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Odonate Research Grant Program

Grant Description

The DSA Odonate Research Grant Program awards small grants (up to $1000) to help pay expenses for odonate research in the DSA focal region (New World). A committee (Chris Beatty [chair], Steve Collins, Ami Thompson and Melissa Sanchez) will evaluate grant proposals for 2026 on the basis of scientific importance, feasibility, and clarity.

Instructions on how to apply are found in the members area.

Please consider donating to support the DSA Odonate Research Grant Program!

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is eligible to apply for a grant?

A. Any member of DSA is eligible! (In previous years, grants were restricted to U.S. residents; we now are able to extend grants to non-U.S. members. DSA will use Paypal and cover the modest international payment transfer fee.)

Q. New for 2021: What makes for a successful proposal?

A. Past grants that have received funding have had a compelling argument about the broad importance of the proposed work, clearly articulated objectives, and a plan of work that was appropriate towards meeting those objectives. For applicants for whom English is not their native language, we strongly suggest having your proposal proof-read prior to submitting it. As of last year, we provide feedback to each proposal that was not recommended for funding.

Q. Can a person who has received a DSA grant in the past be eligible in the future?

A. Yes, recipients can receive multiple grants as long as the obligations outlined below are met for each grant.

Q. How much can be requested, and how many grants will be awarded?

A. The maximum amount that can be requested is US $1000. We will dispense no more than $3000/year, so the number of awards each year will depend on the number of meritorious proposals received and the amounts requested by those proposals.

Q. How will the funds be awarded, and are there any restrictions on what can be covered?

A. Awards will be made by Paypal. Because DSA is a non-profit organization, awards cannot be used for salary (can only be used for travel, services, supplies, or equipment).

Q. What obligations are associated with receiving a grant?

A. Awardees must submit a progress report to the DSA Executive Committee within two years of the grant award; failure to do so will render the recipient ineligible for any future DSA grants. Awardees are strongly encouraged to give a presentation at a DSA meeting or submit a paper to ARGIA or the Bulletin of Odonatology within two years of project completion.

Q. How can I donate to the DSA Odonate Research Grant Program?

A. Please contact the DSA Treasurer at treasurer@dragonflysocietyamericas.org. Thank you for your support of this program, which is made possible by donations from our members!

Past Recipients

2026

Yesenia M. Vega Sánchez: Phylogenomics and evolution of the subfamily Pseudostigmatinae (Odonata: Zygoptera)

Jaq Reed: The 2x4 Survey Method: Establishing a Standard Protocol for Odonate Nymph Collection and Assessment in Lotic Environments/Designation of a Neotype and Nymphal Description of the Mountain River Cruiser (Macromia margarita)

Araseli Elme Tumpay: Three Decades Later: Dragonfly Diversity and Conservation Across the Andean–Amazonian Gradient of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru

2025

Yusdiel Torres: Recovering the Cuban national damselfly

Florencia Andechaga: Diversity and conservation of the order Odonata (Class: Insecta) in the Pampas of Argentina

Christiana Mojica: Revitalizing the San Diego Natural History Museum's Unique Odonata Collection Through Digitization and Rehousing

2024

Stephanie Allen: Phenology, imperfect detection, and habitat occupancy of three endangered riverine dragonflies: Implications for monitoring and conservation.

Peter Dixon: Southern Appalachians Clubtail Mapping Project

Ethan Tolman: Identifying the genomic basis of semi-terrestriality in petaltail dragonflies (Anisoptera: Petaluridae)

Jordi Vilanova i Broto: Is dragonfly fecal content a viable alternative to eDNA and malaise trap to sample flying insects?

Dylan Powell: The effect of early life stage competition between Enallagma signatum and Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) on intraguild predation later in ontogeny

2023

Yiselle Cano Cobos. Phylogenetic systematics of Oxyagrion and Acanthagrion (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) using a combined approach of molecular and morphological data.

Ana M. Hernandez Vazquez. Abundance, population genetic and ecological aspects of the endemic species Protoneura capilaris, Neoneura maria and Neoneura carnatica in western Cuba.

Cristian Mendoza. Morphological and molecular analysis of the tenuissima group species complex (Coenagrionidae: Psaironeura): cryptic diversity or high morphological variability?

 Emily Schilling. Piecing together the migration pathway of Aeshna canadensis (Canada darner) dragonflies.

2022

Angel Solis: Seasonal migration of two Odonata species from north to south, Pantala flavescens and P. hymenea, in a biogeographical bridge.

Daniela Ayala Sánchez: Genetic and morphological analysis to clarify phylogenetic relationship within Euthore Selys, 1869 (Odonata: Polythoridae).

Hanna Wojtysiak: Nymphal habitat selection in the Calverts Emerald, Stomachlora calverti (Odonata: Corduliidae).

 Nick & Ailsa Donnelly Fellowship

The Nick and Ailsa Donnelly fellowship promotes and facilitates the attendance of colleagues to DSA annual meetings by paying up to $1,000 per awardee for travel and travel-related expenses. Preference is given to Latin American colleagues and students. More than one award may be given per year at the discretion of a committee made up of members of the DSA Executive Council. Funds in the fellowship that are not awarded for travel may be used for research, educational, and outreach activities that have as their primary purpose promoting the knowledge of Odonata of the New World. Preference is given to graduate students conducting odonate research. The committee will accept applications for travel and research grants and make awards based on merit and potential for successful research leading to publication. Awardees of a travel grant must make a presentation at the annual DSA meeting, and awardees of a research grant will be encouraged to present their findings at a DSA annual meeting and to publish in a peer-reviewed journal such as the Bulletin of American Odonatology.

If you would like to apply, please send an email to Rodolfo Novelo Gutiérrez, with the title and abstract of your talk or poster, a brief statement indicating your financial need, and a CV or resume. Deadline for each year is April 1, unless otherwise stated. Other members of the selection committee include Marion Dobbs and Colin Jones.

Past Recipients

2009 - Jason Bried & Richard Groover
2012 - Fredy Palacino
2014 - Tim Vogt
2015 - Kristen Numata & Jason Bried
2016 - Emily Sandall