POTSDAM – The Walker Fellowship Program is again soliciting grant proposals for research on issues critical to North Country communities and recommendations for possible solutions.

Proposals are due by Jan. 16.

The Provost's Office and Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Potsdam administers the T. Urling and Mabel Walker Research Fellowship Program.

Faculty from the region's 11 institutions of higher education are encouraged to apply.

Those 11 institutions are Adirondack Community College, Clarkson University, Clinton Community College, Jefferson Community College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, North Country Community College, Paul Smith's College, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Canton, SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Potsdam.

Full- or part-time teaching and non-teaching faculty are eligible to apply.

One of the goals of the program is to promote greater community-academic cooperation. Proposals that include a strong statement of support from a local individual or organization that clearly explains how the community will benefit from the project results will be given preference.

Two research grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded this year. The Walker Fellowship Steering Committee will determine the amount of the award for each project.

In the past, funds have been used to pay a student assistant, support travel costs and purchase software and supplies. Only in limited cases have funds been used as a stipend for the researcher.

For further information and an application, call the Provost's Office at 267-2108 or visit www.potsdam.edu/faculty/research/walkerfellowship.cfm.