Scholarships

Denneth & Joan Dvergsten Itasca Summer Scholarships
Itasca Director’s Scholarship
David F. Parmelee Memorial Scholarship
William H. Marshall Field Biology Award
James C. Underhill Memorial Scholarship
Itasca Director's Graduate Research Fellowship

All applicants will be notified of their status on or before May 5, 2008

Application Procedure for Dvergsten, Itasca Director’s and Parmelee Scholarships

Application Deadline: Deadline extended to Thursday, May 1

Beginning Summer 2008, the application for Itasca Scholarships will be combined with the application for all other College of Biological Sciences Scholarships. Please download the 2008 Application Packet and follow the instructions for application. The Itasca Scholarship section begins on page 8. Be sure to include the Application Checklist from page 10, indicating which scholarships you are applying for.

If you are applying for more than one scholarship, only one cover sheet (page 6) and set of materials is required. However, please read the eligibility criteria and information below for any separate materials or personal statement guidelines that may be required for individual scholarships. If you are a student from another college at the University or from an outside institution, you do not need to complete the steps for incoming freshman.

Completed applications will include: 1) application cover sheet, 2) personal statement, 3) one letter of recommendation, 5) a brief resume, 6) a current transcript (unofficial copy), and 7) any additional materials required for specific scholarships. Send or deliver application materials to:

CBS Scholarships c/o CBS Dean's Office
University of Minnesota
123 Snyder Hall, 1475 Gortner Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55108

If you have any questions about Itasca scholarships, please contact Erin Fider, Itasca Program Coordinator, at (612) 624-6743 or fider002@umn.edu.

Denneth & Joan Dvergsten Itasca Summer Scholarships

The Dvergsten Itasca Summer Scholarship awards $2500 each to outstanding students who will be taking summer session field biology courses in the Itasca Biology Program (May 28 to July 1, 2008). Selections will be made by the Director in conjunction with the CBS scholarship committee.

Eligibility Criteria: Students must enroll in a course or courses during the Field Biology Session at Itasca Biological Station & Labs from May 28 to July 1 for the summer of 2008. A brief statement (1 page) indicating the course(s) you will be taking and how the coursework relates to your education and/or career goals. Include any experience in biology-related activities such as employment or research that indicates an interest in field biology, participation in organizations, awards, etc. Please also address your financial need. Include one letter of recommendation relating to your preparation or interest in science, preferably from a university professor.

Itasca Director's Scholarship

The Biological Sciences Alumni Society provides $500-$1000 scholarships for students who will be taking summer session field biology courses in the Itasca Biology Program (May 28 to July 1, 2008).

Eligibility Criteria: Any undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota may apply. Students must enroll in a course or courses during the Field Biology Session at Itasca Biological Station & Labs from May 28 to July 1 for the summer of 2008. A brief statement (1 page) indicating the course(s) you will be taking and how the coursework relates to your education and/or career goals. Include any experience in biology-related activities such as employment or research that indicates an interest in field biology, participation in organizations, awards, etc. Please also address your financial need. Include one letter of recommendation relating to your preparation or interest in science, preferably from a university professor.

David F. Parmelee Memorial Scholarship

The Parmelee Scholarship provides $500-$1000 will be taking summer session field biology courses in the Itasca Biology Program (May 28 to July 1, 2008). The scholarship was established in 1999 as a memorial to the former Itasca Station Director (1970-1986), beloved ornithology instructor, and Biology Colloquium advisor. Dr. Parmelee was a devoted teacher and researcher. He developed the Colloquium into a dynamic and positive influence for biology students at the U of M.

Eligibility Criteria: Any undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota may apply. Include a brief description of any financial need or hardship with your application. Students must enroll in a course or courses during the Field Biology Session at Itasca Biological Station & Labs from May 28 to July 1 for the summer of 2008. A brief statement (1 page) indicating the course(s) you will be taking and how the coursework relates to your education and/or career goals. Include any experience in biology-related activities such as employment or research that indicates an interest in field biology, participation in organizations, awards, etc. Include one letter of recommendation relating to your preparation or interest in science, preferably from a university professor.

William H. Marshall Field Biology Award

The Marshall Award of $500 is awarded to a student who is attending summer field biology courses at Itasca Biological Station & Laboratories (May 28-July 1, 2008). This award is open to an undergraduate student in good standing (at least a 3.00 GPA) at any college or university. The student must exhibit exemplary performance in one or more of the courses at the station. An application (available in the Itasca Station office during the summer session) and a letter of recommendation from the Itasca instructor should be submitted to Dr. David D. Biesboer, Itasca Biology Program Director. The award will be presented at the end of the summer session.

James C. Underhill Memorial Scholarship for the Study of Natural History

The James C. Underhill Memorial Scholarship of $500-$1000 has been established to fund student research at the Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories in Itasca State Park, or for coursework at the Station during the summer field biology session.

Eligibility Criteria:

The scholarship is available to any enrolled undergraduate, graduate, or adult special student in good standing without regard to grade point average. Applicants may be from any campus of the University of Minnesota.
The scholarship may be used for course work or research, or combination of both. If the award is used to fund research, it must be conducted in or near Itasca State Park. If the award is used to fund course work, the student must be enrolled in at least one 3-credit field biology course during Summer Session 2008 (May 28-July 1).

Other Criteria

Students wishing to do winter research at the Station will be given preference over summer research.
Research projects must be zoological in nature. Preference will be given to research projects in the following order: 1) fish, 2) invertebrates, 3) amphibians, 4) mammal, reptiles, birds, or other animals.

Application

Research applicants must submit a minimum one-page to a maximum of a two-page research proposal. Students enrolled in coursework must submit a one-page statement indicating the course(s) being taken and how the coursework relates to the applicant's education and/or career goals. Include any experience in biology-related activities such as employment or research that indicates an interest in field biology, participation in organizations, awards, etc.
One letter of recommendation related to your preparation or interest in science by a professor, teacher, or in some cases, a professional colleague.
A current transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) as proof of your standing at the University of Minnesota.

Evaluation
The qualities of creativity, originality, enthusiasm, and a desire to investigate interesting biological interactions will be used to evaluate research proposals and requests to enroll in classes at the Station. If necessary the following hierarchy of student status will be used for final selection: 1) high school and elementary teachers, 2) undergraduates, 3) graduates, and 4) others adding to their education in their current profession (e.g., fisheries biology, journalism, etc.). Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Application Deadline for Summer Session: Deadline extended to Thursday, May 1

CBS Scholarships c/o CBS Dean's Office
University of Minnesota
123 Snyder Hall, 1475 Gortner Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55108

If you have any questions about Itasca scholarships, please contact Erin Fider, Itasca Program Coordinator, at (612) 624-6743 or fider002@umn.edu.

Itasca Director's Graduate Research Fellowship

Established to fund graduate student research in and around Itasca State Park. The maximum award will be $5000. Applications are reviewed as they are received, so early application is encouraged.

To be eligible, students must fit the following criteria:

Research must be done in or near Itasca State Park. Students must be in residence at the Itasca Biological Station & Laboratories for at least a portion of their research. 2) Applications must be from full-time graduate students at any campus of the University of Minnesota for research in Limnology, Aquatic Ecology, or Water Quality. 3) Applicants must submit a minimum one page research proposal with a budget attached. Grants may include funding for research expenses and living expenses. 4) Research proposals must be signed by the applicant's advisor.

Proposals, applications and questions may be submitted to:

Dr. David Biesboer
Director, Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories
220 BioSciences Bldg.
1445 Gortner Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
phone 612-625-1799
e-mail biesboer@umn.edu