The Smith Fund
Open 10/29/2025
The Smith Fund Grant Program: Mission and Application Guidelines
Background
The Smith Fund was established in 1963 by Alexander H. and Helen V. Smith to support the publication of the Special Publications of the Michigan Botanical Society and The Great Lakes Botanist, beyond the support regularly provided by the Michigan Botanical Society.
In September 2025, the Board of Directors of the Michigan Botanical Society expanded the mission of the Smith Fund beyond publication support. The Fund now supports a broader range of activities, including research, education, conservation, and the development and distribution of printed, electronic, and other educational materials that align with the mission of the Michigan Botanical Society and advance the conservation of Michigan’s native flora and ecosystems.
The Smith Fund is administered by the Smith Fund Committee of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Botanical Society.
Mission
The Smith Fund supports and advances botanical research, educational publications, and related initiatives that enhance the understanding and preservation of Michigan’s native flora and ecosystems. Through grants and strategic support, including ongoing contributions to The Great Lakes Botanist and other specialized projects beyond the scope of the Michigan Botanical Society, the Fund seeks to strengthen the impact and reach of Michigan’s botanical community.
Grant Application Guidelines
Funding Goals
To help fulfill the mission of the Smith Fund, grants may be awarded to support research-based and community-based initiatives that advance knowledge, conservation, and public appreciation of Michigan’s flora.
Funding will be considered for the following types of projects:
Research Projects
Projects involving the study of Michigan plants, including but not limited to:
State- or federally listed (rare, threatened, or endangered) species
Competition between invasive and native species
Floristic surveys
Environmental Projects
Projects with one or more of the following objectives:
Raising public awareness of Michigan’s flora
Preserving, reclaiming, or restoring native habitats
Educational Initiatives
Workshops, institutes, conferences, and exhibits
Student scholarships for attendance at botanical conferences or other educational programs
Grants may be awarded in full or in part, depending on available funding and alignment with the mission of the Smith Fund. All funded projects must demonstrate educational value related to Michigan’s flora.
General Overview
Geographic preference is given to projects conducted within Michigan; however, projects within the broader Great Lakes region may also be considered.
Applicants may request up to $3,000 in funding.
Grant applications are accepted throughout the calendar year. Funds become available on January 1 of each year, and total grant distributions are limited to $6,000.00 annually. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be distributed until all available funds for the year have been exhausted.All applications must be submitted electronically as PDF files to the current Chair of the Smith Fund.
Each Principal Investigator is limited to one Smith Fund grant per calendar year.
Mileage reimbursement will be provided at the current IRS standard mileage rate (currently $0.725 per mile).
Applicants should allow at least six weeks for review and processing. All applicants will receive written notification of the funding decision.
Requests for additional information may extend the review timeline.
The standard grant period is one year from the date of award. Projects requiring additional time may request a one-year extension as described under “Expectations of Grant Recipients.”
Guidelines for Completing Your Application
All grant applications must include the following components:
1. Cover Letter
A brief cover letter (maximum one page) that includes:
A description of the proposed project
A statement indicating whether partial funding would be acceptable
Complete contact information for the applicant
2. Qualifications and Supporting Documentation
Provide evidence of the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the proposed project. Supporting materials may include:
Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé of the applicant(s)
Description of experience with relevant techniques or methods
Publications or documentation of previous projects
Brochures, advertisements, or other materials related to proposed community events or programs
Student applicants (undergraduate or graduate) must include a letter of support from a faculty advisor (maximum one page).
3. Project Proposal
Provide a detailed description of the proposed project (maximum two pages, including references and figures), addressing:
Project objectives and significance
How the project aligns with the mission and funding goals of the Smith Fund
Anticipated start and completion dates
Expected outcomes or deliverables
Voucher Specimens
The Smith Fund follows the voucher specimen guidelines of The Great Lakes Botanist. If plant identification is important to the results of a study (e.g., floristic surveys), voucher specimens must be collected and deposited in a recognized herbarium.
