Field Discovery Grants

Formerly the Maxwell Hanrahan Grants

Deadline: March 9, 2026

OBFS provides funds to field stations for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers studying field biology, as well as postgraduate and early-career researchers studying earth science subjects at field stations. Member stations in good standing should look for the annual call for applications on the OBFS listserv or reach out to grants@obfs.org.

View details and application

Funding Opportunities

Here is a list of current funding opportunities. If you have questions, please contact grants@obfs.org. For those looking for information about proposals (e.g., examples of successful NSF proposals), we suggest reaching out to the OBFS listserv to get copies directly from colleagues who are willing to share.

For field stations

Simons Foundation

  • Funds across scientific disciplines, but of particular interest may be the Simons Collaborations in Ecology and Evolution
  • LOI has passed for this year, but keep an eye out for another chance this fall (likely October) and get your collaborations going now!
  • No geographic limitations

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

  • Largely international
  • Focused on biodiversity hot spots
  • Up to $250K in funding
Details and application

W.M. Keck Foundation

  • Science and Engineering funding for research universities
  • Large, $1M+ awards
  • Start with a call to discuss your project with the foundation; they call this "Concept Counseling"
  • Concept Counseling deadline is June 15, 2026 for awards in late 2026/early 2027
  • No geographic limitations

MJ Murdock Trust

  • Focused in the Pacific Northwest
  • Fund scientific research and conservation (as well as other areas)
  • Three granting periods per year, next one opens July 1, 2026 and closes August 10, 2026, but they cap it when they reach 300 applicants, so you should aim to submit on July 1 if possible
Details and application

For students

Hayner Foundation

  • Scholarships at institutions of higher learning, and scientific research, including equipment for such research, at institutions of higher learning
  • Specific to universities in Allen County, Indiana
  • Up to $25,000
  • Due May 1
Details and application