Joshua Tree National Park

Graduate Student Research Grant Program

Selection Criteria

Joshua Tree National Park Association provides grants to support graduate students at accredited institutions for their independent field science studies in Joshua Tree National Park.

Selection criteria are based on the merit of the work being proposed.  A selection committee will review and rank proposals based on scientific merit, an interpretive component and implications for management of park resources.

Selection criteria are a series of questions that the selection committee will ask as they read your proposal.  Ask yourself these questions as you prepare your application.  Have someone not familiar with your intended topic review your application.

Joshua Tree National Park Graduate Student Research Homepage

Selection Criteria

Problem definition, research need, and information base (5 Points):  Is the problem well defined and adequate background information provided? Is the research need significant and is it addressed by the scope of work?  Does the applicant express the research question in a way that demonstrates understanding of the scientific method?  Is the information base sufficient to accomplish the scope of work?

Interpretive Value and Products (3 Points): How might the research process/progress and results be presented to park visitors? Are there clearly defined stories and environmental messages that can be developed from this proposed research?

Feasibility and Transferability (3 Points): Is the proposed timeframe and budget adequate for completing the scope of work?  Is there potential for the methods and expected results of this research to be transferable to another National Park Service unit or protected area in the desert southwest?  How will this project increase our understanding of desert resources and interconnections?

Hypothesis and Methodology (5 Points): Are there problems in the logic used to develop the hypotheses and methodology?  If not, are the hypotheses clearly stated and are the proposed methods and experimental design appropriate for use in answering the research question?

Scientific Merit (4 Points): To what extent will this proposal make progress towards answering the research question?

Application to Management (4 Points): Will the expected results of this research inform park managers about specific resource conditions and provide recommendations for management concerns?  May the proposed research be conducted with minimal environmental compliance and/or mitigation requirements?