Integrative Biology Funding

Professional Development Funds

The Department of Integrative Biology has set aside support for Ph.D. and Master's students' professional development, specifically travel to conferences, but funds can be used for other activities. We have $300 for domestic and $500 for international conference travel each year for each graduate student. Requests can be submitted any time throughout the year. Funds not used each year cannot be applied to future years. It is expected that students will be seeking additional funds from other sources, for example, your Advisor, the College, the Graduate School, EEB, and the Society sponsoring the conference.

To apply:

1. Complete the form: https://forms.gle/n5ZJqYnFahQTsocp8

2. Email Louise Mead (lsmead@msu.edu) to notify of submission.

Keep in mind that all University business-related travel (seminars, conferences, field research, etc.) must be authorized in advance of departure through the Concur travel system. Instructions for how to submit the request, and process your reimbursement following the event can be found here: How to Create and Submit a Request If need assistance, contact Janet Hershberger at 517-432-9817 or by email at jroe@msu.edu.

---

George J. Wallace and Martha C. Wallace Endowed Scholarship Award

Background

Learn more about George J. Wallace.

 

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by the second Monday in February by 5 p.m. 

Purpose

For graduate students working with birds.

Eligibility

This award is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated:

• The capacity to achieve educational and professional goals.
• The motivation to achieve these goals.
• The initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

The applicants should be graduate level students (in exceptional cases, advanced undergraduate students will be considered), have an exceptional academic record, and be pursuing a Master's or Doctoral program in avian research. Preference will be given to specialties in behavioral, ecological or systematic research on birds.

The amount of the award varies from year to year, but is generally a minimum of $2,500.

How to Apply

Application information and materials available for download:

• Wallace Scholarship.doc (Microsoft Word format)
• Wallace Scholarship.pdf (PDF)

For questions regarding this form, contact:

Past Winners

The 2023 George J. Wallace and Martha C. Wallace Endowed Scholarship Award winner was Sam Ayebare. View the complete list of Wallace winners.

Dr. Marvin Hensley Endowed Scholarship in Zoology

Deadline

Spring semester

Purpose 

The scholarship was established to further the disciplines of zoological and biological science. Its goal is to provide financial support for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing an education in vertebrate zoology with an emphasis on field study. One undergraduate and one graduate scholarship are awarded each year. The selection of recipient(s) will be made in the spring of each year with the award being paid for the upcoming Fall. The scholarship is administered by the Department of Integrative Biology.

Eligibility

Graduate recipients shall be chosen on the following basis:

• Enrolled in graduate studies in the Department of Integrative Biology, and maintain graduate standing consistent with college requirements throughout the proposed project period.
• An outstanding academic record. 
• Studying a topic related to vertebrate biology with emphasis on field research. 
• Financial needs will be considered. 
• Renewable for up to three years on the advisor's view of satisfactory progress. 

How to Apply

Past Winners

The 2023 Dr. Marvin Hensley Endowed Scholarship in Zoology (graduate student) winner is Miranda Wade. View the complete list of Hensley (Graduate) winners.

 

John R. Shaver, Ph.D. Graduate Student Fund in Zoology

Deadline

Announced in March or early April.

Purpose

John R. Shaver, who served on the faculty of our department from 1956 to 1981, created this endowment to express his support for a strong graduate program in Zoology. These funds can be used for (but are not limited to) supplementary or summer stipends, research-related travel, and research supplies. We expect to make three to four merit-based awards each spring in amounts ranging from $1000-2000.

Eligibility

Graduate students in the Department of Integrative Biology seeking financial support for their dissertation research.

How to Apply

Required application materials:

• A project description not to exceed two double-spaced pages (references may appear on additional pages) of 12-point font. 
• A budget and budget justification. 
• A curriculum vitae. 
• A brief letter of endorsement from the major professor.

Applications should be submitted to Katherine Terry (smit2784@msu.edu) by 5 pm on March 15th of each year.