Research and Education Grants-in-Aid Program (MSU)

Program Purpose

The Berryman Institute (housed at Utah State University and Mississippi State University) is a nationally recognized institute whose mission is to support and conduct competitive, effective, science-based research and outreach programs aimed at addressing issues pertaining to wildlife damage management and resolving human-wildlife conflicts. To achieve this goal, Berryman Institute (Eastern Unit) housed at Mississippi State University has developed a program to financially support research and education programs conducted in the eastern region of the United States (see delineation on map) that address these issues. Similar opportunities may exist at Berryman Institute (Western Unit) housed at Utah State University.

All proposals will be reviewed and ranked by an outside panel. The BI directors, however, reserve the right to reject any proposal that is outside of the mission of the BI or the USDA/Wildlife Services' National Needs Assessment, is not science-based, engages in advocacy, or does not comply with the required format. All BI grants are awarded on a federal fiscal year and must be spent between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010. If an extension is granted on the Berryman Institute primary agreement, an extension through September 30, 2011 will be offered to subcontractors.

Research and Education Programs

All Berryman grants are awarded on the federal fiscal year and must be spent by September 30,2010. All grants are awarded in one-year increments. If an extension is granted on the Berryman Institute’s primary agreement with the sponsor, a one-year no-cost extension (through September 30, 2011) will be offered to funded researchers. Funded researchers may request additional funding for one additional year by reapplying. No proposal will be funded for more than two consecutive years. No proposal will be funded in more than one category, i.e., only one type of funding will be awarded for each individual proposal, so the most critical type of funding for a project should be considered and the application submitted accordingly. All grant awards are conditional upon availability of funds. All grants are cost reimbursable, i.e., organizations receiving grants will be reimbursed for allowable costs once the funds are expended and the Berryman Institute is invoiced. Invoices may be submitted monthly for up to 75% of the grant amount. The final 25% of the grant will not be reimbursed until all deliverables (e.g., reports, photos, etc.) are submitted.

Under the terms of the Berryman Institute’s primary agreement, employees of USDA/APHIS are not eligible for funding. There are five programs available to individuals or groups to support research and education in the field of human-wildlife interactions. These are:

Faculty Affiliates

Berryman Institute (Eastern Unit) will provide up to $6,600 of an individual's salary (not to exceed 10% of total salary), including fringe benefits (not to exceed 25% of salary), for faculty conducting a research or education program in wildlife damage management. These individuals will be listed as Berryman Faculty Affiliates. Faculty affiliates may be employees of a university, or a state, federal, or private conservation organization. Faculty affiliate support is for a one year period, but may be renewed for one additional year. An annual report of significant findings for research or a detailed summary of the education program including products (videotape, CD, etc.) will be the required deliverable. Fringe benefits are in addition to grant amount, i.e., up to stated amount of grant, plus listed percentage available for fringes. Administrative and Facilities (overhead) costs will not be paid by the Berryman Institute.

Graduate Student Fellowships

Berryman Institute (Eastern Unit) will provide up to $15,000 towards a graduate stipend for a student who is conducting a research or developing an education program in wildlife damage management. These individuals will be listed as Berryman Graduate Fellows. Graduate Fellow support is for a one year period, but may be renewed for one additional year. The graduate student must be a currently enrolled student in a wildlife management/wildlife biology/wildlife ecology program and be in good standing with a GPA > 3.00. An annual report of significant findings for research, or a detailed summary of the education program, including products (videotape, CD, etc.), will be the required deliverable. Fringe benefits are in addition to grant amount, i.e., up to stated amount of grant, plus listed percentage available for fringes. Tuition or other fringe benefits exceeding 1% of the stipend may not be requested. Administrative and Facilities (overhead) costs will not be paid by Berryman Institute.

Undergraduate or Post-Graduate Internships

Berryman Institute (Eastern Unit) will provide up to $10,000 (plus up to 1% fringe benefits) towards the salary of an undergraduate or graduate student to work with a university, or a state, federal, or private conservation agency. The work experience must deal with an approved research or educational program concerning wildlife damage management. These individuals will be listed as a Berryman Institute Undergraduate/Graduate Intern. Internship support is limited to a one-year period, but may be renewed for one additional year. Each intern will be required to submit a report of his/her activities and their relation to achieving Berryman Institute goals as the required deliverable. Fringe benefits are in addition to grant amount, i.e., up to stated amount of grant, plus listed percentage available for fringes. Administrative and Facilities (overhead) costs will not be paid by Berryman Institute.

Research/Outreach Mini-grant

Berryman Institute (Eastern Unit) will provide up to $5,500 in support of research or educational activities being conducted by an university, or a state, federal, or private conservation agency concerning approved educational or research programs regarding wildlife damage management. Mini-grant support is for a one year period, but may be renewed for one additional year. These projects will be listed as Berryman Institute Research/Outreach Grants - Level I. The principal investigator(s) will be required to submit a report of his/her activities and their relation to achieving Berryman Institute goals as the required deliverable. Administrative and Facilities (overhead) costs will not be paid by Berryman Institute, but up to 1% fringe benefits will be allowed for salaries of workers. For these grants, principal investigator salaries and equipment costs will not be funded.

Educational enhancement grants

Berryman Institute (Eastern Unit) will provide up to $1,000 towards university/college (4-year) tuition costs, course fees, and books/course materials or up to $3,500 towards travel costs to relevant professional meetings for individuals desiring to enhance their educational backgrounds as part of their professional development.

Submitting a Proposal

Proposals must be submitted electronically via this website.

The deadline for submitting proposals for 2010 has past.

You will receive e-mail confirmation of your submission. If you do not receive an e-mail within 48 hours, please contact Laura Andrews (landrews@cfr.msstate.edu; 662-325-6694) to inquire about your submission.

Proposals will be reviewed and ranked by a scientific panel. Inquiries may be made to:

Laura Andrews
Assistant to the Director
Berryman Institute - East
Phone: 662-325-6694
E - mail: landrews@cfr.msstate.edu