The grant was created in honor of Oscar Beingolea, who dedicated his life to the study and conservation of raptors across the Americas. Beingolea's work spanned multiple countries, focusing on raptor breeding biology, migration, and conservation, emphasizing species like the Peregrine Falcon and Bicolored Hawk. His contributions included pioneering falconry methods, breeding rare raptor species, and extensive field research aimed at preserving raptors and their habitats. The mission reflects a commitment to continuing his legacy through supporting research that addresses ecological and evolutionary questions about raptors.
The William C. Andersen Memorial Award recognizes the best student oral and poster presentations at the annual Raptor Research Foundation (RRF) meeting. The award encourages student involvement in raptor research by offering financial rewards and membership benefits to winners. Eligibility is limited to students who are senior authors and presenters of their work, and the award is restricted to one per student per degree level. The selection process involves submitting an extended abstract, from which the best submissions are chosen for presentation. The Award underscores the importance of quality research, effective scientific communication, and relevance of findings in the broader context of raptor conservation.