The Natural Resource Conservation Endowment Fund was established by Jane P. Conrad and entrusted to Washington State University in 1982 to provide seed money for supporting research and projects related to, but not limited to, energy, small-scale agricultural concepts, community education, wildlife conservation and/or recovery, related psychological and sociological studies, domestic and international studies, and other projects related to conservation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources, including biotic and abiotic ecological components. The proposed work should be oriented toward practical application of theory rather than strictly theory-oriented research to provide public uses or participants with a maximum opportunity to benefit.
ELIGIBILITY
Applications will be accepted from currently enrolled WSU graduate students in good standing with the Graduate School. An individual or a graduate student group may apply. Interdisciplinary and collaborative proposals in such areas as education, psychology, sociology, environmental engineering, sciences, agriculture and veterinary sciences are encouraged.
TERMS OF SUPPORT
There could be up to two awards given for $1,200 each per year. The grant is subject to renewal up to a maximum of three years and may be requested by submitting a new proposal with a progress report each year. Equipment purchased with the fund money will become property of the WSU Foundation at the termination of the award and will be subject to sale with all proceeds going back into the endowment fund. Funds cannot be used to for general education costs (tuition, school related fees, textbooks, computers, laptops, or software); non-essential data collection; or refreshments.
APPLICATION
Applications that are too long or incomplete will be returned without review. Use only 12-point font
size
1. Face Page
a. Applicant’s name
b. Department
c. Address [department zip or home]
d. Degree program
e. Telephone number and e-mail address
f. Project title
g. Abstract [lay language] [no more than 300 words]
h. Proposed project timeline
i. Faculty Advisor’s name [tel. number and e-mail address]
2. Project Description (3 pages, single-spaced, 1-inch margins)
a. Introduction—Background; Problem Statement; Rationale
b. Specific Aims/Measurable Objectives
c. Methods—Include intended sample size and power analysis and/or justification from the literature used to determine the sample size
d. Evaluation and/or Assessment of your measurable objectives/specific aims
e. Relevance to discipline and/or practical application to the audience/population that will benefit from the study
f. Summary
3. Detailed Budget that accurately reflects how the $1,200 will be spent and a strong budget justification (1 page)
4. Current & Pending Support for the proposed work—List source(s) of support and amount received and/or requested (1 page)
5. Biographical Sketch (1 page)
6. Letter of Sponsorship from faculty advisor (1 page)
7. eRex routing process completed and approved (www.ogrd.wsu.edu/forms)
Proposals should be carefully developed and written to encourage positive consideration of the fund’s purpose. Write for a general audience. Introduce any discipline-specific terms and/or acronyms used in the proposal. Letter of Sponsorship should address if applicant is qualified to do the proposed work, the scientific validity of the proposed project, and should state that the faculty advisor has reviewed and will support the applicant if the project is funded.
SUBMISSION AND DEADLINE
Submit electronic copy (via eREX) to:
Sammy Rodriguez or Kellie Klein
Research and Arts Committee
Office of Research Operations and Support
Proposal Submission Deadline: 5 PM on Monday, April 14, 2016
