Cleveland Metroparks Research Grant Program

Cleveland Metroparks is currently accepting proposals for the 2025 Cleveland Metroparks Research Grant Program. This program is designed to provide funding for projects that:

1. advance ongoing research priorities and goals for Cleveland Metroparks,
2. take place entirely or in part on properties managed by Cleveland Metroparks, and
3. provide results that can guide or assist management efforts.

Who Can Apply?
We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds, including:

• Academic institutions: Students (undergraduate or graduate), faculty, and staff
• Government entities: Local, regional, state, or federal governments
• Non-profit organizations: Particularly those with a conservation, natural resource management, or environmental protection focus
  

We particularly welcome applications from undergraduate and graduate students, and will give preference to institutions and applicants that have not previously been awarded funds.

Are There Research Priorities?
Although research in most areas relevant to conservation and natural resource management are welcomed, we will give particular preference to projects that address core management and research priorities in the Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources Management Plan.

How Can Research Funds Be Used?
Funded projects typically have proposed budgets between $500 and $1,000. In some cases, we may support research projects up to $3,000; in others, we may provide partial funding to research proposals as well. In addition, higher amounts may be awarded to multi-year projects. Funding can be used for the following:

• Field equipment and supplies
• Lab consumables and equipment
• Computational resources and equipment
• Travel or transportation costs
• Salaries

Please note that funding may not be applied for overhead or indirect costs unless explicitly required by parent institutions of applicants, and only to a maximum of 5% of the total project budget. Given that policies vary from institution to institution, applicants should contact relevant institutional staff to determine requirements before applying.

How Do I Apply?
Proposals should be submitted as a Word document (.docx, .doc) or PDF; please use 12 point or higher font to ensure readability, and, if possible, keep proposal length to less than four pages (single spaced). All proposals must include the following sections:

• Grant application form (see attached)
• Abstract not to exceed 300 words
• Introduction that includes a brief review of relevant literature, purpose, objectives, and significance
• Description of Project Design and Methodology (describe in enough detail to evaluate the probability of successful, on-time project completion)
• Description of Proposed Analysis
• Products and/or deliverables
• Proposed Timeline for Completion
• Literature Cited
• Budget
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae for principal investigator (student and faculty advisor if student project)

While proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, in order to ensure full consideration of your proposal, please submit all application materials by March 31 to Nathan Byer (nwb@clevelandmetroparks.com).

Next Steps After Application
After submission, grant requests will be reviewed by a team of Cleveland Metroparks staff based upon the following: a) the fit of the proposed work with the priorities outlined in the Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources Management Plan, b) the feasibility of the project scope and proposed timeline, c) the suitability of the proposed methodology to address the project questions, and d) the clarity and concision with which the project is described.

After applicants are notified of awarded funding, they will be expected to sign a grant agreement stipulating terms under which funds are being granted. We highlight several below:

1. Funds will only be dispersed to the parent institution of the applicants;
2. grant awards will not serve in lieu of required federal or state permits for proposed work, and awardees are responsible for acquiring permits required for their proposed projects;
3. prior to accessing Cleveland Metroparks properties for the proposed work, awardees will be expected to execute a research and collections permit or data-sharing agreement with Cleveland Metroparks, and will be expected to abide by relevant guidelines laid out in those agreements;
4. awardees are strongly encouraged to present findings from their funded work at the yearly Natural Resources Research and Management Symposium, typically held in December.

See Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources Grant Application Form

• Posted: February 7, 2025
• Job Type: Grant Opportunity
• Application deadline: 03/31/2025
• Organization: Cleveland Metroparks
• Qualifications: Who can Apply: Academic institutions: Students (undergraduate or graduate), faculty, and staff; Government entities: Local, regional, state, or federal governments; Non-profit organizations: Particularly those with a conservation, natural resource management, or environmental protection focus
• How to apply: Email completed applications to Nathan Byer (nwb@clevelandmetroparks.com) by March 31, 2025.

Contact Information

Nathan Byer
Cleveland Metroparks
nwb@clevelandmetroparks.com

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