Graduate Research Awards

The Watershed Studies Institute is accepting applications for three programs to support aquatic-oriented research at Murray State University.

Watershed Summer Research Award. This fellowship provides summer stipends (up to $3,000 depending upon availability of funds) for non-Water Science graduate students.

Watershed Research Tuition Grant. This grant provides up to two semesters of in-state tuition support depending on student qualifications and availability of funds and is open to all graduate students. Faculty mentors may also encourage incoming graduate students to apply (e.g., for Fall 2010).

Watershed Research Grant. This grant provides up to $1000 for supplies needed to support graduate research. Students must provide a detailed budget with their application along with descriptions of other funding sources that have been contacted or will be contacted.

Applicants should submit an application form (available here), a brief (two page) research proposal (attach a budget for Watershed Research Grant applications), a 1-2-page curriculum vitae, evidence that their research proposal has been approved by their committee (Summer Research Awards and Research Grants only), and two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from the research advisor. Send all application materials to Dr. Howard Whiteman, Department of Biological Sciences (howard.whiteman@murraystate.edu). Application deadline: October 31st and February 15th of each year.

Graduate students supported by any of these programs are required to present their research at a Watershed Research Symposium as part of Scholar’s Week during the Spring semester and to acknowledge funding from the WSI in all resulting oral or poster presentations and in any publications (including the thesis). Additionally, students and/or faculty mentors will provide a pdf and hard copy of each thesis and publication supported by these funds to the Center.