Background
Protecting Acadia National Park in today’s rapidly changing world demands high-quality, forward-looking research, greater access to and engagement with science, improved science communication skills, and increased relevance and inclusion.
Building on the success of Second Century Stewardship, Schoodic Institute will support a new generation of talented scientists doing innovative, management-relevant research; telling stories of park science that inform, inspire, and reach new audiences; and engage the public in ways that stimulate learning, curiosity, and concern for Acadia and national parks more broadly.
Goals of Acadia Science Fellowships
- Support stewardship of park resources through original scientific research.
- Strengthen public understanding of the importance of science for navigating rapid change in Acadia.
- Increase public engagement with science.
Number of fellowships, award amount, and timing
We expect to award one to three fellowships of up to $30,000 each. Announcement of the awards will be made in spring 2025. Duration is for one to three years.
COVID-19 considerations
There remains uncertainty about the future of COVID-19 and how research in Acadia could be affected in future years. We understand that projects may have to adjust to the realities of the pandemic and we will be flexible in regards to project scope, logistics, and timeline. In the application, please assume that you will be able to conduct your project as planned but be prepared to adapt as realities necessitate.
Relevant research topics
Proposed research projects should be relevant to resource management and long-term stewardship of Acadia National Park. Multi-park projects, including Acadia, are also encouraged. Relevant disciplines may include, but are not limited to (in alphabetical order, not by priority): archeology, botany, citizen science, climate change adaptation, communication, conservation, cultural resources, ecology, economics, education, geology, historic preservation, natural resources, recreation, restoration, social science, sustainability, and projects that cross or combine disciplines. The park’s Resource Stewardship Strategy provides more information on priorities and research needs (a summary is available here). Proposals should be for scientific research. Proposals for communication, outreach, or education projects are not eligible.
Who should apply
We encourage early-career scientists, assistant professors, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students to apply. Applicants must be U.S. residents and at least 18 years in age. Employees of NPS, Schoodic Institute, and past Second Century Stewardship or Acadia Science Fellows are not eligible to apply.
Evaluation of proposals
A committee consisting of representatives from Schoodic Institute and the National Park Service will evaluate the proposals based on the criteria listed below. Additional technical experts and park partners may be called upon to review the scientific aspects of the proposals. Expect that some reviewers will be from outside the discipline addressed by your project.
Proposals will be evaluated based upon
- 25% – Intellectual merit: advancing knowledge within and across disciplines
- 25% – Relevance to long-term stewardship of Acadia National Park and potential to inform resource management
- 20% – Potential to contribute to education and science communication
- 15% – Potential to contribute or lead to long-term research at Acadia National Park
- 15% – Qualifications of the applicant—evidence of skills and expertise to carry out the proposed work as well as professional potential
Successful proposals will
- Have high potential to increase understanding of and inform responses to change in socio-ecological systems.
- Address priority information needs specific to Acadia National Park, but in ways that can inform our understanding or management of systems and parks in other locations.
- Be cost-effective, reasonable, and achievable in terms of scope and goals given the funding, expertise, and experience of the researcher.
- Provide evidence that the applicant is committed to connecting their research to management applications and communicating it to varied audiences.
Schoodic Institute and NPS will work closely with fellows to develop and implement appropriate communication, education, and public engagement activities, as well as activities to help translate research to management. Fellows will receive training in and support for science communication. Proposals must show evidence that the PI has strong interest in connecting research with management and communicating to varied audiences, but proposals should not describe specific education and communication activities planned in association with the proposed research—we will develop these activities together after awarding the fellowships.
Expectations and requirements of fellows
Budget limit
Each proposal may request up to a total of $30,000 for research, including stipend, supplies, equipment, and/or travel for the full duration of the fellowship (1-3 years).
Lodging
Overnight accommodations for researchers and field assistants is expected to be available at Schoodic Institute. Proposals should describe the anticipated lodging needs (timing and number of people), but costs should not be included in the budget.
Timeline
The fellowship period may extend one to three years for full completion of the research, including synthesis and publication of findings.
Communication and education
Fellows should plan to spend two weeks (80 hours) on communication and education-related activities. Fellows should also plan in their schedule for three days (nine hours) of communication training (timing to be determined based on fellow schedules). Overall, proposals should budget for the time spent on communication and education activities and training.
Mentorship
Fellows will be paired with a mentor to support the project. This mentor could be an established scientist, resource manager, or communication specialist, and the mentorship may include connecting research with management and policy and communicating science to varied audiences.
Permits
Fellows will be required to get NPS research permits and must abide by the conditions and reporting requirements of permits. Please see the Acadia National Park Information for Researchers page for more information on the permitting process and requirements.
Documenting, managing, and sharing methods and data
Fellows must follow best practices for documenting, managing, and sharing research methods, data, and metadata. We suggest fellows follow the recommendations of DataONE.org for documenting workflow and archiving and sharing data.
Reporting
Fellows will be required to submit a) brief annual updates due January 30 each year; b) a final report or manuscript; and c) notification of all related reports and publications. The updates will note any modification to objectives, will include summaries suitable for publication by Acadia Science Fellowship partners, and will include progress made on:
- The research timeline and milestones
- Data management
- Educational and communication activities and measured impacts
- New, additional funding sources, if any (other funding is not required)
- Funds spent
- Other aspects to be defined
Deadline
Proposals must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern U.S. time on October 31, 2024.
