Research Assistantfellowship

Research AssistantFellowship

2018Request for Applications (RFA)

Part I - General Information

Purpose:

The purpose of the Research AssistantFellowship is to nurture the development of promising students who are interested in environmental science research and land management.The Institute is committed to training and supporting future land managers and scientists.Providing science and stewardship education enhances the mission of the Institute to promote environmental education, research, preservation, and appreciation.

The Research AssistantFellowshipprogram enables a student, with support from a faculty mentor, to gain hands-on experience in natural areas management research and work with other scientists to conduct an intensiveresearchproject at the Institute.The student will receive a $4,200 stipend, and each applicant will be provided with up to 12 weeks of on-site housing and breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday while at the Institute during the summer months.

The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to obtain grant applications from students of the Pierce Cedar Creek Consortium for theResearch AssistantFellowship program.

Eligibility:

The Research AssistantFellowshipis available to an undergraduate student of the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute Consortium.Full-time students who have not yet completed the requirements for graduation are eligible.Students must be over 18 by the start of the project. Students who are not U.S. citizens should contact Matthew Dykstra directly before applying to ensure eligibility. Research Assistant Fellows must commit to32-40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks, and they will work on an individual project developed by a faculty mentor related to land management.

Grant Award:

Two students will be funded for 2018. The announcement of the student selection will be made in March of 2018. Housing and meal service (breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday) will run from May 14 until August 10, 2018.

Applications:

To be considered, applicants must submit a completed RFA using the format in Part III, Application and Guidelines.The entire application and instructions are included on the following pages.A signed copy of the application must be emailed toMatthew Dykstra at: y 5 pm on January 31, 2018.Applications should provide a straightforward, concise description of the applicant’s goals and objectives and should be written with an emphasis on clarity, content, creativity,and completeness.

Prime Applicant Responsibilities:

The selected student will assume responsibility for all grant activities defined in the proposal.He or she will also be responsible for meeting all reporting deadlines and other requirements of this grant as detailed in Part II, Terms and Conditions.

Part II - Terms and Conditions

Indemnification:

The grantee shall indemnify and hold harmless Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and its agents and employees from and against all claims, damages, losses, and expenses including attorneys’ fees that may arise out of or resulting from the performance of the work required under this grant.

Fellowship Responsibilities:

The purpose of the Research AssistantFellowship is to provide the student with training in basic land management researchwhile also benefitting the Institute’s stewardship efforts. Once a studentis chosen for a fellowship, he or she will need to sign a grant agreementand return it to the Institute prior to March 31, 2018.The grant agreement signifies that the student accepts the responsibility to complete the proposed project and agrees with the terms and conditions of the grant.The Research Assistant Fellow is required to attend an orientation meeting on April 14, 2018.

The Research Assistant Fellow will spend his or her time learning about basic land management research and assisting with a researchproject at the Institute. This fellowship will include:

Field work
Learning plant identification
Learning how to use GPS/GIS
Learning how to use basic research methodology for species monitoring
Sharing findings through presentations and writing papers
Communicating with the general public
Working as a part of a scientific research team.

The Research Assistant Fellow will also give a presentation of his or her work at the Student Report Meeting on September29, 2018.The student will be encouraged to share his or her experience through helping with anInstitute education program.They will also interact with the students and faculty on site for the URGE summer science program,Gordon Art Fellowship, Graduate Research Fellowship, and Nature in Words Fellowship,connecting the current research to the land management at the Institute, building an interdisciplinary element to the Institute’s summer programming.

Reporting:

The grantee will be responsible for submitting a brief, written interim report on June 28,2018,outlining the work accomplished to date, work to be accomplished before the project is complete, real or anticipated problems, along with notification of any significant deviation(s) from the grant agreement.Grantee will present an oral progress report (with PowerPoint presentation) on the same day.Granteewill present his or herfinal presentations at the Student Report Meetingon September29, 2018. The student will also be required to participate in an evaluation of the summer fellowship program.

Grantees are strongly encouraged to present their work both at the Institute and at other locations (home institution, Stewardship Network Conference, etc.). The support from Pierce Cedar Creek Institute shall be acknowledged in all reports and exhibitions.

Grant Payments:

Student stipends will be paid in fiveinstallments, withthe last payment paid after the final project and report are approved.

Part III - Application and Guidelines

Application:

The completed application and cover sheet must be e-mailed as a single document in Microsoft Word format to Matthew Dykstra() at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute by January 31, 2018. The application must be double-spaced and in 11 point or larger font.All applications not submitted in the format listed above will require resubmission in the correct format.

By signing the cover sheet the Research Assistant Fellow accepts the responsibility to complete the proposed project and agrees with the terms and conditions described in Part II.

Research AssistantFellowship

Application - Cover Sheet

Deadline: January 31, 2018

Must be typed

College or University:

Student

Name:

Local Address:

Permanent Address:

Phone: E-mail:

Major: Emphasis (if applicable):

Anticipated graduation date: Current GPA:

Available Dates of Project: to

Institute On-site Housing and Meal Support

Student: days overnights

1.Budget Summary

a. Student Stipend Request $4,200

Signatures

______

Research Assistant FellowDate

Research AssistantFellowship

Application

Application:
Two page synopsis of your background, education, and career goals. Include a description of how this program will fit with your career goals and development as a land management/natural resources/science professional. Describe why we should select you for this program. Include a statement of commitment that you will commit 10 to 12 weeks of full-time work to the Institute for successful fellowship completion.
Availability during the summer months, including start and end dates and pre-existing commitments.

Attachments:
Student’s one-page resume (work, educational, volunteer, or other experiences that support the student’s ability to carry out this project).
Student’s unofficial transcript reflecting courses completed and grades received.
List of threereferences.
Letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

Email the application and cover sheet, (the signed cover sheet can be sent as a separate PDF file if necessary) in Microsoft Word format (docor docx) or PDF to Matthew Dykstra at: .

Any questions regarding the grants can be directed to:

Matthew Dykstra - Field Station Manager

or 269-721-4473

Research AssistantFellowship

Award Evaluation Criteria

The following factors will be considered in making award decisions for the Research AssistantFellowship program:

1.Quality of Application

Program is in the student’s discipline.
Essay is easy to understand, well-written, and presented clearly.
Program is appropriate for student.
Program adds to the development of the student’s academic and professional growth and development.

2.Student Qualifications

The proposal, student’s resume and transcript(s)demonstrate how the student’s background,experience, and interests contribute to the project. Also considered are the

a)student’s completion of appropriate related coursework, b) other experiences preparing the student for work in this program, c) and student’s overall excellence (GPA) in their college level studies.

Research Assistant Fellowship

Expectations of Students

Conduct a full-time research project 32 - 40 hours a week for 10-12 weeks primarily in the summer months.Attend an orientation meeting April 14, a progress report meeting June 28, and a final report meeting September 29, 2018.
Prepare a presentation, with help from your faculty mentor, for the final report meeting September 29, 2018.
Submit a final report from the project.
Acknowledge Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s sponsorship on presentations or publications.
Participate in a program evaluation.
Fill out all paperwork required, such as the Emergency Contact Form.
Communicate with Institute staff regarding any needs student may have.
Complete at least 20 hours ofservice activity such as event duties, education programs, or other activity for the Institute.
Participate as much as student can in extra-curricular activities at the Institute.
Get to know new people, and enjoy a new experience!
There are also many additional things to do to enhance your experience and help the Institute’s program grow, such as:
Volunteer to explain your project at the Institute to volunteers and/or community members.
Agree to make a presentation to the students in a college course or club about the Institute.

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