Nebraska Geological Society 2021 Yatkola-Edwards Student Research Grants
The Nebraska Geological Society (NGS) is seeking applicants for their 2021 Yatkola-Edwards student research grants. NGS will award at least two graduate-level and two undergraduate research grants. These stipends are a minimum of $500 with potential matching funds provided by AAPG. Additional details are provided in the announcement below. The deadline for applications is February 12, 2021.
New this year: Students can receive the award more than once during their academic careers if the proposal addresses a different research question.
NEBRASKA GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
YATKOLA-EDWARDS RESEARCH GRANTS 2021
Electronic versions of proposals must be received by February 12, 2021
A. Origin and Scope of the Research Grants
The Yatkola-Edwards Research Grants honor two University of Nebraska-Lincoln geology students, Dan Yatkola and Paul Edwards, who were killed in an auto accident on March 12, 1976. Both students were actively involved in research on Nebraska-related topics. The Nebraska Geological Society (NGS), wanting to encourage the investigation of the regional Earth sciences in the state, named its research grants program in their honor. Through the generosity of members and friends of the NGS, a total of 100 research grants totaling $33,450 have been awarded to students since 1977.
At least two graduate-level research grants and two undergraduate research grants are available for 2021. Funding amounts are a minimum of $500 for graduate-level proposals. NGS will apply for matching funds from AAPG. These grants must be used only for expenses incurred either during the conduct of qualifying research in Nebraska (see “Guidelines for Proposals” below) or during the publication of said research.
B. Guidelines for Research Grant Proposals
Proposals must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for a Yatkola-Edwards Research Grant:
1. The author of the research grant proposal must be an undergraduate or graduate student who is currently attending a Nebraska college or university.
2. The topic of the research grant proposal must lie within the realm of what is normally considered the Earth sciences.
3. The research area described in the proposal must lie within Nebraska, although it may include all or part of one or more adjacent states.
4. Individuals may receive more than one grant during his/her academic career but the proposal must focus on a different research question.
An application for a Yatkola-Edwards Research Grant consists of a research grant proposal and a reference letter. The reference letter can be submitted separately from the grant proposal via email. Both of these documents must be submitted electronically to the address provided below by February 12, 2021.
The research grant proposal must be single-spaced and written in 12-point type, and it must consist of the following parts:
1. TITLE (the title of the research grant proposal in all capitals, centered)
2. Applicant name (centered under the title, two spaces below it)
3. Outline of Problem (under that heading, and to be 400 words or less in length; include a description of any scientific hypotheses to be tested)
4. Significance and Anticipated Results (under that heading, and to be 100 words or less in length; stress the importance of the proposed research in terms of real and/or applied science)
5. References (under that heading, and to include all literature cited in #3 and 4 above)
6. Applicant Biosketch (under that heading, to be in telegraphic form and approximately one paragraph in length), which must include:
a. degrees and colleges attended in reverse chronological order (in this form: year/years: degree/attendance, institution)
b. other grants or scholarships awarded for their current research or for other research programs, in reverse chronological order (in this form: year: award amount, title of proposal, name of granting organization or agency)
The reference letter:
1. Must be authored and signed by the student applicant’s faculty advisor.
2. Must reference the title of the proposal and the student applicant.
3. Must include:
a. comments on the scientific merit of the proposed research, and
b. an assessment of the applicant’s intellectual ability to carry out the proposed research.
An example of a successful proposal can be found on the NGS website (http://www.nebraskageologicalsociety.org/uploads/7/8/0/4/78046294/boerner_audrey_2012_yatkola-edwards_proposal_for_website.pdf).
C. Post-Award Responsibilities
Yatkola-Edwards Research Grant awardees will complete the research that they have proposed within a timely manner that coincides with the duration of their degree program.
All recipients MUST present a 10-15 minute, informative oral presentation summarizing the results of their research, at an official NGS meeting within a year after the awarding of the grant.
D. Inquiries and Contact Information
Please address any inquiries to the Yatkola-Edwards Grant Committee co-chair:
Shane Tucker, University of Nebraska State Museum (stucker3@unl.edu); (402) 472-2657
Completed proposals and letters of reference must be submitted electronically as PDFs by February 12, 2021 to:
Email: stucker3@unl.edu
Subject line: Yatkola-Edwards Grant Committee, Nebraska Geological Society, c/o Shane Tucker
More details at: http://www.nebraskageologicalsociety.org/ngs-grants.html