Graduate Student Funding
GDPE is dedicated to helping support our students through various funding opportunities. Regular opportunities include Research Grants (due the second Tuesday in Sept. and Feb.) and Travel & Training Grants due the fourth Tuesday in Sept. and Feb.). There are also several Graduate Assistantships available each year. Please refer to the appropriate sections below for details.
Please contact our Assistant Director, Jennifer Neuwald, if you have any questions.
Grants
Research Grant
Deadline: Second Tuesday in September (Fall) and February (Spring)
We accept applications for small grants (maximum $2,000) to fund GDPE students to support their graduate research towards their degrees. Proposals will be reviewed and scored by a diverse group of GDPE faculty, postdocs, and sometimes previous award recipients.
There are two application cycles:
- Fall (due 2nd Tuesday in September)
- ~2-4 grants funded for research expenses used by the end of the spring semester.
- Spring (due 2nd Tuesday in February)
- ~2-4 grants funded.
- More funds are typically available for research costs incurred prior to June 30th.
Evaluation Criteria:
Any research intended to contribute to a GDPE student’s thesis or dissertation is eligible and equally considered. The reviewers use this rubric in their evaluations of:
- Quality of the research and the research proposal, including adherence to guidelines and justification of the budget (80%).
- Qualifications of the graduate student investigator including progress toward degree, participation in GDPE activities, presentations at professional meetings and publications (20%).
Budgets and Use of Funds:
Requests for grant funds should not exceed the limits of the call ($2000). If the proposed work requires more funding than can be supported by this grant, students should carve out a smaller portion of their work that can be supported by the call or clarify how remaining research costs will be covered. Students are likewise encouraged to apply for amounts below the maximum (e.g., $500 to add a particular analysis) and/or to indicate if partial funding would be helpful. Awarded funds can be used for any combination of costs listed below:
- Equipment and supplies for research.
- Costs of travel to field or remote lab sites or to collaborate with others on research (not to professional meetings or development).
- Equipment rental for research.
- Hiring of a research assistant (graduate student stipends may not be requested).
Recommendations:
Students at all levels in all degree plans (MS, PhD) are encouraged to apply. Students who have received GDPE research funding should give special attention to the “Previous GDPE Funding” section of the application to provide a thoughtful justification for additional funding. Priority is given to high-ranking first-time proposals above high-ranking proposals of those who have received funding previously. You are encouraged to work with your advisor on your grant proposal. Incorporating feedback from your advisor and previous reviews improves your chances of funding.
How to Apply
Please submit the relevant components below:
- Download and complete the Application Form.
- Provide requested information. Your itemized budget and budget justification are part of the application. Please be judicious about details to include and succinct, but clear, with your information. Please adhere to requested limits. Name your pdf using the format: Lastname_Firstname_GDPE_ResearchGrant.doc.
- 2-page Research Proposal (please append your proposal to your application to turn in a single pdf).
- Please include a title and your name at the top of your proposal.
- Include sections for your question(s), hypotheses, methods (including data analyses), highlights of results to date, expected outcome(s), and references.
- Use no smaller than 11-point font and maintain at least a 1-inch margin.
- Your list of references is part of the 2-page limit. Consider using in-line superscript numbers and a truncated format for references to save space (refer to Science or Nature for ideas on how to do this).
- You may also include a 3rd page with no more than one supporting figure.
- Letter of Support from your major advisor (sent separately)
Letter should highlight (i) the quality of your research, (ii) your progress in research and toward your degree, and (iii) any other outstanding qualities. Advisors may also use this as an opportunity to comment on any financial need to complete the proposed research. Ask your major advisor to email a letter of support to Dr. Jennifer Neuwald ([email protected]). Double check with them as we approach the deadline to confirm they have submitted this!
Note: Historically, we have worked to fund as many proposals as possible. Please consider your budget line items carefully to ensure that your budget is reasonable. Please prioritize your expenses and indicate which line items would be suitable for partial support. Also, if you only need a small grant (e.g. $400), you are welcomed and encouraged to apply!
Research Grant Application Submission
Travel and Training Grant
Deadline: Fourth Tuesday in September (Fall) and February (Spring)
We accept applications for professional development and travel grants (up to $750) to GDPE students who are seeking aid to attend professional meetings, workshops, symposia, or other professional development events.
There are two application cycles:
- Fall (due 4th Tuesday in September)
- ~2-4 grants funded
- travel occurs between September (retroactive funding possible) and the end of February.
