Through the Station Exchange Program, Archbold Director of Education Dustin Angell was able to visit Biogeoscience Institute, Calgary University and share information. Photo courtesy of Dustin Angell.
Member stations can take advantage of our many programs and funding opportunities!
OBFS - Maxwell Hanrahan Field Biology and Earth Science Grants
OBFS has partnered with the Maxwell Hanrahan Foundation to provide monies to field stations for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers studying field biology as well as post-graduate/early career researchers who are studying earth science subjects at field stations. Member stations in good standing should look for the annual call for applications on the OBFS listserv - the proposals will be due in early March.
OBFS Station Exchange Program (SXP)
The Station Exchange Program provides mini travel awards for field station staff to visit other field stations in the OBFS network for shadowing, cross-training, and mentoring opportunities. Reciprocal (two-way) field station visits are highly encouraged and will receive priority. Look for announcements via the OBFS listserv.
The Matching Program
Brings stations together for three years (or longer) so they can:
- Deepen networking opportunities throughout our international community
- Establish support systems among our often isolated and remote FSMLs
- Jump start multi-year collaborations across our diverse lands and expertise
Calls for applications are sent out in the fall and in the spring we offer a Matching Program Workshop so stations can meet each other, talk ideas/interests/priorities and identify which stations they most want to partner with so the Matching Committee can make the matches!
- The years are generally organized as follows:
- Year 1: Planning
- Year 2: Development
- Year 3: Implementation and Deliverables
- Each group has an annual budget of up to US$5,000 for up to three years (we encourage groups to find matching funding, use this as seed money for additional funding, and donations back to the program are encouraged!!)
- OBFS will financially support up to 6 groups annually.
- The matching program committee facilitates the partnerships but each team works independently.
- Have questions? Contact IC leadership
The Mini-Grant Program
Member stations and individual members may submit one proposal/year, up to $5000, for projects that complement the strategic plan, help achieve the plan's goals and objectives, and advance the mission of OBFS. Learn more about the program here.
AIBS Congressional Visit Day
OBFS collaborates with the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) annually to sponsor a few OBFS members to an in-person training and advocacy opportunity on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. The call for OBFS participants goes out to the OBFS listserv around February each year for the late-April trip to D.C. Find out more about all of OBFS' Advocacy efforts or read a highlight from the visit day here!
International and Early Career/Student Travel Awards
These awards support attendance at the OBFS Annual Meeting for international and early career/student members.
Virtual Cafés
One hour conversations - bring your choice of drink!
- Dates, times, and links are announced on the listserv and posted as an event on the OBFS calendar.
- Field station presentations are encouraged as are Speaker Series; consider using the program for region-specific topics!
- All Cafés are in English and Spanish.
- Let the International Committee know if you have some ideas or are interested in being featured.