The Lindbergh Foundation has awarded eight Lindbergh grants to individuals around the world who are conducting research projects dedicated to finding innovative solutions to our global environmental challenges.
“The Lindbergh Grants program is an investment in people. We take great pride in the work of the researchers we support. By backing individuals who use scientific and educational innovations to address important environmental issues around the world we are putting balance into action,” said Foundation Chairman Larry Williams. “It’s gratifying to see the hard work and dedication of the researchers we support, knowing their work will benefit the world around us for generations to come.”
For 2010, applicants applied to one of 14 categories the Lindbergh Foundation offers. The eight grants awarded were in the following categories.
Aviation/Aerospace: Paul Slusser of Salt Lake City, Utah, will be “Silently Recording the Behavior of Endangered Right Whales Using Radio-Controlled Hyperblimp Airships.”
Conservation – Animal, General (land, air, energy, etc.), Plant or Water: Maminirina Randrianandrasana from the University of Illinois in Urbana, Ill. will be “Investigating Wild Silkworm Production to Conserve Rural Communities and Forests in Madagascar.”
Dr. Joe Reczek from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, will be “Developing Liquid Crystal Solar Cells to Promote Clean, Efficient and Affordable Energy.”
Stephanie Mixson from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., will research “Conserving Energy and Freshwater by Harnessing Novel Saltwater Algae as a Biofuel Source.”
Thomas Shapland from the University of California at Davis will research for “Conserving Global Water Resources by Developing Inexpensive Technology to Measure Crop Water Demand.”
Health and Population: Dr. Kristen Jellison from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., will explore how to “Optimize the Biosand Filter for Treating Household Drinking Water in Developing Countries.”
Intercultural Communication: Dr. Lekelia “Kiki” Jenkins of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Silver Springs, Md., hopes to “Identify Best Practices for Promoting Cross-Cultural Adoption of Marine Conservation Technologies.”
Waste Minimization and Management: Dr. Ulrike Kappler from The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld., Australia, will explore ways to “Remediate Australian Urban Sulfur Pollution Using Extremophilic Bacteria from Soda Lakes.”
As an unknown in aviation, Charles Lindbergh struggled to find the financial backing he needed to pursue his dream of making a non-stop, solo flight from New York to Paris in 1927. “The Lindbergh Foundation Grants Program identifies and supports highly creative and dedicated researchers from around the world and provides them with the same opportunity for success as Charles Lindbergh received. That’s why the Lindbergh Grant is set at $10,580, the cost to build the Spirit of St. Louis,” said Gregg Maryniak, chairman of the grants committee and vice chairman of the foundation. “Many of our grant recipients are ‘unknown’ in their fields, too. For them, receiving a Lindbergh Grant provides much-needed credibility to their work and typically enables our recipients to secure additional funding, providing them with valuable leverage.”
Lindbergh grant applications undergo a rigorous five-step review process focused on evaluations by two independent all volunteer review groups, including a 48-member Technical Review Panel. This international panel is comprised of knowledgeable individuals drawn from the various fields in which Lindbergh grants are made.
The annual deadline for Lindbergh Grant applications is the second Thursday in June. Those who are interested in receiving an application for funding in 2011 should contact the Lindbergh Foundation, 2150 Third Avenue North, Suite 310, Anoka, Minn., 55303-2200; 763-576-1596. For more information: Lindberghfoundation.org.
