Deadline: January 7, 2022
Applications are open for the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Botany in Action Fellowship Program 2022. The Botany in Action Fellowship fosters the development of the next generation of plant-based scientists who are committed, first, to excellent research, and second, to educational outreach.
A BIA Fellowship consists of one year of support for research funding and educational outreach, as well as life-long membership in a growing network of plant-based scientists connecting their research with the public. BIA Fellows are encouraged to re-apply to the program for continued funding for up to three years of support towards completion of their dissertation research.
Research priority areas include:
- Ethnobotany, with special interest in plant use for physical and/or psychological well-being.
- Diversity and conservation, particularly in regional (southwest Pennsylvania and adjacent states) and tropical forests.
- Landscape and brownfield restoration, particularly in plant-based ecosystem services.
- Sustainable landscapes.
- Interdisciplinary plant-based research at the intersection of human and environmental health.
Benefits
The program provides each fellow with:
- $5,000 for use towards research-related expenses at sites in the US or abroad
- An all-expenses paid trip to Phipps, to engage in science outreach training and opportunities to translate and communicate their research to non-scientific, public audiences through written, visual and/or oral means, (contingent on the COVID19 situation)
- Subsequent opportunities to connect their research with the public through programs, exhibits, and other outreach venues.
Eligibility
All applicants must be:
- Enrolled in a PhD program at a US graduate institution (US citizenship is not required);
- Conducting plant-based research;
- Able to travel to Pittsburgh, PA from a location within the US (costs will be reimbursed) for the duration of the Botany in Action Science Engagement Week, which will be September 15 – 18, 2022 – contingent on the COVID19 situation;
- Able to commit to monthly online outreach (e.g. podcast, blogging, vlogging, etc) after Science Engagement Week.
Application
The application package should convince reviewers the applicant possesses the knowledge and skills to successfully complete and publish the results of the proposed research and is committed to connecting their work with non-scientific audiences. A complete application includes the following three components:
- Proposal
- Curriculum Vitae
- Two Letters of Recommendation
The Proposal and CV must be saved together as a single WORD or PDF file, with the proposal appearing first. The file name should start with the applicant’s last name, followed by the term ‘BIA’, funding year pursued, and ‘App’ (e.g. Smith_BIA_2022_App.pdf). If submitting a PDF, include an additional WORD file with Applicant Contact Information, University, Research Site, Recommender Information, Proposal Title and Two Abstracts. All application materials should be emailed to [email protected] with subject line ‘BIA 2022 application’ followed by applicant’s last name.
Each recommendation letter must be sent directly from the recommender. The letter should be saved as a PDF file and named as follows, with underscores between each section: applicant’s last name, ‘BIA’, funding year pursued, ‘Rec’, ‘R’ if supporting research or ‘O’ if supporting outreach, and recommender’s last name (e.g. Smith_BIA_2022_Rec_O_McGuire.pdf). These should be emailed to [email protected].
For more information, visit Botany in Action.
