IAFICS recently instituted a Student Research Grant Program to encourage undergraduate and graduate-level research into Quaternary flood geology. This is an excellent effort to encourage research that fits extremely well and is consistent with the IAFI Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Recognizing the vision and leadership of the IAFICS program and its consistency with our stated goals, I propose that the larger IAFI organization adopt an expanded program to additionally encourage education, scholarship and research throughout our larger four state area of interest. There are numerous advantages to the organization that can result from this program, such as:
- Providing much needed support to K-12 teachers for Floods-related curriculum supplies and materials.
- Encouraging interest and dedication in students and researchers to advance the Ice Age Floods story, and to become an integral part of our organization itself.
- Providing tangible programs and results that encourage and recognize contributions from our donors while garnering pride and admiration for our organization and our entire membership.
- Providing a pipeline of speakers, presentations and field trips led by grant recipients.
As a practical guide to doing this I contacted the board of the (presumed smaller) Central Oregon Geoscience Society, which has an existing program of educational, scholarship and research grants. Their response:
Most of our funds for our educational outreach come from members that make donations. Members can donate to our general fund, or specifically to either our K-12 educational program, or to the student research program. Our members have been quite generous to the K-12 program and student research program and we have received a few $1000 each year in donations. The specified donation funds are then restricted to the specified program.
In addition, our general fund budget (that is funded by dues and some unrestricted donations) includes:
- A) $400 to the K-12 program – presentations, field trips, demonstrations, materials, as requested from schools, and other organizations in the area that support K-12 events. We have 12 volunteers that assist.
- B) $200 scholarship (for K-12 teachers if they need some training money). We have not yet awarded any teaching scholarships.
- C) $1500 to the student research grant program
Our student research program funds student projects focussed on Oregon, including undergraduate, masters, and phd. Typically sample analysis and field work expenses that is not already funded by other grants. In some cases, if justified, we will consider expenses for presentation of results. We encourage students to share results with our organization, with a talk, field trip, poster session.
We send out notices to various organizations with a deadline to apply (March-Early April). This involves submitting a brief proposal (a couple of pages) project objectives with supporting citations and a budget with timeline, a resume, and they must have their advisor to send a letter of recommendation.
We set up an ad hoc review committee of 4-5 people to review (typically Education committee and board members) and approve the grant. Sometimes we go back to the student with additional questions. Typically we make grants in the $500-$1000 but there is no set limit and it depends on the scope of the project and quality. We have been approving in the range of 3-6 projects each year. Some PhD projects have submitted and been funded for a second year.
I firmly believe that our generous membership similarly can, and will, fully fund such a program completely through their donations. In addition, IAFI and some of our chapters have accumulated sufficient resources to independently contribute for specific grants and scholarships.
I suggest we start by appointing 3 committed board members at the September board meeting to design the program, establish the application and review procedures, and offer their proposals to the board at our October meeting.That will give us time to create a website presence and make an announcement to the membership through our mid-October newsletter.. We can then recruit a 3-5 member committee familiar with research and/or teaching needs to review, evaluate and recommend proposals and recipients.
I suggest we use our website, newsletter, email blasts, radio and press releases to introduce, advertise and accept proposal applications. If possible, we should try to offer our first assistance grants early in 2026.
I suggest we launch with a first year pilot program of $3000-$5000 initially funded by IAFI, to establish our commitment to the program in the eyes of our members. If successful, we might allocate 10% (~$2000) of the IAFI portion of membership dues on an ongoing basis, and actively encourage grant-targeted donations to maintain a similar commitment level. We should review the commitment of funds each year to align with other IAFI expenses and with membership and donor income so we don’t risk bankrupting the organization.
I suggest we offer assistance for K-12 education materials in the $100-$500 range, and high school, undergrad and graduate research grants in the $500-$2500 range. The assistance and grants should be spread as widely and equitably throughout our 4-state region as applications and projects warrant.
I suggest we track the program effectiveness through measurable outcomes such as applications received, projects funded, donor participation rates, presentations and field trips given for at least two different chapters as part of the requirements for research grants. This program may also help recruit new research and field trip leaders into the organization and IAFI/Chapter boards.
Proposed in August, 2025 by Lloyd DeKay, President – Columbia River Gorge Chapter