Werner and Hildegard Hesse Research Award in Ornithology

The Werner and Hildegard Hesse Graduate Research Award for research in field ornithology.

Background

The UBC Biodiversity Research Centre and Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences share the honor of administering the Graduate research awards endowed via a generous bequest by Werner Hans Herman Hesse in support graduate students engaged in ornithological research on wild birds. Werner and Hildegard Hesses’ passion for wild birds was sparked in night classes on the ecology and conservation of birds at UBC and led them to become leaders in amateur ornithology. The Hesses conducted bird surveys in the Canadian arctic, compiled BC’s Christmas Bird Counts for over 20 years, and developed a special concern for the harmful effects of human development on bird habitats and populations. The Hesses delighted in funding ornithological research and, particularly, contributing to the long-term monitoring of population change in seabirds of the Pacific Coast. The UBC Zoology Department is responsible for administering the Hesse Undergraduate Research Award.

 

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Eligibility

Funds are available for UBC graduate students to conduct field research on the CONSERVATION, ECOLOGY OR EVOLUTION of wild birds. Graduate students of any department at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver campus) are eligible to apply.  A maximum award of $12,000 is available to cover research and/or stipend expenses (typically multiple smaller awards are allocated).

Undergraduate students in the UBC Faculty of Science are invited to apply for a grant for summer research in ornithology, as established by the terms of a bequest from Werner and Hildegard Hesse. The Hesses were dedicated observers and conservationists of birds in their natural environment, conducting bird surveys in such places as the Canadian Arctic and the coast of British Columbia, and they were passionate about encouraging ornithological research. We are grateful for their commitment to undergraduate education in ornithology at UBC.  Each year, multiple awards may be given, depending on the quality of applications and the requested amounts of funding. Approximately $6,000-$10,000 of funding is available this year. This award is available to cover stipend expenses.The UBC Zoology Department is responsible for administering the Hesse Undergraduate Research Award.

Application Deadline (Grads February 15th, Undergrads February 15th)

Graduate Award Deadline is February 15th: All supporting materials should be submitted as a single file in PDF format to katie.beall@ubc.ca by the application deadline of February 15th. Letters of support can be submitted separately but must be received by the application deadline February 15th. Announcement of Awards: by March 15. 

Undergraduate Award Deadline extended to February 15th : All supporting materials should be submitted as a single file in PDF format to zadmin@zoology.ubc.ca by the application deadline of February 15th. The UBC Zoology Department is responsible for administering the Hesse Undergraduate Research Award. DEADLINE extended to February 15th.

Application Guidelines for Awards

A complete application will include:

 


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