- Spring (due 4th Tuesday in February)
- ~3 grants funded for travel in spring & early summer (before June 30).
- ~3 grants funded for travel in late summer (July 1 or later).
- travel occurs between March and the end of August.
Requirements for this funding opportunity include:
- Travel must be to a professional meeting, workshop, symposium, training or other such activity.
· Students are expected to be active participants at the event. Students attending discipline-specific professional meetings (e.g. ESA) must present a talk or poster from your graduate research in GDPE.
· Examples of professional development include institutes, pedagogical training, or other professional training that ties directly to enhancing your career. It should not be travel to field & research sites or one-on-one colleague collaborations. Those funds can be requested under the GDPE Small Research Grant. - Funding can be used for meeting registration, airfare, lodging, or other travel-related expenses.
· Registration fees only cover the cost of registration, not additional items, such as conference shirts, banquets, field trips, etc. - Awards are for GDPE students only.
Preference will be given to:
- Students near the end of their research careers in GDPE, who are actively looking to network at the meeting and are searching for a post-graduate position.
- Students who have not received previous travel grants from GDPE.
- Students presenting oral presentations rather than posters or are facilitators rather than participants.
- Students participating in other service, leadership, or social justice roles at the meeting.
- Students who can demonstrate their active participation in GDPE.
Note: All students are welcome to apply! The criteria above are guidelines for preference, but we regularly fund students who don’t meet these criteria due to stochastic applicant pools and available funding.
Disclaimers:
- Please be aware that university policy requires that receipts for reimbursement must be submitted to within 6 weeks upon completion of travel. Submit to your advising department finance coordinator.
- Acceptance of presentation/poster is required prior to the dispersal of fund
How to Apply
Please submit the relevant components below:
- Download and complete the Application Form (link below).
Name your file using the format: Lastname_Firstname_GDPE_TravelGrant.doc. - Letter of Support from your major advisor (sent separately)
Letter should address the importance of this travel/event to your professional development. Ask your major advisor to email a letter of support to Dr. Jennifer Neuwald ([email protected]). Double check with them as we approach the deadline to confirm they have submitted this!
Travel & Training Grant Application Submission
Graduate Assistantships
LIFE 102/103 Graduate Teaching Assistantship
Deadline: Last Friday of October for Spring positions; First Friday of March for Fall positions
We accept applications from current GDPE students for LIFE102/103 Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) for Fall and Spring positions. The course assignment will depend on the background and qualifications of the candidate, as well as where help is needed most.
Qualifications
Candidates will be evaluated based on:
- Demonstrated financial need
- Successful progress toward a MS or PhD degree
- Ability to teach undergraduate core Life Science labs in the Biology Department
Students with clearly demonstrated need and/or who are near the end of their academic training are given priority, followed by students who have not received this position in the past. All interested students who are currently enrolled in the program are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Please submit the relevant components below:
- Application Form
Will include a brief Statement of Interest and justification of Financial Need. Name your file using the format: Lastname_Firstname_GDPE LIFE 102/103 Application - Letter of Support from your major advisor (sent separately)
Ask your major advisor to email a letter of support to Dr. Jennifer Neuwald ([email protected]). Double check with them as we approach the deadline to confirm they have submitted this!
LIFE 102/103 GTA Application Submission
ECOL Teaching Fellowship
Deadlines: Last Friday of October for Spring position (one available);
First Friday of March for Fall positions (two available)
The purpose of this program is to provide opportunities for more senior GDPE students to gain meaningful graduate-level teaching experience in advanced ecology courses. Our two fall position are for ECOL 505 (Foundations of Ecology) and ECOL 610 (Ecosystem Ecology). Our one spring position is for ECOL 600 (Community Ecology). Note that these are one-semester teaching awards that cover tuition (but not fees) and provide a stipend of ca. $2330 per month along for 4.5 months with standard GTA benefits. Students selected for the GDPE Teaching Fellows Program should be interested in careers that include pedagogy at the graduate level. Thus, a key outcome for students selected for a GDPE Teaching Fellowship will be enhanced professional training and demonstrated experience in delivering graduate-level content to students
Qualifications
The criteria for selection of GDPE Teaching Fellowships are as follows:
- A senior GDPE PhD student, preferably having already passed the qualifying exam.
