Green-Wood Research Award in Human/Nature Interactions

This award provides support for emerging investigators and designers to conduct original research or design work that utilizes the location, landscape and/or collections of Green-Wood Cemetery and Historic Fund to advance the study of the relationship between humans and nature.

Geographic Scope: Available to applicants worldwide; not limited to United States citizens or universities

Focus Areas: Research or design work focusing on human/nature interactions, including but not limited to:

• Bereavement
• Physical and behavioral health
• Gentrification
• Environmental justice and colonial legacy
• Urban climate resilience
• Green burial and religious ritual
• Ecological landscape design

Award Details:

• Maximum Award: $4,000 per year
• Award Uses: Research expenses and/or travel expenses associated with proposed research
• Project Term: February 15 to January 31 (approximately 12 months)
• Multi-year Projects: Eligible for continued funding with renewal proposal and progress report required each year; no guarantee of continued funding

In-Kind Support: Award recipients receive access to:

• Landscape assets
• Plant records and wildlife data
• Map layers and Esri GIS software and mobile app tools
• Support staff with digging machines and electricians
• Storage space for equipment
• Freezers and refrigerators for sample storage
• Office space with desktops

Green-Wood's Living Collection: World-renowned arboretum featuring approximately 8,000 specimens representing 695 taxa, 61 taxonomic families, and 159 different genera. Annual environmental impact: sequesters 264,000 lbs. of CO2, removes 12,000 lbs. of pollution, mitigates 2,620,000 gallons of stormwater.

Eligibility: Available to emerging investigators including:

• Graduate students
• Early-career faculty
• NGO-affiliated staff
• Those trained in natural, social, and health sciences, and design fields
• Advanced undergraduate students (with special consideration)
• Must be well-positioned to conduct original, independent research/design work and publish findings in peer-reviewed publications or credible formats
• Fluent in English required
• Special consideration given to applicants from underrepresented groups in their fields

Deliverables:

• Public program participation to educate public on research study (latter half of award term)
• Final report due by March 1 (following year)
• Final reports made available via internet and/or print; should include figures, tables, photographs, and documentation written in style accessible to non-scientists

Selection Criteria:

• Expertise of applicant and readiness to conduct proposed study
• Quality of proposed study
• Relevance to Green-Wood's collections and award goals

Application Process

Submission Timeline:

• Proposals due: January 15 (annually)
• Project term: February 15 - January 31
• Final report due: March 1 (following year)
• Award notification: Late January

Required Application Materials:

1. Proposal Narrative (maximum 3 pages, 1" margins, 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font)
   • Project Title: Brief, clear, specific description of proposed work
   • Principal Investigator(s) and Cooperators: Names, titles, contact addresses, email addresses, and primary roles
   • Background: Describe importance to award goals/priorities; reasons for work; problems/opportunities to address; needs to fulfill; intended beneficiaries
   • Specific Objectives: Clear, complete, logically arranged statements of specific objectives and testable hypotheses; measurable outcomes relating to human/nature interaction
   • Approach/Methods: Overall strategy and methods to achieve objectives at Green-Wood; innovative features relative to previous efforts and demonstrable needs
   • Intended Outcomes and Impacts: Expected outcomes and ways project could enhance knowledge of human/nature interaction
   • Project Timeline: Timeline and anticipated dates for on-site research
2. Budget (one page maximum)
   • Itemize research and travel costs
   • Total limited to maximum $4,000 per year
   • Awards not intended as salary stipend
3. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
4. Letter of Recommendation (for non-faculty applicants)
   • Referee must submit directly to researchaward@green-wood.com
   • Subject line: "Human Nature Interactions Award" and applicant's name
   • Due date: January 15

Submission Requirements:

• Completed proposals due: December 31 (preceding proposal deadline)
• Format: PDF preferred
• Upload via online link on application page
• Allow 20-30 seconds for PDF upload to complete
• Do not click Send multiple times
• Confirmation email will be sent upon receipt

For Questions: Contact researchaward@green-wood.com regarding the award, Green-Wood resources, research proposal, or submission process