Deadline: 31-Oct-2025
Applications are now open for the IWRS Student Research Award to encourage graduate student scholars engaging in evidence-based, theoretically-grounded research on any aspect of insect or understudied invertebrate sentience (defined broadly as subjective experiences, including pain).
This award will be given to a graduate student whose research has the greatest potential to make a substantive contribution to their understanding of sentience in these taxonomic groups. This $2,000 award shall be given annually to a graduate student conducting research related to insect or understudied invertebrate sentience. Award funds can be used for research/scholastic expenses or as stipend assistance to support the student as they work.
Eligibility: Any currently enrolled graduate (MS, MA, PhD, etc.) student conducting research focused on insect or understudied invertebrate sentience is eligible, so long as they have not yet defended their thesis. Applicants from a range of disciplines (philosophy, comparative cognition, economics, entomology, marine biology, welfare science, agricultural science, environmental science, neuroscience, animal behavior, etc.) are encouraged to apply. Although there is no restriction on the nationality of individuals that may apply, they will not pay awards to recipients located in (or for research that will take place in) jurisdictions, countries, or regions of the world subject to trade restrictions, embargoes, or sanctions put in place by the United Nations or the United States of America.
Proposal instructions specify that Page One should include a cover page with identifying information such as the applicant’s name, position, university affiliation including department and address, email, and the advisor’s name, affiliation, and email. Pages one and two should be the only places where identifying information appears, and applicants are also asked to indicate how they found the award. Page Two requires the applicant’s research advisor to read and sign the support letter provided at the end of the document, which will serve as the second page of the application. Page Three should consist of a one-page research proposal, single spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font. This proposal must contain a descriptive title of twenty words or less, an introduction that reviews the relevant literature to help the committee understand the applicant’s scholarship and anticipated contributions to their discipline, clearly stated project aims that identify the goals, the species or taxa of interest, and a justification of the chosen methodology where applicable, along with a demonstration of feasibility that outlines a brief timeline, necessary resources, and how those resources will be obtained, including any role the grant will play in accessing them. If the research involves fieldwork, applicants must also document that they have obtained the appropriate permissions or permits.
Page Four should present a rough budget explaining how the award funds will be used, accompanied by a short justification of how the expenditures will advance the project’s scholastic goals. Page Five should contain a one-page impact statement describing the anticipated significance of the work and any qualifications or expertise that support this impact, with the concept of impact broadly defined to include contributions to the lives of insects, educational impacts, theoretical, methodological, social, cultural, or other forms of significance. Page Six should provide citations for both the research proposal and the impact statement, while Page Seven and any subsequent pages should include the ethical conduct of live animal research statement.
The award is designed to provide graduate students with both recognition and support as they advance knowledge in the field of insect and understudied invertebrate sentience. By funding research and scholarship, this program empowers students to focus on developing rigorous, meaningful, and impactful contributions to their chosen disciplines.
The structure of the proposal emphasizes clarity and feasibility. Applicants must present their research in a concise and scholarly manner, demonstrating both the academic value of their project and its practicality. The inclusion of a budget and impact statement ensures that applicants communicate not only the theoretical importance of their research but also its tangible outcomes.
Through this award, graduate students gain opportunities to further their research goals while showcasing their academic potential. The emphasis on diverse disciplines ensures inclusivity and encourages innovative approaches from multiple fields, fostering a broader understanding of invertebrate sentience and its implications.
For more information, visit IWRS.
