Grants, Scholarships and Other Financial Support

Botany 606: Graduate Research Skills

Note: The availability and program direction of the various funds changes from time to time.  Be sure to check the latest documentation before applying to any funding organization.

General Guidelines

• Read the rules as distributed by the organization.  Violating even the smallest rule will result in a rejection of your request.
• Edit your request carefully.  Have someone else go over it, too. 
• Make sure that your advisor is aware of your request.  Check early for advice and assistance.
• Be realistic in what you request.  Assume that the people who review requests are pretty smart.
• Don't be discouraged by a rejection.  Even outstanding requests are turned down for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the request.
• Apply early and often.  It takes time to get a request reviewed and an award made.  Don't put off submitting your request.

See: Grant Writing Proposals (discussion notes)

University Connections and Services

Office of Research Services.  This group handles all of the official business regarding the submittal of grant proposals and the receipt of award.  They have procedures, such as reviews and permissions, that must be followed.  When in doubt, check with them.

Research Corporation of the University of Hawai`i.  This group handles the administration of university funds for research.

Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development.  Patents and other potentially-profitable activities associated with university research go through this office.

Committee on Human Studies.  There are forms that need to be filled out if there is any use of people (or animals) in your research.  When in doubt, check with them.

Some Funding Opportunities

Campus-Originated Funds

• Botany Department
  • Beatrice Krauss Fellowship
  • Winona Char
  • Lamoureux
  • Abbott
• Zoology Department: Sidney Townsley Research Award
• EECB: Fellowships, Scholarships and Grants (also check their outside funding list)
• Graduate Student Organization: Travel Fund
• East-West Center: Degree Fellow Scholarship
• Bank of Hawaii: Scholarship for Educational Enhancement

Local Foundations, Agencies and Organizations

• Campbell Estate
• Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate (KSBE)
• Hawaii Community Foundation (a clearinghouse of many small foundations)
• The Nature Conservancy
• National Tropical Botanical Garden
• US Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry

Federal Government Programs

• National Science Foundation:
• National Institutes of Health
• Public Health Service
• Department of Energy
• Department of the Interior
• Department of Agriculture
• Office of Naval Research

Major Foundations

• MacArthur Foundation
• Ford Foundation
• Hewlett Foundation
• Packard Foundation

Loans and Other Financial Assistance

• Financial Aids Services