GSA Grants & Awards Program is Administered through the ESF Graduate Student Scholarship Excellence Funds

GSA provides opportunities for students to have access to grants and awards to help support them through their journey at ESF. In Spring 2024, we were able to launch the ESF Graduate Student Research and Scholarship Excellence Program which jointly funded by the Graduate Student Association, The Office of Research Program (ORP) and The Graduate School at SUNY-ESF. The goal of this program is to support academic and research excellence within the current ESF graduate student body through financial assistance for research pursuits, conference attendance and professional development endeavors. This upgraded grant funding facility combines funds from the GSA with funds allocated by the Graduate School and ORP and we are proud to support the graduate students who are extending ESF's mission and goals far and wide!

Grants & Financial Support

The current Grants & Financial Support application period is closed.
Research
The purpose of Research Grants is to enhance the academic excellence of graduate students undertaking various research projects at ESF and seeking financial support to supplement project needs such as purchasing consumables, equipment usage or procurement, sample analysis, software purchase, transportation and accommodation during site surveying or sample collection etc. Students can request up to $1000 in the form of Research Grants. ​
Travel
Travel Grants aim to cover expenses incurred during presentation of original research by graduate students in the form of poster, oral or exhibit presentations in conferences, seminars, symposiums etc.., nationally or worldwide (exemptions include virtual events). Travel Grants can be used to cover transportation costs, registration fees, lodging and limited per diem incidentals up to $500 per grant.
Professional Development
PD Grants are utilized to extend financial help to students wishing to enhance their knowledge and skills through attending workshops, summer schools, research-oriented professional courses etc. which will ultimately help them fulfill their research goals at ESF. PD grants will be awarded up to $600 per grant for activities for which there is no access at ESF or otherwise offered through SU or the GSA.
Capstone
Students presenting a capstone, defense, or final project open to the campus community are eligible to apply for catering reimbursement up to $150 to support their event.
Final Credit
To help reduce the financial burden for unfunded graduating students, the GSA offers a $471 reimbursement for one credit of tuition in the semester you defend and graduate.
For all grant applications that include travel, please use one of the NY OGS mileage calculators. For further queries regarding mileage reimbursement, please contact the Business Office.
​Grant Type
Maximum Request
Eligible Activities
Not Covered
Research
$1000
Materials, supplies, specialized equipment, and project-related travel necessary to conduct the research.
Conferences, meetings, food, or professional development activities.
Travel
$500
Airfare, fuel, rental cars, registration, and accommodations.
Food, parking, attending activities where the student is not presenting their work
Professional
$600
Registration fees, testing fees, books, software
Travel, research
Capstone
$150
Final Credit
$471

Honorary Awards

Honorary Awards are generally peer-based and are bestowed in the spring semester. The current Honorary Award nomination period is closed.
Award recipients will be given $175 in gift cards as recognition for their accomplishments and efforts.
Excellence in Academic Research
Open to ESF faculty and graduate students to nominate graduate students for their accomplishments in academic research. 
Excellence in Applied Research
Open to ESF faculty and graduate students to nominate graduate students for their accomplishments in applied and actionable research and projects.
Excellence in Public Service
Open to the entire ESF community to nominate graduate students committed to public services on campus and beyond.
Excellence in Teaching
Open to the entire ESF community to nominate graduate students for their dedication and passion for teaching. Undergraduate students are encouraged to submit nominations.
Inclusive Excellence
​Open to the entire ESF community to nominate graduate students who made significant contributions to advance SUNY ESF’s mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the past academic year.
All-Rounded Graduate Student 
This award will be presented to the graduate student who best embodies the five criteria listed above. The recipient will be chosen from those nominated for the awards mentioned above.
No selection by the Grants & Awards Committee will discriminate, or promote any form of discrimination, on basis of race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran’s status in any program, activity, or service.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected] or reach out directly to the Grants & Awards Chair (see Current Senate Members).