A graduate student research grant on the biology, ecology, and management of starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) is being offered by the Aquatic Plant Management Society’s research and education initiative, in cooperation with the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation, Midwest APMS and the Northeast APMS.  The RFP is also sponsored by Applied Biochemists, SePRO, and UPI.

Objective:  To provide a grant to support a graduate student to conduct research on the biology, ecology, and/or management (used alone or integrated with other management approaches) of starry stonewort in the Midwestern or northeastern United States.  While field work should focus on one or both of those two regions, postgraduate degree offering institutions from anywhere in the United States may apply to this RFP.

Applicants:  Solicitation for proposals is open to any full-time faculty member of an accredited U.S. academic institution. A faculty sponsor must submit this proposal through the grants office of the University with which they are affiliated.  While the intention is to support a graduate student in part, a student need not be identified by name.

Amount:  $60,000 (it is the policy of APMS not to pay overhead or indirect costs).

Duration:  Two (2) years ($30,000 per year).

Proposal Deadline:  Applications must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2017.  The grant awardee will be announced at the 2017 Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Meeting.

Guidelines for Proposals:  Proposals should contain a concise statement of the project, including its purpose and justification, as well as sections that discuss study objectives, methodology, schedule, budget, and planned publication of results. The resumé of the faculty applicant and graduate student (if known) should not exceed two (2) pages each. Proposals should not exceed ten (10) pages, and must be signed by the applicant (principal investigator) and an appropriate university official. Include copies of up to five (5) of your most recent peer reviewed publications. Please submit a pdf file of your full application via email to Dr. John Madsen at jmadsen@ucdavis.edu.  The grant proposal will be judged based on the quality of the scientific approach, applicability to management of starry stonewort, feasibility, and potential of applicants to continue in aquatic plant management activities or involvement in the future of the society.  

Award:  The award will be announced at the 2017 Aquatic Plant management Society Annual Meeting in July 2017.  Notification of award will be provided to the faculty member in time to make arrangements to attend the APMS 57th Annual Meeting (July 16-19, 2017 – Daytona Beach, Florida). Payments will be made before January 31st of 2018 and 2019.  

Requirements:  Semi-annual progress reports must be submitted to APMS prior to June 30th and December 31st for each year of the grant. The faculty member and student must participate in at least one APMS regional chapter meeting and attend the APMS Annual Meeting. The student must present results of the funded research at least one time over the duration of the grant, although it is preferred that presentations are made annually. Upon completion, a final report must be submitted to APMS.

Inquiries: Dr. John Madsen USDA - ARS, EIWRU, University of California-Davis, Mail Stop 4 - One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA95616, Phone: 530-752-7870, Email: jmadsen@ucdavis.edu.