How to apply
Proposals will be accepted through the Acadia Science Fellowship apply page. The online application site will open by September 4, 2024. The online application components are included in the following Application Requirements document.
Informational webinar
An overview of the Acadia Science Fellowship, the application process, and park research priorities will be held on Monday, September 16 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. We strongly recommend that you attend the 60-minute webinar. Please register here. The webinar will be recorded and available here for those unable to attend.
Notification of Awards
Recipients will be notified by March 1, 2025. We expect to award one to three fellowships in 2025.
More information
Acadia Science Fellowship: https://schoodicinstitute.org/acadiasciencefellowship/
Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park: www.schoodicinstitute.org
Acadia National Park: www.nps.gov/acad/learn/index.htm
Questions should be sent to: asfellow@schoodicinstute.org
Application Requirements
Deadline: October 31, 2024, 5:00 pm (Eastern Time)
Please submit application materials through the Acadia Science Fellowship online submission web page, accessed through the apply page. All parts of the application are required and must be submitted by the announced deadline to be considered eligible. The online application components are described below.
Applicant information
- Name
- Address
- Phone
- Home institution
- Institution address
- Applicant’s principal advisor/supervisor (name and title)
Title page
- Project title
- Abstract: 250-word project summary of proposed research, suitable for a non-scientist audience. The summary should be self-contained and provide specific descriptions of the goals, research activities, and relevance to park management.
- Other funding sources, if any (other funding is not required)
- Housing requirements (timing and any other needs, or specify if housing not required)
- List of project collaborators, if any, and their contact information
Communication narrative – 350 words
- Evidence of applicant interest in connecting research with park stewardship and communicating research to varied audiences
Project narrative – not to exceed three pages (single spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font)
- Anticipated start and end dates
- Brief background (including related citations)
- Objectives
- Methods and measurable results
- Research timeline with anticipated milestones
- Data management plan
- Citations
Project budget and justification – not to exceed two pages
- How project funds will be spent—e.g., stipend, travel, supplies, etc.
- Fellowship funds cannot be used for institutional overhead.
Curriculum vitae
Not to exceed four pages, please include a one-paragraph bio. Graduate students, additionally include a copy of your graduate school transcripts.
References
Provide names and email and phone contact information for two references.
How to apply
Proposals will be accepted starting September 4 through the Acadia Science Fellowship online submission site, accessed through the apply page.
Additional Terms and Conditions
of Application and Participation in the Research Fellowship
- Liability: Schoodic Institute does not endorse any submission or any opinion, recommendation, or advice expressed therein, and expressly disclaim any and liability in connection with submissions.
- Intellectual Property Rights: Schoodic Institute does not permit infringement of any intellectual property rights and will disqualify any submission if properly notified that a submission’s contents infringe on another’s rights. In connection with submissions, applicants affirm, represent, and/or warrant that they own or have the necessary licenses, rights, consents, and permissions to use and authorize Schoodic Institute to use all patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other proprietary rights in and to any and all submissions to enable inclusion and use of the submissions in the manner contemplated by Schoodic Institute and these Terms and Conditions.
- Third Party Material: Applicants agree that they will not submit material that is copyrighted by a third party, protected by trade secret, or otherwise subject to third-party proprietary rights, including privacy and publicity rights, unless the applicant is the owner of such rights or has permission from their rightful owner to submit the material.
- Legality: By submitting an application, applicants warrant and confirm that the applicant is in compliance with all laws applicable to the application and the work proposed.
- Publicity: By entering the Research Fellowship, applicants acknowledge that they may be featured in publicity without further consent. Such publicity may include without limitation the applicant’s name and/or likeness, voice, photographs and/or video footage of the applicant, biographical information provided by the entrants/winners and/or any statement made by them concerning the competition and/or the prizes. Applicants agree that any or all such elements may be used by Schoodic Institute in any and all media in perpetuity throughout the world. Nevertheless, Schoodic Institute shall have no obligation to include an entrant in any publicity whatsoever.
- Plagiarism: By applying for the Research Fellowship, the applicant certifies that materials submitted in the application are the original work of the applicant. No application containing plagiarized writing will be funded under this competition.
- Lost or Damaged Materials: Schoodic Institute accepts no responsibility for applications lost, delayed, misdirected, damaged, or undelivered. Incomplete, non-compliant, and/or illegible entries will be disqualified. Schoodic Institute shall not be responsible for technical errors in telecommunications networks, Internet access, or otherwise, preventing entry to the competition.
- Agreement of Terms and Conditions: By submitting an application, the applicant agrees to all of the rights, permissions, and terms and conditions as contained in this document.
- Dissemination: Schoodic Institute reserves the right to publicly disseminate general information about submissions. Such information may include: the number of proposals received; the names of applicants and applicant organizations; titles of proposed activities; and sector(s) in which the work is proposed. For individuals receiving prizes, Schoodic Institute reserves the right to publicly disseminate descriptions of proposals funded, as well as reports about progress and outcomes. All finalists will be expected to provide Schoodic Institute with reasonable assistance in communicating the outcomes and impacts of their work to the public.
- Acknowledgements: All publications resulting from research supported by the fellowship should include an acknowledgement of Schoodic Institute, NPS, and the Acadia Science Fellowship.