Mumford & Keller Grant and Scholarship Program

The Mumford & Keller Grant and Scholarship Program, initiated by Indiana Audubon in 2010, offers financial support for projects focusing on natural resources and Indiana's birdlife. With grants ranging from $500 to $5,000, it aims to promote conservation, research, and education. Priority is given to initiatives targeting key species and habitats within Indiana. This program honors the legacy of Russell Mumford and Charles Keller, enhancing bird conservation efforts for future generations.

The Mumford & Keller Grant and Scholarship Program, established by Indiana Audubon in 2010, provides financial support to individuals and organizations for activities and studies related to natural resources, especially those concerning Indiana’s birdlife. The program promotes the mission of Indiana Audubon and funds scholarships for natural resource studies. It is funded annually through the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival Silent Auction and restricted member donations.
Behind the Name
Russell Mumford and Charles Keller were instrumental members of Indiana Audubon. Their pivotal work began with a goal of updating Amos Butler’s pioneering work from the 1890s. Their major publishing work, The Birds of Indiana, drew upon decades of field work and data collection. Their legacy lives on through the Mumford & Keller Grants and Scholarship Program, ensuring their passion for bird conservation echoes through generations.
Grants & Scholarship Priorities
Indiana Audubon prioritizes projects that aid in conservation, research, or education efforts for 20 priority species with the highest percentage of worldwide population nesting in Indiana, as identified by eBird status and trend datasets. View the list of species here. Additionally, funding is prioritized for wintering locations that share unique species connections with Indiana. View the species connection map here.
Funding
Typical awards range between $500-$2500, with scholarship applications are accepted up to $1,000 and project based applications accepted up to $5,000. Total funding will be $25,000. Additional funding from the Mumford & Keller Program supports domestic and international projects in the regions we visit.

Eligibility

Individuals who are students, scientists, individuals, or non-profit organizations, that are promoting a project that supports the study, conservation, or education of natural resources, particularly those related to Indiana’s avifauna, and their relation to the natural environment; projects which contribute to preservation of birds; and/or projects which disseminate knowledge of birds. Individuals interested in avifauna and wish to attend courses, workshops, training programs, conventions, summer camps or other bird related activities (both IAS sponsored and non-IAS sponsored). This category of awards is of particular interest for the Indiana Audubon’s Indiana Young Birders Network participants.
Indiana Bird Towns interested in promoting, enhancing, or conserving public space for the benefit of birds.
Individuals wishing to attend workshops, classes, training programs, conventions, and other bird related activities (both IAS sponsored and non-IAS sponsored).