Leeward Renewable Energy Research Grant

Grant Details

The Desert Tortoise Council, through a generous grant from Leeward Renewable Energy, is pleased to offer the 2025 Leeward Renewable Energy Research Grant. This grant consists of a monetary award to help support research that examines aspects of desert tortoise ecology that may be influenced by solar energy development, such as population connectivity and anthropogenic barriers, use of wildlife crossing structures by tortoises, restoration of tortoise habitat on solar project sites, control of subsidized predators at solar projects, design of solar projects that allows occupation by tortoises, or other related research questions.

Award Amount

$2,500

Eligibility

Applicants must be associated with a recognized institution (e.g., university, museum, government agency, non-governmental organization) and may be graduate students, post-doctoral students, or other researchers. The winner must agree to present a report on the results of the research in which award funds were used at a future Annual Symposium of the Desert Tortoise Council.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the potential of the research to contribute to the understanding of Mojave desert tortoise response to solar developments. Important considerations are the significance and originality of the research problem, design of sampling and analysis, preliminary data supporting the feasibility of the research, and the likelihood of successful completion and publication.

Application Procedure

1. Click the link at the end of this announcement to view/download the application checklist.
2. Provide all information requested in the application checklist, including a description of the research project in no more than 1,200 words.
3. Submit the completed application to email hidden; JavaScript is required as a pdf document.
4. Applications must be supported by the applicant’s CV and three professional reference letters, one of which must be from the applicant’s research advisor, supervisor, or a knowledgeable colleague. Instruct the recommenders to submit their letters directly to the Council at email hidden; JavaScript is required as pdf documents.
5. All application materials and letters of recommendation must be received by May 15, 2025. Applications will be evaluated by a committee of tortoise biologists appointed by the Desert Tortoise Council Board of Directors and Grants & Academic Funding Committee.
6. The research award recipient will be notified of his/her selection by June 1, 2025.