The Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon (TFSE) regularly invites UIS students (Graduate or Undergraduate) to submit proposals for student-driven projects based in, and around the Emiquon Preserve. The number of awards and their value is expected to vary from year-to-year. Projects do not need to be scientific in nature. Projects should have a defined outcome. Students are expected to present at STARS.

Outcomes will vary widely based on the project. Some potential examples are:

• Visual Arts: a project might result in a collection of images (paintings, drawings, photographs, etc.) for use by the TFSE on the website, in promotional materials, or as decorations in the facility.
• Chemistry: a project could examine pesticides in the Illinois River and Thompson Lake. This project could contribute to the TFSE data repository and might help inform decisions about water management.
• Environmental Studies: a project could examine plastic, metal, and other pollution found along the shore of Thompson Lake. Besides cleaning-up, this project could produce pamphlets, posters, and brochures to make users more aware of how they impact the Emiquon Preserve.
• Economics: a project could examine how the Emiquon Restoration project has impacted the surrounding communities.
• Biology: a project might catalog the locations of trees, muskrat huts, beaver dams, or other features of interest, and become part of an on-going project examining how these features change over time.
• Education: a project could focus on creating a “Guide for Teachers” that provides information and activities for K-12 classes that visit the TFSE.

Proposals must include the following sections:

1. Project Title.
2. Your Name, Degree Program, and Name of Supervising Faculty.
3. Description of the project. Be sure to adequately describe the project, including your expected methodology.
4. Expected Outcomes. This should describe what you will be giving to the TFSE at the conclusion of your project. This may be files containing data, or physical collections.
5. Completion Date. This can be an estimate, but should represent when your Expected Outcomes will be turned over to the TFSE.
6. Budget. Be as specific as possible. Materials and transportation costs may be included in the budget. No support is available for stipends or salaries.
7. A Letter of Support. This should be sent by your Supervising Faculty member.

Proposals and Letters of Support should be emailed to the TFSE Director, with the subject “students last name – TFSE grant“.

All proposals will be reviewed by a committee assembled by the TFSE Director, which will make recommendations based on the quality and feasibility of the project.

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Other Opportunities for Students

The Therkildsen Field Station maintains a page with links to a variety of funding opportunities for students. These include grants for student research and travel to conferences.