PAS Grants

COLLEGE STUDENT RESEARCH FUNDS AVAILABLE
The Pennsylvania Academy of Science has funds available to support UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENT research in the natural, physical, or social sciences. Proposals should be written and submitted by the student under faculty guidance. Proposals will be accepted until May 1 at which time they will undergo review by professional referees, and evaluation by the PAS Research Grant Committee. Authors of proposals selected for funding will be notified by October 15. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by November 15. Grants are normally made in the amount of $500 or less, as requested in the proposal and, therefore, proposal budgets should take this limit to consideration.

General Guidelines for proposal:

(1) Mentors/Principle Investigators must be active members of PAS
(2) Mentors/Principle Investigators can submit up to 2 proposals for funding consideration
(3) Projects should be of such nature that they could be initiated and completed within one year.
(4) The PAS funds are to be used primarily for expendable supplies, small pieces of equipment, and travel, living and/or housing expenses, if essential for the project.
(5) Funds are not to be used for major pieces of equipment.
(6) Results of the project are normally communicated at the next meeting of the PAS following completion of the research. The student is encouraged to submit a manuscript for consideration of publication in the Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.


Proposal Format should include the following Sections:
(1) A titled INTRODUCTION describing the nature of the project and discussing the novelty or significance of the research. A general summary of the pertinent literature must be provided to demonstrate to the reviewers that the author has adequate knowledge of the research area.
(2) A titled METHODS & MATERIALS describing how the research will be carried out; the kinds of materials and equipment used; the procedures to be employed regarding the care, use and disposition of research animals; the approximate starting and finishing dates of the research for which PAS funding is requested.
(3) A titled STUDY PARTICIPANTS identifying the student(s) and supervising PAS member, their affiliation (e.g., academic institution or employer), and position or section status. The role of the student(s) must be CLEARLY identified. The previous relevant experience of the PAS member in supervising research must be discussed. A statement is required that the research supervisor is a current PAS member. A statement should be made regarding primary responsibility for writing the proposal, if not the author(s) given.
(4) A titled BUDGET will include an ITEMIZED budget showing how PAS funds are to be used, and identifying the piece of equipment and facilities currently available to do the research. If funding is to be supplied by other sources, this should be identified. Additional guidance regarding format can be found in the “Guidelines for Authors” in Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.
Submission by email required and clearly list on the cover page, the area to which the grant most closely applies: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Cell Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Genetics, Geology, Microbiology or other. The PAS Research Grant Committee will evaluate all proposal reviews, and the proposals will be ranked for preference for funding. Only those proposal judged worthy of funding will receive funding to the extent funding is available. Unsuccessful proposals may be reconsidered after revision in accordance with suggestions by the PAS Research Grant Committee and proposal referees.

Send emails or materials to:
Dr. Jane Cavender,
Chairman PAS Research Grant Committee
Department of Biology
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA 17022, e-mail: cavender@etown.edu

 

Grant Opportunities

DARBAKER PRIZE - $1,000
The Darbaker Prize is a Pennsylvania Academy of Science (PAS) award given for outstanding scholarly contributions which use microscopic techniques and present microscopic illustrations in the reporting of biological research. The award is competitive amongst qualified papers submitted in association with the Academy's annual meeting.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Science established the Darbaker Prize in 1952. Funds for the award are made available through a bequest of the late L.K. Darbaker, 1939 PAS President. Referring to the award, Dr. Darbaker stated: "Any sum applicable to the Pennsylvania Academy of Science shall be for grant or grants in Microscopical Biology."

To qualify for the Darbaker Prize, a scientist or scientists must: (1) have used microscopy (light, SEM, TEM or other technologies) in the research they report, (2) submit in proper format a manuscript reporting the results of the completed study for consideration to be published in the Journal, (3) specifically state a request to the Editor of the Journal to have their manuscript considered for the Darbaker Prize for the current calendar year, and (4) be a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. Darbaker Prize competition manuscripts are expected to be presented and submitted at the PAS annual meeting, but if not, manuscripts will be accepted for consideration within four weeks (28 calender days) following the last day of the annual meeting. Only manuscripts that have successfully completed the review process and have been accepted for publication in the Journal will be eligible for the award.

The Editor of the Journal will examine all manuscripts submitted for award consideration to determine the fulfillment of requirements. The editor will then forward the eligible manuscripts with his/her and reviewers' recommendations to the PAS President for final decision. The Darbaker Prize will be made in the Journal at an appropriate time.

For further information contact:
Shyamal K. Majumdar, Ph.D,
Editor of the Journal
Professor of Biology
Lafayette College
Easton PA 18042
Ph: (610) 330 5464; Fax: (610) 330 5705
E-Mail: majumdas@lafayette.edu

 

PAS High School Student Research Grants
The PAS has funds to provide modest financial support, not in excess of $100, for student research projects. Students working on projects in the Natural or Physical Sciences under the direction of PAS member scientists at high schools, colleges, or in industry may submit an application for support.

Proposal Guidelines:

  1. Funds are to be used primarily for supplies; secondarily, for small pieces of equipment if essential.
  2. Funds are not to be used for major pieces of equipment, student stipends, travel, etc.
  3. Proposals are encouraged that involve groups of students working together on a project.
  4. Students are encouraged to present their findings at the next meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS).

Proposal Requirements:

  1. A title page with project title, name and grade of the student; sponsor name (PAS member); school name, address and phone number; characterization of school location (urban, suburban, or rural). The title page should also include the total amount requested (not to exceed $100) and the signatures of student and sponsor.
  2. A short summary of the project, including pertinent background information, a statement of the hypothesis, a description of the planned experiments, and a statement of the expected results.
  3. Budget, including a statement of how the money will be used and a statement of the time frame during which the project will be performed.

Proposal Deadlines:
March 30 and November 15.
Proposals received after a deadline will be reviewed during the following period.

Send completed proposals or requests for further information to:
Dr. Jane F. Cavender
Chairperson, PAS Research Grant Committee
Department of Biology
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298