Lester Scholarships
Lester Grants
Turner Grants
Emory College Grants
Study Abroad Grants

James G. Lester Grants for Research, Travel, Field Study

The Department of Environmental Studies offers a variety of grants for students of earth sciences who are majoring/minoring in environmental studies.  Applicants for all these awards must have completed ENVS 131 and 132 (or Oxford College equivalents) to be eligible for consideration.  The emphasis of these programs is on research and fieldwork.

Research Grants

ENVS promotes undergraduate research projects through grants, faculty-student research partnerships, and summer research stipends, offering advantages to both students and faculty. Undergraduate researchers assist faculty in accomplishing ambitious research and allow faculty to work with self-motivated, developing scholars. Students bring fresh insights and energy to both teaching and research, creating an even more dynamic intellectual community.

ENVS research grants, generally awarded to third- and fourth-year students, support independent research and scholarly projects. These grants provide research support for independent projects related to students' academic work, whether for a course, an honors project, or independent work under the supervision of a faculty mentor.

To apply for the grant:

There are two ways to apply Lester Grant funding. (1) The preferred method is to apply through the SIRE grant program. Selection of successful applicants will be made by the Environmental Studies Department. The application form will ask that you indicate your interest in being considered for this special grant.  Emory College SIRE program grants are available to any Emory College undergraduate student in good academic standing. Eligible students will be considered for both Lester Grant funding and for regular SIRE grants, with some awards including grants from both.  The total combined funding from both sources cannot exceed $2500.  If additional funds are required for the research project, the applicant can request supplemental funds from the Lester fund administrators in the Environmental Studies Department. If the applicant is unsuccessful in obtaining a SIRE grant, but receives a Lester grant, the ENVS department may supply additional funds to the students.  (2) The second way to apply for Lester funds would typically occur between funding cycle deadlines for SIRE grants. Students should submit a research proposal and a letter of recommendation from their faculty mentor in the Environmental Studies Department. The SIRE link is:

http://www.college.emory.edu/current/achievement/SIRE/index.html

Students proposing projects involving international travel may apply for a supplemental grant from the Institute for Comparative and International Study as part of the SIRE grant application.  The CIPA supplemental grants mean that the total funding for international projects may be $4000.  Additional information about other funding opportunities is also available from the Center for International Programs Abroad.

Field Course Grants

A field course is a requirement for a degree in Environmental Studies. Many of these courses require travel expenses in addition to tuition costs. Field course cost relief generally compensates ½ of the additional cost of the field course (above and beyond tuition). Students awarded a field course grant are asked to complete their field course grant recipient responsibilities by submitting a brief essay and at least two photographs describing their experiences. The essays and photos may be posted to the ENVS website.

Field course grants are available to students who have an ENVS GPA of 3.0 or greater.  Each applicant should submit:

• a statement of interest letter (1-2 pages) that outlines how the field course relates to the student’s overall ENVS concentration.
• The student should also submit a letter of support from one ENVS faculty member.  Where possible, the letter should come from the instructor in the field course.
• the specific amount of funding requested with a statement justifying the request.

Applications are taken on a rolling basis. Submit statement of interest and faculty letter to the ENVS program coordinator, the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Math & Science Center, Rm. E520.

Travel Grants for Conferences

Each year, ENVS provides support for undergraduates who are presenting their research at professional conferences in their field. The decision to fund students is based on the quality of student proposals, overall academic records, and recommendations from faculty mentors.  Preference will be given to students making presentations at the conference. Applications for funding are accepted on a rolling basis, and students may receive up to $500 in funds to cover travel costs. Generally, ENVS funds should be matched by funds provided through other programs at Emory or principal investigators. (If this is not possible, the letter from the faculty mentor needs to include an explanation.)  The SIRE program provides some funding for conferences, and may be a source of matching funds.  Please see the SIRE website for information on applying for those funds:

http://www.college.emory.edu/current/achievement/research/SIRE/presentations.html

To apply, the student needs to provide the following information in a proposal:

• What is the conference the student will attend?
• What type of presentation will the student make?
• Why is this experience of value to the student's educational goals?
• A detailed budget of estimated costs, and information on other funding the student has received or is applying to receive.

In addition, the student needs to request a letter of support from his/her faculty mentor. This letter should come from the faculty mentor who has overseen the student's research project, and is familiar with both the research and the conference the student seeks to attend. In the letter, the mentor should discuss the student's research, their academic performance generally, and the nature of the conference at which he/she will be presenting. Information on matching funding from other sources or the mentor is also requested.

These materials should be submitted to the Environmental Studies Department, Math & Science Center, Suite E510, Rm. E520 and labeled with the student's name and "Request for Conference Funding." Applications should be made no later than one month prior to conference date.

In most cases, students who receive an ENVS Conference Grant are reimbursed for their expenses after the conference. Students will need to submit original receipts for their approved travel expenses. However, ENVS can purchase airline tickets for students or can transfer funds to mentor research accounts for expenses paid by the faculty mentor.

Contact the Undergraduate Degree Program Coordinator at 404-727-9504.