Ralph W. Stone Graduate Fellowship

Each year, the NSS awards two Ralph W. Stone Graduate Fellowships for cave-related thesis research. The annual award is currently $2,000 each. NSS members currently pursuing graduate studies anywhere in the world are eligible to apply.

Applicants should submit a proposal package including:

  • A project description, i.e.  a summary of previous work in the field of study and how the proposed project should expand our understanding of that field; a statement describing what data are to be acquired and how; and a section describing possible results and implications of the study. The project description including figures and tables is limited to seven (7) pages. An additional two pages may be used for the 'Literature Cited' section.
  • A resume, including your NSS number.
  • A detailed academic record, such as a grade transcript (unofficial copies are acceptable).
  • At least two letters of recommendation, including one from your thesis advisor.
  • A budget and budget justification, including a list of other organizations to which this (or a similar) proposal has been or will be submitted. Specifically, we want to know how the awardee will spend any funding we provide.

The submission of proposals in electronic form (Word or Adobe Acrobat files) is strongly encouraged (please combine the components above, excluding letters of recommendation, into a single file. Grade transcripts can be inserted as a scanned image).

Proposals are due on or before March 15th, annually. Letters of recommendation should be emailed as word or pdf attachments to the Chairperson, or mailed to:

Dr. Donald A. McFarlane
WM.Keck Science Center, The Claremont Colleges
925 North Mills Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711-5916  USA.

Enquiries and electronic submissions:   Dr. Donald A. McFarlane