William Simes Research Fund Grant

The William Simes Research Fund, established in honor of Frances Simes Hastings, supports graduate students and postdoctoral researchers conducting field research at Hastings Natural History Reservation in California. Awards of $2,000 are available to offset costs related to housing and research supplies for extended research periods. This fund fosters scientific inquiry at one of the oldest field stations in the University of California Natural Reserve System, promoting the stewardship of diverse natural habitats.

The William Simes Research Fund was established to honor the father of Frances Simes Hastings who, with her husband Russell, donated the land that would become Hastings Natural History Reservation to UC Berkeley in 1937. Funding to establish the Simes Award was provided by the grandchildren of Frances and Russell in 2017.
Purpose
The Simes Fund is intended to offset the costs associated with an extended (e.g., several month) period of field research at Hastings.
Award Amount
Multiple awards of $2,000 will be made each year; the exact number of awards per year will depend upon available funding. The award will be paid directly to the recipient. For the 2026 award cycle, awardees will be required to submit a brief report (2-4 pg.) by 1 March 2027.

Eligibility

This award is open to graduate students (Masters and Ph.D.) and postdoctoral researchers; applications from exceptional undergraduates will also be considered. The primary intent of this award is to fund research in organismal biology at Hastings Reserve, however projects in other science disciplines (e.g., geology, anthropology) and the humanities will also be considered. The award is open to members of any accredited institution; applicants do not need to be students at UC Berkeley or other campuses in the UC system.