Center for Tropical Forest Science seeks proposals under Grants Program from social and natural scientists and researchers to use its existing plots for research

The Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is a global network of forest research plots committed to the study of tropical and temperate forest function and diversity. The multi-institutional network comprises more than forty forest research plots across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe, with a strong focus on tropical regions. CTFS monitors the growth and survival of about 3.5 million trees of approximately 7,500 species.

The CTFS Grants Program invites senior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students to use existing CTFS plots to conduct research with scientists affiliated with them. Social scientists and natural scientists are encouraged to apply.

Grants are awarded annually. Submissions are accepted yearly. Decisions are taken approximately three months after the deadline.

Projects supported under CTFS Grants Program?

Anyone working directly in a CTFS plot, analyzing plot data, identifying plants or animals in a plot, or generating complementary data that strengthens CTFS programs is eligible to apply. Projects can be field-oriented, herbarium- or laboratory-based, or analytical. Research projects can be either basic or applied in nature. Social scientists and natural scientists are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

The CTFS Grants Program is open to all researchers, from graduate students to senior scientists. In some cases, advanced undergraduates will also be considered. Preference will be given to scientists in the countries with CTFS sites and to all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply.

Grants

The majority of the CTFS research grants will be in the $3,000-$30,000 range. The CTFS Grants Program will make awards for projects three months to three years in length.

Grant proposal

Funding is restricted to expenses directly related to field research, laboratory research, and data analysis. Examples of eligible expenses include travel, living expenses during fieldwork, supplies, research assistance, and resulting publications. Funds are not available for salary and/or fringe benefits of applicant, tuition, nonproject personnel, or travel to meetings. In addition, the grants program will NOT support indirect costs for institutional support.

Deadline for submitting the proposals is October 1, 2011.

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