The National Shellfisheries Association – Pacific Coast Section (NSA-PCS) and Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association (PCSGA) are pleased to jointly offer the inaugural Kenneth K. Chew Student Research Grant, which is a competitive grant that provides $1,200 annually to a graduate student to support their research.
During his lifetime, Dr. Chew made monumental contributions to the field of molluscan biology and the shellfish aquaculture industry in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Ken and Maegan raised a beautiful family of four children and eleven grandchildren.
His loss will be greatly felt in our community, but his legacy lives on in his family and the relationships he cultivated throughout his career as a professor at the University of Washington. Ken maintained a close working relationship with the shellfish industry. Much of his research and that of his graduate students focused on finding solutions to problems that would further the development of the industry. His work, along with the many students he inspired to work in the industry, have been critical to supporting a healthy shellfish industry. Read more about Ken’s accomplishments, including about the conservation hatchery that bears his name, and remembrances from colleagues.
Throughout Ken’s life in a thousand different ways, he endeavored, mightily and joyfully, to shine a light on the growing body of shellfish research occurring here on his beloved Pacific Coast. Much of this research was carried forward by the legions of students he launched into the shellfish world. Our collective hope in presenting this award is that student research will continue to contribute to the field Ken Chew pioneered.
The award is intended to support a student-directed project, or extension of a project, that is associated with their graduate studies (thesis or dissertation). The work should be original, clearly developed, and conducted by the student. Funds can be put towards research expenses (e.g. supplies, sample processing, cost of travel to/from research site). Funds may not support the purchase of general items (e.g. computers), travel expenses associated with attending professional meetings, or publication fees. The funds must be used within the academic year following the award. It is expected that students who receive the Ken Chew Research Grant will present results of their research at the next NSA-PCS/PCSGA annual shellfish conference. Students can request separate funding to support travel to this meeting during conference registration.
The applicant must be a student member in good standing of the NSA-PCS and currently enrolled in a Master’s or Ph.D. program in a recognized degree granting institution in the Pacific Coast region (west of the Rockies from Alaska to California, including Hawaii and Canada). Students may only receive one Ken Chew grant per degree. Applications will be reviewed by an awards committee consisting of NSA-PCS and PCSGA board members. The successful applicant will be announced at the annual NSA-PCS/PCSGA conference and provided the award in the form of a check made personally payable to the recipient. While we encourage applicants to attend the annual meeting, it is not required for recipients. No institutional overhead may be charged on these funds.
APPLICATION
Applications for the 2023-2024 award year are due August 24th, 2023. When applying, send required materials in
a single PDF file to nsapcs@gmail.com.
Required content
● Cover sheet. Thesis/dissertation title, your name, email address, university and department name and
address, degree being sought (Master’s or Ph.D.), date you entered the graduate program, anticipated
graduation date.
● Proposal (1 page): The proposal should describe your research in the context of the broader shellfish
community (e.g. what research are you advancing, problem are you seeking to solve?), context within
your thesis/dissertation (why is this funding critical to the completion of your project?), your
methods/approach, a simple timeline for the proposed work/use of funds, and potential applications of
your research findings. Proposal format must be a maximum of one page with single-spaced 12-pt font.
Figures (if needed) and literature cited are not included in the page limit.
● Budget, budget justification (1 page): Briefly itemize how the requested funds will be spent, including why
each item is needed.
● Resume (maximum 2 pages): List educational and professional background, awards/honors, presentations
at meetings, and publications.
● Letter of support (1 page): Your thesis/dissertation advisor must provide a brief letter of support
commenting on the student’s research and confirming that the funds are necessary
Please contact nsapcs@gmail.com if you need more information.
