CFO Grants & Scholarships

About our Scholarships & Grants

CFO is devoted to the study, conservation and enjoyment of Colorado's birds. Each year CFO funds research and conservation projects that will have a lasting benefit to Colorado birds and the habitats upon which they rely.

CFO makes grants to qualifying individuals or organizations to fund programs and projects that will have a lasting benefit to Colorado birds, and the habitats upon which they rely. CFO provides grants for projects requesting $600-$1500. CFO grants can either fund a full project or be applied as matching funds for larger grants benefitting Colorado birds. Recipients are required to provide regular status updates and either publish a short, year-end summary of their funded work in the Colorado Birds journal or present their findings in person at the annual CFO convention.

The top-ranked research proposal every year is awarded the Joe Roller Memorial Grant to support avian research in Colorado and to honor the memory of long-time Colorado birder Joe Roller. The grant was initially funded by donations to Scott Somershoe's 2021 Green Big Year, a green (carbon-free) birding initiative.

Application Information

Information for Grant Applicants

Eligibility: CFO grants are open to individuals and organizations that fit the following criteria: 

    • Conducting avian research in Colorado or species that use habitat in Colorado for either breeding or migrating.

Limitations: CFO grants cannot be applied to the following costs:

    • Institutional overhead/indirect costs.
    • Researcher salaries (stipends for field assistants are permitted)
    • Requests for equipment where use goes beyond the scope of the project (such as cameras, spotting scopes, and office equipment) are usually not permitted and require specific justification.
    • If applicants are concerned about any budget items, they should contact CFO  for clarification.

Reporting Requirements: Recipients of funding will:

    • Publish a short year-end summary of their funded work in Colorado Birds: The Quarterly Journal of the Colorado Field Ornithologists.
    • Present their findings at the annual CFO convention within two calendar years of completing the research supported by CFO.

 

2023 Grant Applications

Deadline: 11:59 PM on December 9th, 2022 - Late applications will not be reviewed. 

Submission: Email application form to grants@cobirds.org

Notification of funding decision: March 31, 2023

 

Download Grant Application

Information for Youth Scholarship Applications

Research Grant Awards

Past Recipients

2022
YEAR RESEARCHER AFFILIATION PROPOSAL TITLE
2022 Marion Clement Citizen scientist Northern Saw-whet Owl migratory banding station at Crossline Canyon
2022 Leah Crenshaw University of Northern Colorado, Greeley Analyzing grassland bird song and success at the landscape-level: the impact of landscape characteristics on Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta)
2022 Cassey Weissburg Colorado State University, Pueblo Understanding the effects of trophic interactions on Mountain Plover brood habitat selection and survival
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015