Scholarships and Grants

VSO Conservation Grant, $500-$1,000

The VSO Board established the Conservation Fund (originally named the Small Grants Conservation Fund) in March 2007. The VSO Conservation Committee manages the fund.Each year, the Virginia Society of Ornithology provides Conservation Grants to worthy candidates, generally university undergraduates, conducting research in the field of bird conservation with potential benefits to Virginia species and habitats. Conservation Grants are also occasionally given to candidates needing funds for community conservation projects with a direct benefit to birds in Virginia. The VSO Board of Directors has budgeted $2,500.00 annually. Awards are usually $500.00, $1,000.00 or occasionally more, and the amount is determined by the Conservation Committee.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a request in writing to the Conservation Committee Chair. Each application should include:

1. A 1-2 page proposal describing how the proposed work will lead to improved conservation of Virginia’s avifauna and/or its habitat

2. Requested funding level

3. Detailed budget for requested funding

The Conservation Committee will consider each application and confer with the entire Board of the VSO. Applications will be evaluated based on clarity of content, purpose, and how the proposed work will provide a benefit to birds.

Grant recipients will report their findings to the VSO at the completion of their project with a paper or publication (with preference for publishing in The Raven). Progress reports may be requested.

We also request that a presentation of your results or progress would be presented at the VSO Annual Meeting in May of the year following receipt of your grant. We will share your presentation on the VSO website and on social media.

Recipients will be awarded a one-year membership in the VSO.

Please submit your application to Dan Albrecht-Mallinger (Conservation Chair) at dan.albrechtmallinger@gmail.com no later than January 31 for the current year of funding need. We ask that applicants apply for either the Conservation Grant or the Murray Award (please do not apply for both in the same funding cycle).

Applicants will be notified of results mid-February.  

VSO Outreach Grants up to $1,000

The VSO seeks to increase access to the joy of connecting with nature through birds by engaging historically under-served communities, including but not limited to Minorities, Tribes, LGBTQ, disability, and other under-represented groups, in birding activities.  The ultimate goal is to bring all voices together for nature conservation that benefits all.  See this flier for suggestions of projects and relevant expenses.  Flier can be downloaded, emailed, or printed and mailed to potentially interested applicants.  Applications should include the following information:

1.     A detailed description of the project, including venue and target participants.

2.     A description of how the applicant will attract and engage the intended participants.

3.     A short discussion of the impact the applicant hopes to have.

4.     A budget describing how VSO grant funds will be used.

Grant recipients agree to write a summary of results upon completion of the project, including the number and general responses of participants to the event, to be shared on the VSO website and social media.  

The 2024 grant cycle has successfully concluded. Last year’s winners can be found here. The announcement for 2025 grants and application process will be available by January 2025. 

J.J. Murray Research Award, $1,000

The Murray Award was established in 1980 to honor the Rev. J. J. Murray, Sr., a charter member of the VSO and the editor of its journal, The Raven, from its inception until 1969. The award is designed to promote graduate and undergraduate research consisting of current or projected field studies on Virginia birds. The VSO Board of Directors has budgeted $2,000 annually to support two proposals. Proposals will be judged for their scientific merit and the likelihood that the work will make a meaningful contribution to our understanding of Virginia avifauna.

Upon completion of the research, the recipient will be asked to present the results at a VSO annual meeting held in May, and are encouraged to publish the results in an appropriate journal. The recipient will also be awarded a one-year membership in the VSO.

Applicants must submit the following materials by January 31 as a PDF file:

1. Proposal of ≤ 5 pages including background, objectives/hypotheses, methods, expected results, and benefits to VA birds. Citations should be included in the 5 pages.

2. Budget describing how the VSO funds will be used along with any other funding already acquired to carry out the project.

3. Name of the institution and department they are enrolled in, the degree they are working towards, and the name of their research advisor.

Applicants should also have their advisor send a letter of recommendation separately that, at a minimum, verifies the applicant is a student is in good standing and is receiving the advisor's support for the proposed project. Inclusion of additional information about the applicant is also helpful and will be considered by the reviewers.

Applicants will be notified of the results by mid-March. Please send proposals or requests for information to: Lesley Bulluck, Center for Environmental Studies, VCU, lpbulluck@vcu.edu

We ask that applicants apply for either the Conservation Grant or the Murray Award (please do not apply for both in the same funding cycle).

VSO Field Ornithology Scholarship, $500

The VSO would like to annually support one student/recent graduate to participate in a formal training/workshop to gain field ornithology skills (i.e., mist-netting, banding, etc.). Applicants need to submit the following materials (a) description of the workshop they hope to attend, including a web link to the opportunity if one exists, (b) description of why the student needs to gain these skills, and (c) a brief budget of expected expenses. Students working with a faculty member to carry out a specific project to benefit Virginia birds will be given priority.

Applicants will be notified of the results by early March. Please send proposals or requests for information by January 31 to: Lesley Bulluck, Center for Environmental Studies, VCU, lpbulluck@vcu.edu. 

Applicants will be notified of the results by mid-March.   

Youth Conservation Scholarship, $500

The VSO would like to annually support one early-stage student (high school or undergraduate) to participate in an avian research experience. The hope is that the funds will enable a student with interests in avian research to participate in field research with a mentor. Such opportunities can provide much needed and sometimes difficult to acquire experience that propels them to future opportunities. This can be especially true for under-represented minority students. Applications can come directly from early-stage students with an agreed upon mentor OR from a graduate student/faculty member interested in mentoring a student (that may not yet be identified). Applicants should submit a brief description of the research to be conducted, including the role that the student will have, and the length of the mentoring experience. Applications should be <=2 pages. Please send proposals or requests for information by January 31 to: Lesley Bulluck, Center for Environmental Studies, VCU, lpbulluck@vcu.edu.