the Kushlan Research Award:

1. A. Urfi and R. Bleiweiss – Developmental measures of pollution impacts on Pond Herons in northern India.
2. V. Madsen – A comparative and experimental study of species differences in behavior and appearance of 5 species of frigatebirds.

Grant applications should be submitted to:

General Information For Applicants

Information on other ornithological grants