The Glenn R. Stewart Student Travel Fund

Fund Description

The Glenn R. Stewart Student Travel Fund was established to honor Dr. Glenn R. Stewart, co-founder of the Desert Tortoise Council. This Fund is intended to support students working with North American Gopherus tortoises by assisting with their travel costs to attend and participate at Desert Tortoise Council Annual Symposia. The Fund will support up to $500 (each) in travel costs for up to two students.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled in a recognized educational institution and may be a high school, undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral student. The student applicant must be a member of the Desert Tortoise Council, must attend the upcoming Desert Tortoise Council Annual Symposium, and must submit an abstract to present an oral presentation or poster at the Annual Symposium. The student’s presentation or poster should address research on Gopherus tortoises, or a conservation or management issue relevant to tortoises (e.g., habitat restoration, subsidized predator control, public education).

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of eligibility of the student, quality of the application materials (i.e., relevance or timeliness of research or conservation topic), and how the student would benefit from being funded.

Application Procedure

1. Click the button below to download the application.
2. Applications must be supported by the applicant’s resume, a cover letter that describes how the student will benefit from being funded to travel to the Annual Symposium, and a proposed budget for his/her travel.
3. Submit the completed application (application form, resume, cover letter, and travel budget) to email hidden; JavaScript is required as a pdf document.
4. All application materials must be received by December 31, 2024. They will be evaluated by a committee of tortoise biologists appointed by the Desert Tortoise Council Board of Directors.
5. The student travel award recipient will be notified of his/her selection by January 31, 2025. To receive reimbursement funds, the students will be required to submit travel receipts to email hidden; JavaScript is required following the conclusion of the Desert Tortoise Council Symposium. Upon receipt of the supporting documentation, the Desert Tortoise Council Board of Directors will provide a check to the students for reimbursement of up to $500 in travel costs.