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Proposing Research
The Director (tkeithlu@sewanee.edu) will gladly discuss the suitability of a research proposal with you. Be aware that he will not share your interest with others nor will he review your proposal. All research on the island has to meet the criterion of being better pursued on the island than elsewhere. First proposals are usually for relatively brief (less than a year) studies. They usually are staffed by one researcher with perhaps an assistant, and may involve visits of up to several months.
Proposals are submitted by two routes. If funding for travel and food (housing is supplied in all cases) is needed, a rather simple submission is made to the St. Catherine’s island Foundation using its form. The application is first reviewed by the Science Advisory Committee. If funding as well as approval is needed, it is also reviewed by the American Museum of Natural History. The museum makes small grants from funds supplied by the foundation each year. The grants typically cover direct expenses but not equipment such as binoculars and laptop computers.
Once funded or approved, time on the island is scheduled with the Superintendent subject to available housing. There are twenty guest beds on the island, all in double rooms, with small groups rotating in and out every few days. There are no provisions for exceeding this number of guests by camping or crowding into cabins. Day commuting to the island is theoretically possible, but proposals that exceed available housing on the island will not be approved. Guests then either meet the boats travelling to the island each day or arrange to be met at the Savannah Airport. Guests bring their own food, paid for through their grants, and are responsible for their own cooking.