The Marland Pratt Billings and Katharine Fowler-Billings Fund for Research in New England Geology

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The Billings Fund was established in 1996, honoring the contributions of Marland and Kay Billings to the study of the geology of New England. The purpose of the Fund is to encourage geological fieldwork and related research in the New England region through a grant program. The Fund also helps to sustain the financial viability of NEIGC. ​​Three trustees, currently J. Dykstra Eusden, Bates College, Brian K. Fowler, Mt. Washington Observatory, and Mark Van Baalen, Harvard University, review applications and grant awards usually in the $1000 range.

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In 2013 the Billings Fund principal was transferred to the Geological Society of America Foundation (GSAF) to provide stewardship of the Fund in perpetuity.  GSAF will also administer grants to graduate students, while grants to undergraduates will continue to be administered locally.

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Application Procedure for Undergraduates

1. Full-time undergraduate students at an accredited institution of higher learning may apply for grants from the Billings Fund.  The institution need not be in the New England region, but the proposed field work should take place in New England or adjacent regions.

2. A description of the proposed project should include the purpose and goals of the field work, and should describe deliverable items resulting from the field work, e.g. a geologic map and report.  If awarded a grant, the student must agree to provide to the Billings Fund Committee a copy of the project results, and the Billings Fund should be acknowledged in any publications resulting from the project.

3. Proposals have no specific format or length, but 3-5 pages might be appropriate; the proposal should also include an abstract or concise summary. Proposals should describe how the project will contribute to our knowledge of New England geology, and indicate hypotheses to be tested.  A project time line and description of the previous experience of the student would be appropriate as well.  Include a location map and any other figures or illustrations that help support the proposal.  Each proposal must be accompanied by a letter of support from the applicant’s faculty advisor.

4. Completed proposals may be submitted online by email to Mark Van Baalen, Harvard University, mvb@harvard.edu

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The Billings Fund Trustees want to make sure that projects are scientifically worthwhile, do-able in a finite amount of time, and will produce a result. We look most favorably upon proposals that emphasize the role of geologic mapping.  These grants are limited to funding expenses related to field work (e.g. field equipment and supplies, transport, accommodations, and the preparation of maps) and would not fund a new hard disk for a computer or lab fees for sample analysis, etc.  While there is no fixed deadline for applications, proposals should be submitted at least two months prior to the intended fieldwork.  Since the Billings Fund can only disburse a limited amount of money each year, it is in the applicant’s interest to submit a proposal early in the year, so that an otherwise good proposal will not be declined due to lack of funds.

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Grant Application Procedures for Graduate Students:

The GSA Foundation Graduate Student Research Grants website describes the application procedure. The Billings Fund is listed in the Specialized Awards section.  Once the GSA research committee reviews all grant applications, qualifying proposals are sent to the Billings Fund Trustees for consideration.  The Billings Fund Trustees may request supplementary information from applicants while making its funding decisions.

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Note that applicants for graduate research awards must be GSA members.  GSA has a special discounted rate for students.

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Questions about the Billings Fund should be directed to Mark Van Baalen, mailto:mvb@harvard.edu.

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Contributions to the Billings Fund may be sent in care of the Geological Society of America Foundation, P.O. Box 9140, Boulder, CO 80301, or online through the GSAF website.