Seed-to-Root research fellowship program | College of Biological Sciences

Panorama of Lake Itasca from the Missippippi headwaters monument

Itasca Station provides research funding opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students through its own "Seed-to-Root" program.

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.

Apply for research funding

All Seed-to Root applications require a letter of support from the applicant's relevant advisor. Advisors must submit their letter of support through the following portal the application deadline.

Submit letter of support

Deadline for both application and support letter is Monday, February 24, 2025.

Seed-to-Root eligibility criteria

Only single-investigator (one student per award), single-project proposals allowed.
Research must be done in or near Itasca State Park.
Award period is April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026.
Students must be in residence at Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories for a portion of their research.
Applications must be from full-time students. Historically, preference has been for University of Minnesota campus (system-wide) students, but non-University of Minnesota students will be considered.
Applicants must be working with a faculty advisor who is responsible for oversight of the project (a letter of support is required).
Budgets may include funding for research expenses and lodging/dining expenses, in addition to supplies and services. Salary is not allowed.
- Graduate students: $5,000 budget limit
- Undergraduate students: $1,500 budget limit
Awardees are expected to share at least one science and research public engagement talk/hike at the Station, and share one technical talk in the Biome Center or Assembly Hall as part of a summer seminar series. They will also be asked to attend a CBS Awards Recognition dinner in Fall.

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Research Awards

Our research awards are provided by a generous community of donors who value the scientific research and experiences that are available at Itasca Station. Individual awards distributed through the Seed-to-Root program are:

Itasca Graduate Research Fellowship
John Tester Itasca Research Fellowship
Jim Winter Itasca Scholarship

To contribute to a research fellowship fund, please see our Support Itasca page.

Itasca Station provides research funding opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students through its own "Seed-to-Root" program.

+ Research Awards

Research Awards