The CNPS North Coast Chapter Student Research Grants

The North Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) annually offers student research grants of up to $4,000 for studies focused on local, native plants and their habitats. This grant is available to undergraduate and graduate students at Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods.

The purpose of these grants is to assist and promote student research that leads to a greater understanding of native plants and their habitats and, ideally, better conservation and management outcomes.  Research topics and approaches can vary widely and include but are not limited to basic biology, taxonomy, ecological interactions, vegetation, evolutionary biology, climate change, traditional ecological knowledge, ecological restoration, listed species recovery, invasive species eradication and management, and native plant habitat studies. However, the research must focus on plants native to Humboldt, Trinity, Siskiyou, and Del Norte Counties.

To apply for the grant submit the following by March 1, two pages please:

• Title of the project, applicant’s name, address, phone number, email address, and the date submitted.
• Estimated time frame for project with brief timeline.
• Description of the project: Outline the purposes, objectives, hypotheses where appropriate, and methods of data collection and analysis; highlight aspects of the work that you believe are particularly important and creative; list the implications of the work, if any, for improved native plant conservation, management, or species recovery.
• Description of the final product.
• Budget: Summarize intended use of funds. Our grant does not approve the outright purchase of capital equipment or high-end items such as computers and software.
• Academic status (school, graduate student, undergrad)
• A letter of support from a sponsor, such as an academic supervisor, major professor, professional associate or colleague should accompany your application.
• Your signature, as the person performing the project and the one responsible for dispersing the funds. All of the information related to your application must be submitted electronically.

Application materials should be submitted electronically (in PDF format) to Michael Kauffmann [] and Dr. Erik Jules [].

Grant recipients will be selected by the Chapter’s Student Research Grant Committee and approved by the Chapter’s steering committee.  Upon or near completion of the research project, grant recipients will be expected to give a brief presentation of their project at a Chapter meeting and write a short synopsis of their findings for Darlingtonia, the chapter’s newsletter. Grant recipients are eligible to apply for a second grant, but no more.

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The North Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society is a group of enthusiastic people sharing their knowledge of California’s native plants, studying native plants, and speaking up for native plants in conservation issues. The public is welcome at our events. We encourage membership in CNPS to make our voice for native plants stronger. The mission of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is to increase understanding and appreciation of California’s native plants and to conserve them and their natural habitats through science, education, advocacy, horticulture, and land stewardship.