‍ The University of Pittsburgh’s Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology (PLE) invites applications for Grants in Aid of Research. PLE is a vibrant research and education facility located on Lake Pymatuning in Northwest Pennsylvania. PLE's research facilities are spread across 350 acres and include access to a variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (https://www.ple.pitt.edu/ple-research). Its 10,000+ square feet of laboratory facilities include a field laboratory adjacent to an open field that can be used for large-scale replicated experiments, a modern molecular laboratory, and facilities for animal, plant, and aquatic studies.

‍Research Grants are intended to support researchers in the early stages of their ecological and evolutionary research programs on work done at PLE. Grant proposals are submitted each year in February and several awards are made, generally not exceeding $5,000. Most awards go to graduate students, but consideration will be given to recent Ph.D.’s and more senior researchers interested in initiating new work at PLE. The due date for grant proposals is Monday, February 23, 2026. 

‍Please visit our website for further details about the application process:

‍https://www.ple.pitt.edu/research/fellowships-and-grants/ple-research-grants

‍For more information about these programs or research opportunities at PLE, please contact the Director, Dr. Cori Richards-Zawacki (cori.zawacki@pitt.edu).

‍The University of Pittsburgh's Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology (PLE) is pleased to offer the Frank J. Schwartz Early Career Research Fellowship of up to $10,000 plus up to three months of station fees and residency costs for the primary investigator (PI). PLE is a vibrant research and education facility located on Lake Pymatuning in Northwest Pennsylvania. PLE's research facilities are spread across 350 acres and include access to a variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Its 10,000+ square feet of laboratory facilities include a field laboratory adjacent to an open field that can be used for large-scale replicated experiments, a modern molecular laboratory, and facilities for animal, plant and aquatic studies.

This opportunity is open to researchers holding PhD degrees in any science discipline that can benefit from PLE's resources (https://www.ple.pitt.edu/ple-research). The purpose of the fellowship is to permit researchers to explore new projects or collect preliminary data. Fellowship funds can be used at the PI's discretion to facilitate the research but not for PI compensation. Preference will be given to individuals and projects with the potential to develop into long-term research activities at PLE. We especially encourage applications from individuals in the postdoctoral or early faculty phases of their careers, but researchers holding PhD degrees at all stages of their careers are also encouraged to apply.

‍ Information on the application procedure and format can be found at https://www.ple.pitt.edu/research/fellowships-and-grants/schwartz-early-career-research-fellowship. The deadline for submission is Monday,February 23, 2026.

For more information about these programs or research opportunities at PLE, please contact the Director, Dr. Cori Richards-Zawacki (cori.zawacki@pitt.edu).

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