Research funding opportunities at Itasca

Itasca Seed-to-Root Grants

Short-term 'seed' grants are a good way to spark science. They facilitate preliminary, higher risk efforts focused in up-and-coming creative spaces (e.g., techniques, emerging theory). Field stations, however, focus on places with particular qualities amenable to sustaining longer-term research. Itasca Station has hosted place-based field biology since 1909, and is uniquely suited for teaching and engagement. With this in mind, Seed-to-Root grants target new investments at IBSL, combining funding, support, and flexibility to encourage science to take root. 

Applications are now closed for 2023. Check back again in early 2024.

Eligibility criteria for all awards: 

  • Only single-investigator (one student per award, only), single-project proposals allowed.
  • Research must be done in or near Itasca State Park.  
  • Award period is April of the award year, through March of the following year. 
  • Students must be in residence at Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories for at least a portion of their research. 
  • Applications must be from full-time students.
  • Budgets can include funding for research expenses and living expenses, in addition to supplies and services. Budgets cannot include wages or salary.
  • An expectation is that Fellows will share at least one research talk at the Station.
  • All awardees must submit a summary of their work at the conclusion of their research project.

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Jim Winter Itasca Scholarship (Undergrad student preference)

This award was given by Jim Winter, a former Itasca instructor. This award is open to UMN and non-UMN students. Preference is for undergraduate student proposals, but graduate student proposals will be considered. Preference will be for students pursuing efforts that could not otherwise be covered by funds available in the laboratories of their advisors.

Itasca Grad Research Fellowship (Grad Students)

Robert Megard, a professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior from 1962 until his retirement in 2006, taught field biology research at Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories. Roberta Megard, a former member of the St. Paul City Council, often accompanied him. Their fellowship supports graduate students who conduct research at Itasca. This fellowship is generously supported by the Meegard and Maschwitz families. It has historically been awarded to support research with an aquatic component.

John Tester Fellowship (Grad Students)

This fellowship us named in honor of John Tester, a professor in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB) who was a leader at Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories and in the Itasca region. He taught and conducted research at the station from 1957 until 2017.