Ralph W. Stone Graduate Fellowship
Offered by National Speleological Society
About This Scholarship
The National Speleological Society — the United States' member organization for cavers and cave scientists — awards two Ralph W. Stone Graduate Fellowships of $2,000 each year to NSS members doing cave-related thesis research. The fellowship honors Ralph W. Stone, an early leader of American speleology, and it is one of the few dedicated funding sources for graduate work in cave and karst studies.
The research scope is broad: geology, hydrology, biology, archaeology, conservation, and any other discipline where the thesis is genuinely cave-related qualifies. Members pursuing graduate studies anywhere in the world may apply, and the $2,000 is applied toward research costs rather than tuition, so it functions like a small thesis grant.
Applications follow a standard research-proposal format: a project description of up to seven pages (plus two pages of literature cited), a resume with your NSS number, transcripts, a budget with justification, and at least two recommendation letters — one from your thesis advisor. Proposals are due March 15 each year, and electronic submission as a single PDF is encouraged.
Eligibility
- Must be a member of the National Speleological Society (join at caves.org)
- Currently pursuing graduate studies (master's or doctoral) at an institution anywhere in the world
- Thesis research must be cave-related (any discipline: geology, biology, hydrology, archaeology, conservation, and more)
- Funds are for research expenses, documented through a submitted budget
How To Apply
- Join the NSS if you are not already a member
- Prepare a project description (max 7 pages including figures/tables, plus up to 2 pages of literature cited), a resume with your NSS number, academic transcripts (unofficial accepted), and a budget with justification that lists other funders you have approached
- Arrange at least two letters of recommendation, including one from your thesis advisor, sent directly to the fellowship chairperson
- Combine everything except the letters into one PDF or Word file and submit electronically on or before March 15
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the fellowship and how many are given?
The NSS awards two fellowships per year at $2,000 each, applied toward cave-related thesis research costs.
Does my degree have to be in geology?
No. Any graduate thesis that is genuinely cave-related qualifies — biology, hydrology, archaeology, conservation science, and other disciplines are all eligible alongside geology.
Do I need to study in the United States?
No. NSS members pursuing graduate studies anywhere in the world are eligible, as long as they are members when they submit.