$250,000 awarded for student research grants in 2009

US$250,000 will be available from the SEG Foundation and the SEG Canada Foundation for Student Grants in 2009. These grants provide support for graduate student research projects leading to Master’s or Doctoral degrees, and for exceptional BS Honors or “BS Titulo” projects. Individual grants typically range up to US$5,000, although up to $10,000 may be awarded for particularly meritorious projects. Students in mineral resource study programs throughout the world are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Grants will be awarded from the following funds:

Hugh E. McKinstry Fund. $150,000 will be available to support “study, research and teaching of the science of economic geology or for related projects,” including field or laboratory research by graduate students or geologists on study-leave from their employment.

Hickok-Radford Fund. $15,000 will be available to support field-based research projects and directly related laboratory studies as applied to metallic mineral deposits, with preference given to projects located in Alaska, northern Canada and other regions north of Latitude 60 North, or for projects at very high elevations elsewhere and extreme southern latitudes. Consideration will be given to an applicant’s record of extracurricular activities.

Newmont Mining Corporation Grants. $15,000 will be available to support several research projects worldwide related to the geology, mineralization and metallogeny of gold deposits. Emphasis is placed on research with a strong field component, with funding available for directly related laboratory work.

Hugo Dummett Mineral Discovery Fund. $10,000 will be available to support applied economic geology research, including the development of new exploration technology and techniques, and the dissemination of related results through publications, lectures, short courses, workshops and conferences.

Alberto Terrones L. Fund. $10,000 will be available to provide financial support to one or two qualifying students from Mexico, Peru, and other Latin American countries to pursue a graduate study program in applied economic geology or geological engineering while regularly enrolled at a MS or PhD degree-granting universities in the U.S. or Canada. The grants may be used for thesis research, university fees, living expenses while on campus, travel, or any other expense directly related to pursuing the graduate study program.

Timothy Nutt Memorial Fund. $1,000 will be available to provide financial support for geology students and young economic geologists located in Zimbabwe or in Southern Africa with ties to Zimbabwe. The fund may be used to support SEG student chapter activities, travel to meetings, field trips and for research or study grants, technical lectures or any other activities approved by the SEG Regional Vice President for Africa.

Society of Economic Geologists Canada Foundation Fund. C$40,000 will be available from this fund to support research studies by Canadian or non-Canadian students on mineral deposits or districts in Canada; non-Canadian projects at Canadian universities; non-Canadian students studying at Canadian universities, or Canadian students doing research at universities outside of Canada.

General Information:

• Awards are intended to fund specific expenses related to student research projects leading to advanced degrees or courses of study.
• Awards are competitive and based upon project merit and qualification of the applicant; priority funding will be given to field projects.
• Applicants must describe what the project is, why the research is important and how it is to be done.
• An estimate of expenses for the project must be included with the application.
• Grants are expected to be fully utilized by year-end.
• Grant recipients are required to provide a year-end accounting of how the funds were spent together with a suitable progress report or final abstract.
• Applicants requesting financial support from the Alberto Terrones L. fund for non-research expenses must include a statement describing the need and purpose of such request.
• Applications can be submitted for any one of the awards, but will be considered for all awards.

How to Apply:

The Student Research Grant Application consists of two parts:

1. The first part must be completed by the student, and emphasizes the topic, objectives, plans and budget for the proposed research, and the background of the applicant.
2. The second part (Appraisal of Applicant) is a required evaluation by a faculty member familiar with the applicant's qualifications and the significance of the research.

Five copies (original plus four copies) of the application must be submitted. The original plus four copies of the Appraisal of Applicant should be sealed in a separate envelope and mailed with the application (or may be sent separately).

APPLICATION FORM AT: http://www.segweb.org/students/GrantApp2009.pdf

Completed applications should be sent to:
Chair, Student Research Grants Committee
Society of Economic Geologists Foundation
7811 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton CO 80127-3732 U.S.A.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be postmarked no later than February 1, 2009
Inquiries may be directed to studentprograms@segweb.org
Awards will be announced by April 30, 2009