Research Grant Program

To support its mission of increasing and disseminating knowledge of cacti and succulents, TCSS has established a research grant program to help fund research.

Research Grant Program Guidelines and Proposal Instructions

Research Grant Proposal Outline (.doc file)

Background and Scope

• TCSS is a non-profit organization whose mission is educating, teaching and learning about cacti and other succulent plants.
• TCSS is establishing a Research Grant program as an adjunct to the ongoing Education Outreach Program.
• Research projects must involve cactus and/or other succulents and be consistent with the TCSS Mission.
• Projects shall generally be up to one year in duration.
• Grants will be in the range of $1000 - $2000.
• TCSS encourages projects that are co-funded by other organizations as a way to facilitate larger projects.

Grant Proposal Requirements

• Proposal should be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word, rich text, or pdf format.
• Proposal must clearly define the purpose and methods of the project.
• A specific budget must be provided, including details of labor, travel, and other expenses, and a schedule of planned expenditures.
• No grant funds shall be used for major equipment procurement.
• The project must produce a tangible result, (e.g., a published paper, a report or a presentation).
• Travel in private vehicles will be reimbursed at $0.43/mile, and the maximum per diem allowance for meals while traveling as part of a grant is $50/day.
• Three paper copies and one electronic copy of any publications that result from the research must be provided to TCSS.
• The project must provide a means for status or progress reporting appropriate to the scope and duration of the project.
• If the TCSS Grant is to be co-funded, there must be a clear definition of the portion of the project to be funded by the TCSS grant, how it relates to the larger project, and how the TCSS piece meets these guidelines. If it is combined, the time period of one year may be extended to two years.
• Download the research grant proposal outline in .doc format.

Acknowledgment and Intellectual Property

• Support by the TCSS Grant shall be acknowledged in any papers, reports, and/or presentations.
• The grant recipient, or his/her parent organization, shall grant to TCSS ownership (co-ownership if co-funded) of any intellectual property resulting from projects funded by the TCSS Research Grant.

Process

• Research Grant Requests should be submitted by July 1 to: research (AT) TucsonCactus.org
• Grants received by July 1 will be reviewed by a review team and recommendations made to the TCSS Board for approval or denial.
• Grants received after July 1 will be held for review in the following year.
• Grant requester will be notified of the Board decision by October 1.
• Pre-proposals may be submitted for determination of suitability for funding if desired.
• A portion of the grant funding (up to 20%) will be withheld until the project is completed and the final product is provided to TCSS.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

• Benefits of project to TCSS members and southern Arizonans. (30%)
• Experience of researchers in the area. (30%)
• Estimated difficulty of project/probability of successful outcome. (10%)
• Prior experience of TCSS with principal investigators. (20%)
• Building on or complementing other research. (10%)
• Co-funding or funding in kind by other organizations. (up to 20% bonus)

Examples of Research Areas Suitable for TCSS Funding

• Population characteristics of relatively unstudied cactus and succulent species in southern Arizona.
• Effects of population growth, economic development, drought, climate change, or other environmental factors on cactus and succulent populations in southern Arizona.
• Historic native uses of Sonoran cacti and succulents.
• Potential medicinal uses for Sonoran plants.
• Value of Sonoran plant diversity.
• Cultivation techniques for Sonoran cacti and succulents.
• Symbiotic relationships among Sonoran plant and animal species.

Contact Info for Further Information

For further information, contact Gerald Pine by email at: research@TucsonCactus.org