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UMMZ-Sponsored Graduate Student Awards

Every year, the Museum of Zoology uses its historical endowments, some of which date from the 1940s, to support graduate student research projects and to award scholarships. 

See below for a list of current UMMZ scholarships, but please note that some target research on specific animal groups, as stipulated by the donors.

Donald W. Tinkle Scholarship

This prestigious scholarship ($5000) is awarded on the basis of outstanding performance as a doctoral student. To be eligible, a graduate student must have been admitted to candidacy, must be nominated by a UMMZ curator who is either the student’s dissertation chair or co-chair, and must not have won this award previously.

Nominating materials should be assembled and delivered to the Museum of Zoology office by the nominating curator. The deadline is December 1st. Include the nominee’s current curriculum vitae, copies of publications and completed manuscripts, a list of awards, a history of the student’s performance as a doctoral student, and any other information that will help the ad-hoc UMMZ evaluation committee reach their decision. The nominating letter should be extensive and thorough, describing in detail the qualifications of the student for this award.

 

Mary R. Swales Scholarship

One award of up to $3,000 is available for graduate student research on birds. 
Nominations must include the following:

  1. A letter of nomination from the chair or co-chair of the dissertation committee including information on the student's research potential and achievements, progress on his/her dissertation research, and the significance, and feasibility of the project.
  2. A concise proposal for the research, generally not exceeding 2 pages.
  3. A detailed budget for this research.
  4. A curriculum vitae.

Items 2-4 should be authored by the student. The competition is typically announced at the end of January, with a late February deadline. They will be evaluated by an ad-hoc UMMZ committee and awards will be made pending consultation with the Departmental GAC.

 

Three UMMZ Ichthyology Student Awards

There is no deadline; contact the UMMZ Director, Priscilla Tucker, for details:

Hubbs, Carl L. and Laura C. Fellowship
Ichthyology research student fellowship that covers 50 percent GSRA stipend, fall and winter tuition costs, and benefits (dental, health); renewable pending satisfactory progress toward graduation. Available for Ph.D. students who have completed one year of half-time teaching duties through EEB as well as one year of half-time curatorial assistantship duties through UMMZ's Fish Division.

Ichthyology Graduate Student Support
Provides research, travel or other support (including salary supplements) to graduate students in ichthyology.

Miller, Robert R. and Francis H. Endowment
Supports graduate student research in the UMMZ, with preference for those students in the field of ichthyology.

The competition is typically announced at the end of January, with a late February deadline

Hinsdale & Walker Scholarships

E. C. Walker

Multiple awards are made each year to support doctoral student research projects. Individual awards typically range from $1,500 to $4,000. To be eligible for an award, a graduate student must have been admitted to candidacy and must be nominated by a UMMZ curator who is either the student’s dissertation chair or co-chair. No student may receive an H&W scholarship award more than twice.
Nominations must include the following:

  1. A letter of nomination from the chair or co-chair of the dissertation committee including information on the student's research potential and achievements, progress on his/her dissertation research, and the significance, and feasibility of the project.
  2. A concise proposal for the research, generally not exceeding 2 pages.
  3. A detailed budget for this research.
  4. A curriculum vitae.

Items 2-4 should be authored by the student. The competition is typically announced at the end of January, with a late February deadline. They will be evaluated by an ad-hoc UMMZ committee and awards will be made pending consultation with the Departmental GAC.

 

Charles F. Walker Scholarship

A single award of up to $2,500 is available for graduate student field research in herpetology. 
Nominations must include the following:

  1. A letter of nomination from the chair or co-chair of the dissertation committee including information on the student's research potential and achievements, progress on his/her dissertation research, and the significance, and feasibility of the project.
  2. A concise proposal for the research, generally not exceeding 2 pages.
  3. A detailed budget for this research.
  4. A curriculum vitae.

Items 2-4 should be authored by the student. The competition is typically announced at the end of January, with a late February deadline. They will be evaluated by an ad-hoc UMMZ committee and awards will be made pending consultation with the Departmental GAC.