Apply for the Richard and Susan Hill Fund for Instructional Field Study
About the Fund
The Department of Integrative Biology (IBIO) at Michigan State University (MSU) is
requesting
proposals from MSU faculty members to conduct a field study program for MSU undergraduate
students that is centered around experiential learning about the natural world. Such
a
program should provide students with immersive field instruction and direct encounters
with
nature, in order to complement their coursework experiences in biology and spark curiosities
about the structures and functions of our planet’s organisms and ecosystems.
This program is made possible by the generous donations of the Hill’s and their network of supporters. Up to $8000 can be requested to fund this field program. Though the funding request must be made, and the program ultimately overseen, by an MSU faculty member (or multiple, if crafting a collaborative proposal), post-doc(s) and graduate student(s) are encouraged to connect with PIs and can help design and lead the expedition.
There are no geographic or duration limits to this program, except that (a) preference will be given to instructional field experiences that take place in the United States or Canada, and (b) all travel and expensing must be completed before 1 July 2025.
Allowable expenses for this program include fees for transportation, lodging, meals,
park
entrance, expendable scientific materials necessary for the field expedition, equipment/vehicle
rental (including boats, ATVs, etc.), and instructor stipend(s). Students should incur
no personal
expenses by participating in this program.
This program also must not be a regular or continuing part of an existing MSU course, but can be capitalized on to pilot new programs within a course.
How to Apply
To submit a proposal, faculty members should send the following materials as a single
PDF to
Janet Hershberger (jroe@msu.edu) by 10 January 2025:
- A one-page proposal, containing background and rationale for the field program and
site(s) as well as projected program dates, target number of accepted students, and a
brief plan for student recruitment, applicant-review/-selection, and learning
activities/goals in the program. - CV(s) of the program senior leader(s), including PI(s), post-doc(s), and/or graduate student(s).
- A one-page budget and justification of anticipated, itemized expenses.
We anticipate reviewing proposals and notifying this year’s awardee by 17 January 2025.