Stephen R. Tully Research Grant

The Stephen R. Tully Memorial Grant is a competitive funding opportunity offered annually by the Raptor Research Foundation. It was established in 1983 in memory of Steve Tully, a passionate young falconer and raptor biologist who died tragically in a car accident in 1978 at the age of 21. Known for his commitment to raptor biology, Steve was actively engaged in falconry and was pursuing his Red-tailed Hawk when he succumbed to injuries from the crash. To honor his dedication to raptor conservation, his family and friends created this grant to support emerging and underfunded researchers in the field. The grant supports original research and conservation efforts focused on birds of prey. It is specifically intended for students and amateur researchers who have limited access to other sources of funding. Proposals submitted by agencies are not accepted, reflecting the funder’s commitment to uplifting individual applicants who might otherwise be unable to carry out meaningful raptor-related projects. Each year, a single award is made, highlighting the program’s selectivity and emphasis on merit and purpose. The maximum award is $4,500. In addition to the grant amount, recipients are eligible for waived page charges to publish the resulting work in the Journal of Raptor Research, provided that the awardee is the primary author and the research reflects the funded project. The funding is meant to cover specific research needs outlined in a required budget section of the application, including fieldwork, materials, and other relevant project expenses. Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal package online, beginning in January and no later than June 30th of the same year. The submission must include a cover letter detailing the applicant’s motivation and expected study outcomes, a curriculum vitae, and a research proposal not exceeding five pages. The proposal must address the study’s background, justification, objectives, methods, budget, other funding sources (both received and requested), expected results, and relevant citations. A photograph of the applicant, preferably taken in the field, must also be submitted for use in announcements. Applications are reviewed through a competitive process managed by the Raptor Research Foundation. The evaluation emphasizes scientific merit, project feasibility, the applicant’s potential, and alignment with the goals of the Foundation. Although specific evaluation criteria are not disclosed in full, the proposal components suggest a focus on both the technical and conservation-oriented aspects of the research. The grant opportunity recurs annually, with the next cycle expected to begin in January 2027. Past recipients include students and early-career professionals conducting research globally, with projects ranging from human-raptor conflict resolution to owl habitat assessments. Inquiries regarding the grant and application process can be directed to [email protected].