Research Awards

South Mountain Research Grants

Applications are due on a rolling basis: January 3rd | June 6th | September 5th

The South Mountain Research Corps (SMRC) is seeking opportunities to support academic and student-focused research in environmental sciences, forestry, agriculture, cultural and historic resources, geology, geography, and land use planning. Linked below is the grant packet document that lists potential inventory, research, and monitoring priorities that could be conducted on public or private lands within the South Mountain landscape.

• Grant Packet with Research Priorities

The documents are organized by general program area. The potential projects listed are the result of priorities expressed by researchers and agencies, as well as community feedback over the last six months. More detailed problem statements for each potential project are available upon request, and there is a contact name and email attached to each one.

This year the SMRC will accept applications for research projects that help address our research priorities within the range of $1,000 to $5,000. Previous projects have averaged around $3,000. Priority will be given to proposals that address the research priorities, to proposals that are multidisciplinary in scope, and to proposals that help students develop the skills and expertise necessary for successful careers in land and resource management. 

Some important details to include regarding the proposals and grants:

• The grants require a 1 to 1 cash or in-kind match.
• A succinct project proposal that addresses the chosen problem statement includes who will conduct the research and who will supervise it, and states specifically what will be delivered to address the problem statement (e.g. a technical report, a journal article, a video, etc.)
• A proposed budget (one page), and timetable/project schedule, the budget should note if your match is cash or in-kind and the source of the match.
• Eligible costs include; research costs, travel, student stipends or compensation [hourly wage or honorarium].
• Eligible match can include cash costs as well as in-kind university match such as staff time.
• Curriculum Vitae of the supervising faculty member(s) and student(s) working on the project
• Projects must impact or occur in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, or York Counties. Applying Educational Institutions can be located anywhere in Pennsylvania. 

NEW THIS YEAR! Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis on the following dates: 

JANUARY 3RD | JUNE 6TH | SEPTEMBER 5TH

Funding decisions will be made approximately 2 weeks following the deadline, and projects can begin 2 weeks after that. All projects must be completed by December 31, 2025. (example; if applying for the June deadline, your project could begin in July and must be completed by December 2025)

APPLY HERE. For questions about this program, please contact Julia Chain at jchain@appalachiantrail.org

Funding for the South Mountain Research Corps Program is provided by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.