The Wilson Ornithological Society, established in 1888, is dedicated to uniting over 2000 individuals worldwide with a shared interest in ornithology. The Society honors Alexander Wilson, the Father of American Ornithology, by publishing a quarterly journal on the subject, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, and organizing annual meetings to foster community and knowledge sharing among enthusiasts and professionals alike.
The Wilson Ornithological Society grants program is designed to foster collaboration and mentoring relationships between faculty mentors and undergraduate students through ornithological research projects. Honoring Edward (“Jed”) H. Burtt, Jr., the grants aim to support the projects that best demonstrate a capacity for mentoring and collaborative research. Annually, up to two grants of $1,000 are awarded to selected research projects. Additionally, mentor-student teams are granted up to $2,000 to attend the Wilson Ornithological Society’s annual meeting to present their research findings. The program emphasizes the importance of the mentor’s role not only in guiding the research project but also in facilitating the students’ comprehensive participation at the conference, ensuring a valuable educational experience.