Natural Science Student Fund Awards

Spring 2024: Monday, January 29

Applications for NS Endowed Funds are accepted only ONCE per semester rather than on a rolling basis. Application deadlines are firm. 

Natural Science Student Funds

Supporting Division II and Division III Research

Note: No international travel expenses can be funded this year due to Hampshire's suspension of college sponsored travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dana Meadows Sustainability Award Endowment Fund

Supports Division II and Division III student research in agricultural sustainability; in particular, projects directly related to the Hampshire Community-Supported Agriculture Program. Award range: Approximately $100-$200. Faculty contact: Brian Schultz

Denice O'Neill Scholarship Fund

Supports Division II and III research and internships. The proposed student research, project, or internship must relate to at least one of Denice's passions: medicine, anthropology, woman and child health and health care, or child studies. Award range: Up to $1500. Faculty contact: ; Elizabeth Conlisk; and Cynthia Gill

Dr. Lucy Fund

Supports Division II and Division III student research in all areas of the natural sciences. Also supports students traveling to scientific conferences at which student is presenting.

Award Range: $2,000

Conference Award range: approximately $250-$500. Faculty contact: Cynthia Gill

Justine Salton Memorial Fund

Supports the research of women Division III students, though Division II students will be considered. Preference will be given to those working in evolutionary biology or related fields, but applications from women working in other areas are also welcome. Award range: approximately $300-$600. Contact: Cynthia Gill

Larry Beede Scholarship Fund for Southwest Studies

Supports Division II and Division III student research in the greater southwest (including the U.S. southwest and Mexico). Commitment to working on SW issues as evidenced by previous or current coursework desirable. Award range: Up to $400. Contact: Cynthia Gill

Lowry-Bruno-McNeal Fund

This fund, established in honor of Professors Emeriti Merle Bruno, Nancy Lowry, and Ann McNeal, will support underrepresented students in science. Award range: $200-$400. Faculty contact: Cynthia Gill

Samuel Morris Sustainability Endowment Fund

Supports Division II and Division III student research in environmental and agricultural sustainability. Award range: Approximately $300-$600. Faculty contact: Cynthia Gill

Tara Nelson Award

Supports Division II and Division III student research dealing with alternative medicine, public health, and the integration of non-Western medicine with the U.S. healthcare system. Award range: Up to $500. Contact: Cynthia Gill

Supports students doing work relating to the earth, earth sciences, and the environment. Award range: $300-$500. Contact: Cynthia Gill

Application Guidelines

Applications are due: 

           Spring 2024: Monday, January 29

Applications will be reviewed by the designated faculty contact and any related advisory committees, and awards will be based on the following criteria:

  1. Quality of the proposed work, including scientific merit and feasibility.
  2. Quality of previous work and the student's preparation for the current project.
  3. Demonstrated need for special equipment, travel, or supplies (justification of budget).

To apply use the Academic Affairs Grants application, which can be found here.

Required application components include:

  • Application Survey with Proposal
  • Faculty Survey of Support 

Additional Information

  • See award descriptions for request limits.
  • Applicant must be in good academic standing.
  • Funds must be used to support Division II (Morris, Meadows, Dr. Lucy, Nelson, O’Neill) or Division III research (all funds).
  • Project-related expenses include
    • equipment
    • supplies and materials.
  • Awards do not cover food and housing (with the exception of the Dr. Lucy Conference Fund).
  • Each expense item must be justified in the budget.
  • Awards will not be given for projects that have already been completed, and funds cannot be awarded to reimburse you for expenses already incurred before the award date.
  • All equipment that is purchased using awards becomes the property of Hampshire College. Therefore, funds will not be awarded for any personal gear such as climbing helmets, upgrades to personal computers, or gift cards.

Rules for award recipients

Students who receive an award are expected to write a brief (one page) report at the end of the project, summarizing their findings and describing how the funds were spent. In addition, awardees are encouraged to inform the NS office of any presentations or first-authored publications that result from the work, so that we can post an abstract on our website. Finally, in ten or so years after graduation, awardees are welcome to return to Hampshire to talk to current students about their fabulous careers!

Did you know?

SPARC has a complete list of funding for students.