Biology
Washington State / Corrine Farrell Distinguished Fellowship in Biology
The Washington State / Corrine Farrell Distinguished Fellowship in Biology was established by generous donations from the Farrell family and the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board to support excellence in Biology. Funds will be awarded to scholastically superior graduate students who are doing research under faculty supervision for payment of tuition, books, supplies and research costs.
Award:
Spring Quarter Research Funding. Standard awards are $750. All applications require a detailed budget. The amount awarded may exceed $750 based on student needs and justification provided.
Please note: Students must apply for the Spring Quarter research funding, which is limited to one award per academic year per graduate student. Priority will be given to students who have not previously been awarded the Spring research funding. Normally, students are eligible to receive the spring award two times in their graduate career.
Current graduate students will have access to funds awarded in Spring Quarter and must spend out their award by 5/31 of the following year. BS/MS Pathway students in Biology who are granted admission to the CWU Biology Graduate program will have access to their funds awarded on July 1 of their application year and must spend out their award by 5/31 of the following year.
Allowable Expenses:
- Thesis research equipment and supplies
- Thesis research travel--to collect data; get needed training or participate in special workshops; or for conference expenses (e.g., food) not covered by the Office of Graduate Studies
- Page charges for publication of a manuscript based on the thesis research that has been accepted for publication by a peer-reviewed journal
- Graduate tuition and fees
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be current Biology graduate students or combined BS/MS pathway undergraduate students in the CWU Department of Biology.
- B.S. / M.S. Pathway Students:
- may apply for this funding in their Senior year of their undergraduate biology degree;
- must have applied to the Master of Science in Biology program by the Feb 1 priority deadline;
- must be working with a faculty mentor to develop a graduate research project;
- must be accepted into the Biology graduate program to receive the Washington State / Corrine Farrell Distinguished Fellowship in Biology
- Students awarded the Botanical/Mycological Research Fund are also eligible for the Washington State Distinguished Fellowship in Biology.
Application Process:
Application Packet must include:
- A project description (1000 word limit) that includes project goals and objectives, significance of the research in the field, methodology and research design and plans for continuing this research in the upcoming quarter(s)
- References or literature cited (not included in word-count limitation)
- Itemized, prioritized budget with justification, and other funding requested/expected/awarded. Please use the WS/CFDF Graduate Student Research Support Award budget template for your budget.
- Be as specific as possible about how the funds will be used.
- Within your budget, please clarify if you are requesting funds from other sources. Note that you should not list two funding sources to purchase the same item(s).
- Include estimations of tax and shipping charges. If possible, include hyperlinks to sites where items will be purchased.
- All items requested may not be funded. Prioritize each budget item and explain how you would complete your research if all items requested are not funded.
- If you are requesting funds to travel, include justification and anticipated travel dates, as well as all transportation (including mileage), registration and other costs associated with the travel.
- If you travel to a conference, you must present your research.
- Include how you will use funds provided by the CWU Graduate School travel fund on your budget, as well.
- Funds will be reimbursed, up to the awarded amount, after travel occurs.
- If you are requesting graduate tuition or fees, indicate the year and quarter that you will be charged for the tuition and/or fees, and the amount you will be charged (based on the number of credits and/or standard graduate fees assessed).
- If necessary or desired, you may include additional justification for requests through a Budget Justification section (not included in the 1000 word-count limitation)
- Endorsement from your advisor through a signature on the cover page indicating the advisor has read the proposal and supports the project.
Application Packet Materials:
Washington State / Corrine Farrell Distinguished Fellowship in Biology Application
Budget Template for WS / CFDF Application
Application Deadline:
- March 1st
- Please submit your completed application via email to the Biology Department Office (biology@cwu.edu).
- Be sure to put “Biology Graduate Fellowship” in the subject line.
Funding Acknowledgement
Award recipients must acknowledge funding in their thesis and all presentations and publications resulting from the research supported by this grant.
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Questions? Contact Us.
Department of Biological Sciences
Science Building, Room 338
Dr. Clay Arango
(509) 963-3163
arangoc@cwu.edu