Culberson & Hale Grants for Field Research in Lichenology

Culberson & Hale Grants for Field Research in Lichenology

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Bryological and Lichenological Society
Amount: Up to US $1,000
Last Updated: February 04, 2026

Summary

The Culberson & Hale Grants for Field Research in Lichenology, offered by the American Bryological and Lichenological Society, provide up to $1,000 to support student field research in lichenology. This funding primarily assists with travel expenses but may also cover other essential costs. Established in 2015, these grants honor the contributions of William L. Culberson and Mason E. Hale, influential figures in lichenology, encouraging ongoing research in this important biological field.

Overview

Culberson & Hale Grants for Field Research in Lichenology The American Bryological and Lichenological Society (ABLS) is pleased to announce this year’s program to support student field research in lichenology. This award is made possible by generous donations provided to ABLS by Larry Giles of Duke University and others in honor of William (Bill) Culberson and Mason Hale, both of whom were committed to field-based research on the biology of lichens. Two awards of up to $1,000 each are available to support lichenology fieldwork by students. Funds are intended primarily to support travel associated with field work, but requests to cover other expenses essential to field work will be considered. Proposed fieldwork may focus on any area of lichenology, including systematics, evolution, genetics, physiology, or ecology. Background William L. Culberson (1929-2003) and Mason E. Hale (1928-1990) were graduate students together, then lifelong friends and colleagues; the most prominent and influential lichenologists in the United States for their active careers during the second half of the 20th Century. They received their PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Botany (Hale 1953, Culberson 1954) under eminent lichenologist John W. Thomson and eminent ecologist John T. Curtis. Culberson joined the Botany Department faculty at Duke University in 1955, remaining there until retirement in 1995. Bill and his life-long collaborator and wife Chicita together led major advances in the study of lichen chemistry as well as the biological and evolutionary significance of lichens. Bill published over 100 editions of “Recent literature on lichens” and trained a virtual town of lichenologists to shape modern North American lichenology. Hale joined the Smithsonian Institution’s Department of Botany in 1957, where he remained until his death. His research contributed to every aspect of lichenology; he was a leader in many of them. His revisions of the hopelessly broad genus Parmelia sensu lato, his publication of an outstanding field guide for both professionals and amateurs, and his many years teaching field courses on lichenology were among his great contributions. Culberson and Hale together authored the monumental early versions of ‘‘Checklist(s) of the lichens of the continental United States and Canada.’’ The Culberson-Hale program of small grants to promote field research in lichenology was established and first awarded in 2015. Generous gifts from ABLS members fund this program. Applications are solicited each year for proposals from ABLS members.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicant must be a current member of ABLS. In the case of undergraduates who are not members of ABLS, their faculty sponsor or graduate student advisor must be a member.Funds are to be used only for expenses associated with fieldwork.Previous recipients are eligible to apply as long as the previously funded work has been completed and a report has been submitted before the current application is received. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Applicant must be a current member of ABLS. In the case of undergraduates who are not members of ABLS, their faculty sponsor or graduate student advisor must be a member.

Ineligibility

Awards are not provided for support of travel to meetings, symposia, or to visit herbaria, museums, or other institutions.Funds cannot be used for laboratory expenses.