- A knowledge base and skill set that will positively impact the specific graduate-level course
As a condition of the program, a student may not receive a GDPE Teaching Fellowship for more than one course per year, nor for more than a total of 2 courses over the student’s PhD training period. The aim of this program is to provide opportunities for the most qualified students from across the GDPE. Thus, the program is open to all GDPE PhD students.
How to Apply
Please submit the relevant components below:
- A short (1 page) cover letter indicating:
(1) the reasons for your interest in being a GDPE Teaching Fellow.
(2) your qualifications for participating in this course
(3) your “GDPE status”
(# years in the GDPE program, advisor, date you passed your qualifying exams, a list of GDPE courses taken, and a list of any other pertinent ecology courses completed but not at CSU) - A short (2-page max) CV
Name your combined cover letter and CV using the format: Lastname_Firstname_GDPE_ECOLFellowship.doc
ECOL Teaching Fellowship Application Submission
Science Communication Fellowship
Open Call – Deadline: April 17, 2025
We periodically hire a GDPE graduate student to serve as the Science Communication Fellow and Program Assistant. (The frequency of calls for applications is based on funding and program needs.)
The fellow will work on science communication projects on behalf of GDPE with an eye towards ensuring the sustainability of any new projects initiated. Please see below for a list of established duties and potential other activities that include both science communication and program support for GDPE.
For any questions you may have about the position or applying, please contact our current Science Communication Fellow.
Expectations
The “Sci Com” fellow is expected to spend about half their time supporting the program, and the rest developing science communication projects that the fellow is interested in. We encourage working with other GDPE students to develop projects. Several duties (e.g. working on the website, digest and fliers for talks) are both program support and science communication.
This is a half-time (20 hour/week) GSA (Graduate Support Assistant) one-semester position, which is paid comparably to a GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistant) and covers in-state tuition up to 5 credit hours (depending upon availability of funding). There is a possibility of renewal for a second semester depending upon the needs of the program, performance, and the availability and interest of the student.
Work as a student hourly during semesters when funding is not available for a full GSA is also a possibility.
Expected Duties
- Work on the GDPE webpages with the Admin staff using WordPress
- Attend monthly Executive Committee meetings and weekly staff meeting
- Contribute regularly to our social media accounts (Blue Sky and LinkedIn)
- Attend and photograph events
- Prepare the Weekly Digest using Constant Contact
- Offer 1-2 workshops or other projects/semester – these could be new ideas of yours, or from one of the lists below, or some combination
- Update the SciComm Handbook
- Create flyers and other materials for advertising GDPE events
- Prepare the Annual Report for the program in collaboration with other staff members
Past Activities
- Youtube Video series
- LinkedIn workshop
- GDPE Laugh & Learn Comedy Night
- Career panels featuring GDPE alumni in diverse career paths
- Infographics workshop
- Workshop on how to conduct effective outreach for K-12
- Hired/mentored undergraduate intern (paid/unpaid)
- Created/updated GDPE promotional video
- Created/updated FRSES promotional video
- Alumni newsletters
- GDPE highlighted researcher/student
Possible Activities
- Publish SOURCE Articles
- Edit current materials (video, student resources, website)
- Develop other ideas from the fellow and/or gathered from GDPE grad students and faculty
- Arrange GDPE & CSU Writes Workshop Series
- Develop rapport/coordination with different GDPE Colleges/Departments
- Developing a GDPE presence in The Conversation
Qualifications
The criteria for selection of GDPE Science Communication Fellow are as follows:
- A GDPE student in their second semester or later. Our program will likely only be able to cover a maximum of 6 tuition credits, depending upon availability of funds (see call for applications for more details).
- Knowledge and skillset to meet the expected duties of the position.
Students pursuing a career in Science Communication are given preference when selecting a fellow.
How to Apply
Please submit the relevant components below:
- A cover letter (maximum two pages)
a. describe your interest or experience in science communication and ideas or projects you are excited to pursue
b. please address the “Expected duties” above, indicating the experience or ideas you have as relevant
c. please tell us what other funding opportunities you are applying to (for us to be efficient in allocating funding to as many students as possible across the different calls and opportunities) - A 2-page max CV
Submit your combined cover letter and CV using the format Lastname_Firstname_GDPE_SciComm.doc - Letter of Support from your major advisor (uploaded separately)
Please submit a PDF of an email sent to you from your advisor approving your application for the position (just to avoid possible misunderstandings)