Whittell Forest Graduate Research Grant

Deadline for submission: Friday, May 15, 2026 by 5 p.m.

In support of research on the University’s Whittell Forest & Wildlife Area, Research & Innovation is pleased to offer two graduate research grants for the 2026-2027 year. A total of $10,000 (two $5,000 awards) is available to support graduate students enrolled in any academic program at the University of Nevada, Reno, who are able to leverage Whittell to advance their graduate work.

Grants will be awarded on the basis of:

• Merits of proposed research, including problem importance, originality and study design.
• The feasibility of successfully completing the proposed work.
• Preference given to students lacking funding and from underrepresented disciplines.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be graduate students enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. program at the University of Nevada, Reno.
• Candidates must use the Whittell Forest & Wildlife Area or the Little Valley Research Station as a core research or innovation site.
• Students from all departments and disciplines are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Allowable expenses

• Salaries and stipends
• Travel to/from the field site
• Field, lab, computing, or other supplies
• Funds must be spent in the fiscal year awarded
• Professional development trainings are not approved costs and the panel may reject purchases that do not directly support project or thesis/dissertation advancement

Application procedure

1. A complete application contains the following:
   • Cover letter, not to exceed one (1) page, detailing personal motivations for research as well as rationale for a $5,000 grant
   • Project description, not to exceed three (3) pages in length, including the following:
     • Significance of research
     • Study objectives and/or research questions
     • Brief review of relevant literature
     • Study design
     • Timeline
     • Itemized budget for a $5,000 award
   • Curriculum vitae
   • Letter of recommendation from supervising faculty advisor indicating support of proposed research and addressing the merits for funding this research
   • Copies of appropriate collecting permits, where applicable.
2. Compile all application materials into a single PDF and email to sbisbing@unr.edu.
3. Applications will be reviewed by a subcommittee, which may include members of the Whittell Forest Advisory Committee.
4. Funding support requires periodic reporting to Research & Innovation, including a brief presentation to the Advisory Committee during the 2026-2027 academic year as well as a final report of progress, spending, and preliminary results by the end of the summer 2027 field season (September 1, 2027).