2024-25 Program

Rausser College of Natural Resources is committed to supporting Indigenous environmental studies and strengthening our engagement with Indigenous partners and Tribal communities. In 2024-25, we are pleased to pilot a small grants program, with philanthropic support from alum John Swift. This fund will provide mini-grants focused on Indigenous environmental issues broadly defined, to support participation in applied research and extension, internship opportunities, travel to conferences, academic publishing fees, and other research activities. UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students who are conducting research projects on issues affecting Indigenous communities are eligible to apply. Priority will go to those conducting research in partnership with recognized or unrecognized Tribes or Native American-serving organizations in what is now the United States. Students with lived experiences or existing relationships with the communities where they are conducting research are especially encouraged to apply. 

UC Berkeley students can apply for two grants with one application: the Rausser College of Natural Resources (RCNR) small grant program for students doing projects on Indigenous environmental issues and the Joseph A. Myers Center for Research on Native American Issues small grant program for students doing research on any topic in Native American communities in the United States.

The application materials include a description of your project, contact information for any Indigenous or community partner organization(s), a budget, and a form signed by a faculty/staff mentor. We anticipate most awards will be ≤ $3000, though larger requests will be considered if well justified. Proposals should clearly indicate how the award will advance the student’s academic progress, and contribute to meeting the needs and/or priorities of Indigenous communities. Students are expected to abide by all Tribal research and/or community engagement protocols to ensure the protection of Tribal knowledge, data and cultural resources.

Eligible expenses include: research travel (including housing and food); housing and/or travel for out-of-town internships; summer stipends to cover applicant’s living expenses; research and field supplies; gift cards for participation in surveys or events; meeting registration and travel; publication expenses; hiring student research assistants; venue rental and food for events. Requests for honoraria or participant support for external partners should be discussed in advance of submission to ensure feasibility. Undergraduates requesting stipend support should be aware that this may impact their financial aid eligibility, and should check with a Cal Student Central Advisor regarding their unique financial aid package.

Travel advances may be possible to cover in-country expenses for international projects/research. Unfortunately, gift funds cannot be regranted to a third party, e.g., an NGO on the ground you may be working with on your research project.  If you have questions about allowable expenses in your budget please reach out to Lee Borrowman, Assistant Dean of Administration, Rausser College of Natural Resources, at ltaj@berkeley.edu PRIOR to submission and cc the chair of the committee, Jennifer Sowerwine at jsowerwi@berkeley.edu.

Funds awarded to graduate students are transferred to faculty portfolios to manage; if the project sponsor is not a faculty member, they do have to be willing to provide a chart string and be responsible for managing the funds. Funding awards will include an end date, after which unspent funds will be returned, unless prior arrangements are made.

Proposal deadline

November 18, 2024.  Awards will be announced by Dec. 16, 2024. Funds should be expended by December 31, 2025.

Students who are awarded a grant will be invited (but not required) to give a brief presentation on their work at an event to be held Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 3:30-4:30pm as part of the ESPM colloquium series. 

Questions should be directed to: Jennifer Sowerwine at jsowerwi@berkeley.edu. 

Application Process

Access the online form and submit your application here.

All applications must include the following materials: 

  • Section I: Applicant Information and information about your Indigenous community or other community organization partner, if applicable.
  • Section II:
    • ​Abstract (up to 250 words; if selected this will go on our website and other communications);
    • Description of your project (up to 1,000 words), including:
      • ​Goals and expected outcomes 
      • How the project will contribute to existing UC partnerships with Tribes or Indigenous communities, and/or advance Tribal goals and priorities
      • How the project will advance your academic career, thesis, and/or future career development
    • Timeline (up to 250 words) 
  • Section III: Budget and Explanation of Budget (see sample here)
  • Section IV: Protection of Human Subjects Compliance (if relevant)
  • Section V: Curriculum Vitae or Resumé
  • Section VI: Signed Mentor Agreement Form