Stuntz Mycology Fund Grants

The Stuntz Mycology Fund grant program is dedicated to advancing mycological research and education in the Pacific Northwest. Named in honor of Dr. Daniel E. Stuntz, a notable mycologist who focused on macrofungi, this fund supports activities that deepen understanding of fungi within the defined PNW region. The geographic focus includes Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana, southwest British Columbia, and southeast and south-coastal Alaska. Researchers outside the PNW may apply if their projects are centered on fungi from this region. Funding priorities are directed toward projects involving mushroom-forming fungi, known as macrofungi or macromycetes, aligning with Dr. Stuntz's academic legacy. Grants typically cover research supplies, equipment, analytical services, and conference participation. Eligible costs may also include fungal herbarium expenses, materials for educational activities, and limited fieldwork travel, particularly road mileage at $0.31 per mile and camping fees. Honoraria for visiting speakers and modest compensation for non-salaried undergraduate research assistants may also be considered, provided those roles are educational in nature. The fund encourages applicants to develop lean proposals and seek co-funding from other sources. Two application types are supported: requests of $1,000 or less may be submitted year-round, while proposals exceeding $1,000 are reviewed twice annually. For those larger grants, the deadlines are March 1st and October 1st, with notifications issued by late April and late November respectively. All applications must include a proposed budget that clearly outlines item descriptions, quantities, unit costs, and their relevance to the project activities. Budgets should be detailed enough for reviewers to evaluate alignment with the project narrative. Applicants must also submit one or two letters of reference from professional or academic sources familiar with their qualifications and ability to conduct the proposed work. These letters help assess the applicant’s capacity and commitment to completing the project successfully. While the program welcomes a broad range of applicants, it specifically excludes for-profit entities, commercial companies, applications that include salary or tuition requests, institutional overhead, and travel expenses based on federal or institutional reimbursement rates. It also does not accept proposals for research outside the PNW unless the subject is PNW fungi. Page charges for publications are likewise ineligible. The review process is structured around biannual board meetings where selected proposals are evaluated and funding decisions made. The Stuntz Mycology Fund remains committed to fostering meaningful contributions to mycology and myco-education in the Pacific Northwest through strategic and targeted financial support.

Preference is given to lean projects and those leveraging other funding sources