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The Kurt Gottschalk Science Fund

The Kurt Gottschalk Science Fund supports projects that develop and disseminate scientific findings and new technology, and facilitate science-informed management for foresters and natural resource professionals. 

We are no longer accepting proposals for 2022 and will open the 2023 proposal submission process later this year. 

About Kurt Gottschalk: Kurt W. Gottschalk, a research scientist with the USDA Forest Service, was passionate about making the connection between applied research and forest management. He had long service to SAF and mentored many young professionals, helping to develop a next generation of leaders. Kurt Gottschalk passed away in 2015 and the SAF Science Fund was re-named in his honor.

Give to the Science Fund  

Goals of the fund are to:

• Conduct and/or support continuing education activities and the transfer of knowledge.
• Promote collaboration and relationships among SAF entities and with external groups.
• Recruit and engage diverse leadership in forestry and natural resource professions.
• Conduct and/or support applied forestry research that has potential to inform management practice.

Available Grants

• Regular Grants (up to $2,500) to support projects that meet at least two of the goals of the fund.
• Special Grants (up to $5,000) for demonstrably outstanding projects that achieve at least three of the goals of the fund or that actively span across two or more SAF Working Groups (WG) or WGs and State Societies, or WGs of multiple professional societies

Project Proposal Requirements

• Complete applications include an information form,  proposal, and budget form. 

• Letter(s) of support from a SAF WG Chair, a State Society Science/Technology Chair, or a Forest Science and Technology Board (FSTB) Subject Area Representative. Proposals will not be considered unless there is at least one letter of support. The letter must include a discussion of the expected benefits of doing the project.

Eligibility 

• Any SAF member, representing either an SAF unit or an external entity, who is the designated project manager is eligible to submit a proposal.
• A grant secured in the first year of a multi-year project is not a guarantee of future grants from the fund in later years of the same project.
• Projects that have already been completed are not eligible.
• Proposals received after a review period deadline will be eligible for consideration in the next cycle.

Grant Completion

Projects should be completed within 1, and where appropriate, up to 2 years of the application date. The FSTB may elect to approve funding for multiple years when needed. A report summarizing the project results (or progress) and how grant funds were used is due upon project completion. Unused funds must be returned to SAF when the project is completed or if the project is not completed.

Proposal Review

Grant proposals will be evaluated against a variety of criteria, including:

• How well the project meets the fund goals
• Completion of application and narrative includes adequate context
• Budget is appropriate and leveraged support is clearly identified
• Project engages partnerships, collaborations, or diverse audiences
• Project outcomes are achievable within the timeline identified

Use of Funding

Proposals must meet two or more of the Fund's goals and can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Continuing education activities including conferences, panels at convention, field tours, and workshops
• Collaborative efforts such as joint conferences, applied research cooperation between groups and agencies, and interdisciplinary collaboration conference sessions or articles in SAF publications
• Activities that foster leadership and/or broaden SAF's membership base and/or audience/image

• Applied forestry research that has potential to inform management practice, literature reviews, and/or seed money for collecting preliminary data to develop a larger proposal or complete or enhance prior research efforts

Science Fund is not designed to fund:

• Professional salaries
• Office supplies or overhead
• Fund will support up to 50% of the cost for technical/analytical equipment (e.g., computers, field equipment, software).

Decisions and Fund Dispersal

Grant funds must be received and managed by an appropriate entity – e.g., a university/department grants office, State Society treasurer, or agency fiscal office. Requests for exceptions will be reviewed on a case by case basis.  Approved grant funds will generally be made available within 60 days of notification that the proposal has been accepted and funds awarded.

Proposal Elements

Proposals must include full explanations of the following:

Summary of Project 

A brief project summary that captures the goals, methods, and final products of the project. 

Objectives

A clear statement of the specific objectives of the project and how they meet the goals of the Kurt Gottschalk Science Fund.

Methods

A detailed description of the specific steps that will be used to accomplish the stated objectives.

Products

A clear statement of the anticipated final product(s) of the project.

Recognition

A description of how SAF will be credited for funding the project.

Budget

Provide an overall project budget and detailed list of items or services for which the requested funds will be spent.  Project collaborators or in-kind support should be listed.

Project Duration

Project completion dates should typically be within 1 to 2 years of the date of the grant application.

Deadlines

Proposals are due February 15 for:

• Regular Grants (up to $2500) for projects that meet at least two goals of the fund.
• Special Grants (up to $5,000) for demonstrably outstanding projects that achieve at least three goals of the fund or that actively span across two or more SAF entities or Working Groups of multiple professional societies.

How to Submit Your Proposal

The proposal and associated forms should be submitted to Amy Juliana, the SAF Science and Technology Manager at [email protected] 

Additional Information & Application