Morgenthaler-Chiariello Grants for Research

Morgenthaler-Chiariello Grants for Research

Betsy Morgenthaler has served Jasper Ridge as a docent since 1992.  She is a founding member of the Coordinating Council and a leader in Jasper Ridge education, research, and community programs for more than three decades. Through her long involvement with the preserve, Betsy saw an unmet need for small grants to support field research, particularly by postdocs.  She also wanted to recognize the more than three decades of service to Jasper Ridge and the Jasper Ridge community by Nona Chiariello.  Nona’s long career at Jasper Ridge supported many aspects of the preserve’s mission.  She was especially focused on facilitating investigator-initiated research by investigators from all disciplines and career stages.

The following information explains the application requirements and process.

Eligibility

Funds from the Morgenthaler-Chiariello Grants are available to Stanford postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates from any department or program for approved studies conducted at the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (′Ootchamin ′Ooyakma).  Because several other small-grant programs provide funding for students, the Morgenthaler-Chiariello Grants will prioritize post-docs. Proposals describing new research within the Preserve can be reviewed simultaneously for grant support and for the appropriateness of the research.

Funds

Funds may be requested for equipment, supplies, field assistant, or other expenses directly associated with field research at Jasper Ridge. Budgets up to $7,000 will be considered. Funds may be used only for purchases made after the approval date of the grant, not for reimbursement of earlier expenses. Any unexpended funds at the end of the project or after completion of the Stanford tenure or degree revert back to the grant program.

Mentoring

Among Nona Chiariello’s contributions to Jasper Ridge was a commitment to mentoring, especially mentoring in the field. Applicants for the Morgenthaler-Chiariello Grants are eligible for additional funding of $1,000 if they submit a one-page mentoring plan for an undergraduate or graduate student working with them. The undergraduate mentoring plan should delineate specific actions and mentoring goals that the applicant will co-develop with the student researcher over the duration of the project.

Equipment Requests

Requests for equipment should not duplicate items already available from the Jasper Ridge equipment library. After completion of the study, any equipment purchased with grant funds will become part of the Jasper Ridge equipment library.

Proposals consist of an: 

• Abstract
• Project DescriptionThe project description should not exceed five pages, and if applicable, an additional page for the mentorship plan
• Literature Cited
• Timetable
• Budget for the funds requestedItemized budget should include links to each item with per item cost, quantity per item, shipping/handling, taxes, etc.

Submission and Review

Applications may be submitted at any time. For any questions on the process or to submit a proposal, please contact Adriana Hernandez, Associate Director of Research. Proposals will be reviewed by one or more Stanford faculty members other than the postdoctoral researcher’s advisor/faculty sponsor or graduate student's advisor.