Dr. Albert & Ethel Ogden Geosciences Research Fellowship

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The Dr. Albert & Ethel Ogden Geosciences Research Fellowship was created to encourage and foster academic study and research in cave and karst-related geosciences. This fellowship aims to support the research careers of undergraduate and graduate students and advance their work in this specialized field. The Fellowship will be awarded to qualified individuals or teams who are members of the NSS by the time the proposal is submitted for research-support in geosciences branches of study. This included, but is not limited to geology, hydrogeology, geomorphology, geochemistry, and geophysics, but could also fall into interdisciplinary fields that intersect with but also demonstrably advance the geosciences, such as geography, GIS, environmental science, or ecology. By accepting a grant, the recipient(s) also accepts his/her responsibility for acknowledging NSS financial support in all publications and public presentations of the research funded.

Eligibility Criteria 

  • Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled at a college or university. Domestic applicants receive priority consideration.
  • Student applicants must be NSS members.
  • Cave and karst research projects should focus on the geosciences, including (but not limited to) geology, hydrogeology, geomorphology, geochemistry, and geophysics, but could also fall into interdisciplinary fields that intersect with but also demonstrably advance the geosciences, such as geography, GIS, environmental science, or ecology.
  • Any researcher working on a NSS-funded project assumes the responsibility of complying with all local, state, and federal laws regarding research and collecting permits, anywhere in the world. Researchers will also comply with all ethical standards of their field dealing with issues of academic misconduct. We will also require that researchers adhere to the ethical standards regarding cave conservation as stated in NSS policies.

Copyright

Results of NSS-funded projects can be published in any outlet at the researcher(s) discretion. The NSS reserves the right to publicize the abstracts of those research proposals the NSS has funded in any of its publications and/or electronic outlets such as the NSS News, the Journal of Karst and Cave Studies, and the NSS web pages.

Application Process

There are no application forms. Applicants are required to submit the following electronically:

  • A proposal containing a project description outlining the rationale or impact of the research on the intended research area(s) (maximum 1,000 words). 
  • A resume or CV including their NSS membership number.
  • A copy of the student transcript or letter from their institution indicating current enrollment and program.
  • A letter of recommendation from the Thesis or Research Advisor who will oversee the student’s project work.
  • A budget for the research project. Proposal budgets should indicate the amount and source of additional funding received or requested.

Proposals should be sent to the NSS Research Advisory Committee at Chair of the RAC, electronically where possible (Word or Adobe Acrobat file preferred).

Deadlines

Proposals may be submitted at any time. The Research Advisory Committee will make funding decisions twice annually, in January and June. Proposals may be submitted at any time, but must be received at least one month in advance (by December 1 or May 1) to be considered. 

 For the inaugural year (2026), the first award deadline has been extended to June 1st, 2026 for a July decision.

The total annual Fellowship award amount is $1500 or less.

Reporting Requirements

Grant recipients are required to submit a progress report within one year of receiving the fellowship that includes a description of the project outcome or status and how the funds have been spent. Additionally, they must actively promote their research by participating in one or more of the following:

  • Delivering a presentation at a conference or the NSS Convention
  • Publishing an article in the NSS News
  • Being party to or leading published research, with a final copy submitted to the NSS Research Advisory Committee (RAC). Grantees should send the RAC Chair a copy of any publication(s) derived from work funded by the NSS.
  • Submitting an article to the Journal of Cave & Karst Studies or a similar deliverable approved by the RAC.

 

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