
E. Alexander Bergstrom (1919-1973) was Vice-President of the Northeastern Bird-Banding Association (now the Association of Field Ornithologists) and the Editor of Bird-Banding (now the Journal of Field Ornithology) for 21 years. These awards honor his memory and dedication to bird research. The purpose of the award is to promote field studies of birds by helping to support a specific research or analysis project. In judging among proposals of equal quality, special consideration will be given to those that:
focus on avian life history
use data collected all or in part by non-professionals and/or
employ banding or other marking techniques. Research in both the U.S./Canada and Latin America is supported.
If possible, awardees, especially those receiving U.S./Canada awards, are expected to present the results of their research at an annual meeting of the Association of Field Ornithologists. All awardees are also encouraged to consider publishing some of their findings in the Journal of Field Ornithology.
Eligibility
The applicant and/or their primary research supervisor must be a member of the Association of Field Ornithologists prior to the application deadline. To become a member, please visit https://afo.wildapricot.org/join-us.
U.S./Canada awards are aimed at people beginning their research or those with limited or no access to major funding. They are restricted to non-professionals, undergraduates, and Masters degree candidates working in the United States or Canada. Ph.D. students studying at U.S. and Canadian institutions, regardless of their nationality or geographic region of investigation, are NOT eligible to receive a Bergstrom Research Award.
Latin American awards are restricted to individuals based AT Latin American institutions (individuals from Latin American that are studying or working at a U.S. or Canadian institution are eligible for U.S./Canada awards only). Non-professionals, undergraduates, Masters and Ph.D. candidates are all eligible for the Latin American competition.
Frequency and value
Approximately five awards (maximum $1500 US each) are made to applicants working in the U.S. or Canada annually. Approximately five awards (maximum $1500 US each) are made to applicants based in Latin America. Individuals may wish to consider using some of their award to purchase mist nets and other supplies used in ornithological research from the AFO. A list of supplies available can be found at Avinet Research Supplies.
Applying for an award
Applicants must arrange to have one letter of reference e-mailed directly from the referee to Cecilia Kopuchian, Chair of the Bergstrom Awards Committee at: ckopuchian@gmail.com. Please contact the Chair if you have further questions about the Bergstrom Award.
U.S./Canada applications should be submitted in English. Latin American applications may be submitted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
You can now apply online!
Deadlines for receipt of applications
U.S./Canada applications are typically due 15 January (extended to February 15th for 2022). Latin American applications are due 15 July.