CNPS Student Research Grants Program

CNPS Student Research Grants Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: California Native Plant Society
Amount: US $300 - US $1,500
Last Updated: September 14, 2025

Summary

The CNPS Student Research Grants Program supports research on California's native flora, aiming to protect these vital plants and their habitats. Founded in 1983, it encourages diverse applicants, including underrepresented groups in science. Grants are awarded based on alignment with CNPS's mission and the significance of the research in areas like conservation and ecology. The program honors several awards, including the Doc Burr and Hardman Native Plant Research Awards, to promote innovative botanical studies.

Overview

Background Applications are evaluated on the basis of their ability to advance the California Native Plant Society’s mission of protecting California’s native plants and their natural habitats, now and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy. Successfully funded projects will relate to topics that intersect with California native plants and expand on information gaps within the natural and social sciences, including but not limited to conservation, botany, ecology, land management, horticulture, communications, economics, history, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, or other cultural connections to native plants. CNPS is committed to increasing ways for people of all backgrounds to deepen their relationships with California native plants. Individuals from groups underrepresented in the natural and social sciences are strongly encouraged to apply (including, but not limited to, people who identify as female, non-binary, transgender, queer, gay, lesbian, gender non-conforming, Black, Indigenous, person of color, disabled, first-generation college student, or low socioeconomic status). CNPS student grants The CNPS Student Research Grants Program was created in 1983 to award funds to students and researchers studying California’s native flora. The funds have been made possible through the generosity of several major donors, some of whom are anonymous, in honor of some of our Society’s most dedicated members and leaders. The Student Research Grants Committee determines which type of grant is appropriate for each proposal funded. The Doc Burr Grants The Doc Burr Graduate Research Fund was established in 1983 to honor Horace K. “Doc” Burr, a founder and CNPS fellow and director at large for many years. Doc Burr grants are awarded to graduate students conducting research that promotes conservation of California’s flora and vegetation. The Hardman Native Plant Research Award Established in 1994, in honor of Gertrude R. Hardman, who was for years involved with the Botany Club of the Academy of Science in San Francisco, this grant was initiated by Doris Hoover. We offer the Hardman Native Plant Research Award for promising academic and applied botanical research involving California’s native plants, especially rare plants. For this grant, we also welcome research leading to elimination of invasive exotic plants from the state’s flora. Natalie Hopkins Award Established in 2007, this grant honors Natalie Hopkins, lifelong supporter and mentor of women in plant sciences and 2nd president of the Santa Clara Chapter of CNPS. Natalie Hopkins Awards are given to women students and researchers pursuing native plant studies. The Helen Sharsmith Grants Established in 1983 by Carl Sharsmith, this award pays memorial tribute to his wife, Helen, the author of The Flora of the Mount Hamilton Range. We award Helen Sharsmith grants to students or non-students involved in research on California’s native flora. The G. Ledyard Stebbins Award CNPS established the Stebbins Award in 1986 to honor Dr. Stebbins for his many years of dedication to the Society and to students of genetics and evolutionary botany. Each year one Stebbins Award may be given to a graduate student for an outstanding proposal for research in evolutionary botany.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Must be a researcher studying California’s native flora. Applicants may be undergraduates, graduates, post-docs, or non-students. Project must be consistent with the mission and vision of the CNPS.