A plan for the collection and deposition of voucher specimens, when applicable, should be included in the proposal. Applicants should identify the herbarium or herbaria where specimens will be deposited.
For a complete explanation of voucher specimen requirements, see: [insert link].
Budget and Budget Justification
Provide a detailed budget and budget justification (maximum two pages), including:
Amount requested from the Smith Fund
Other funding sources being pursued
Funding already secured or received
If the project is part of a larger effort (e.g., a Ph.D. dissertation or multi-year project), preference will be given to proposals that clearly define the specific component of the work to be supported by the Smith Fund.
Funding Limitations
The Smith Fund generally will not provide funding for:
Labor, salary, or employee benefits, except when funding specialized services or products that are outside the capabilities or responsibilities of the Michigan Botanical Society
College or university tuition
Materials or equipment typically provided by an applicant’s academic institution
Payment to others for conducting or preparing the applicant’s research
Indirect costs (e.g., institutional overhead)
Private businesses or for-profit organizations
Legal fees
Projects unlikely to be completed within the proposed timeline
Expectations of Grant Recipients
By accepting a Smith Fund grant, recipients:
Agree to abide by the terms outlined in these guidelines and the official award letter.
Acknowledge the Smith Fund’s authority to withhold, reduce, or recover funds that are misused or remain unused.
Recipients are expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:
A. Maintain Contact Information
Maintain a current email address and promptly notify the Chair of the Smith Fund of any changes.
B. Acknowledge Support
Acknowledge Smith Fund support in all publications, presentations, press releases, educational materials, and other products resulting from the funded project. Copies of resulting publications or materials should be provided to the Chair of the Smith Fund.
C. Submit a Final Report
Within one month of project completion, submit a final report (maximum two pages) that includes:
A summary of project outcomes
A financial accounting of grant expenditures
Any significant products, findings, or accomplishments resulting from the project
D. Submit an Article for Arisaema
Within six months of project completion, submit a brief article for possible publication in Arisaema, the newsletter of the Michigan Botanical Society. The article should:
Be no longer than one page (8.5 × 11 inches), including images
Describe the project and its outcomes
Explain how Smith Fund support contributed to the work
Highlight how the project advanced the mission of the Smith Fund
E. Dissemination of Results
Grant recipients are encouraged to share the results of their projects with the broader botanical community. Depending on the nature of the project, appropriate dissemination may include:
Submission of research findings to The Great Lakes Botanist or another peer-reviewed publication
Presentations at meetings, conferences, workshops, or educational programs
Development of educational materials, exhibits, or outreach resources
Sharing project outcomes through Michigan Botanical Society publications, events, or communication channels
Recipients conducting scientific research are especially encouraged to consider submitting their findings to The Great Lakes Botanist, the Society’s peer-reviewed journal.
F. Annual Status Reports and Extensions
Projects not completed within the initial one-year grant period must submit a brief status report no later than the end of the grant period. The report should summarize:
Progress made to date
Expenditures incurred
Remaining work
Anticipated completion date
If additional time is needed, recipients may request a one-year extension at the time the status report is submitted. Additional one-year extensions may be requested annually, subject to approval by the Smith Fund Committee.
Projects receiving extensions remain subject to the final reporting requirements described above upon completion.
G. Timing of Reports
Since the Smith Fund deadlines for the Final Report and Arisaema article are based on the actual project completion date, you won't know those due dates until the project is completed:
Final Report Due: Within 1 month after project completion.
Arisaema Article Due: Within 6 months after project completion.
Status Report Due: 1 year after the project is accepted only if the project is not complete by then.
Extension Request: Submitted with the Status Report if additional time is needed.
Formatting Requirements
All submitted documents, including cover letters, project proposals, reports, and articles, must:
Adhere to the page limitations specified in these guidelines
Be single-spaced
Use Times New Roman, 12-point font