Anza-Borrego Foundation administers grants that encourage research in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Colorado Desert for students and professionals. We award the following competitive research grants annually.
The Anza-Borrego Foundation is pleased to announce two competitive grants: the Howie Wier Memorial Conservation Grant and the Paul Jorgensen Research Grant. Each grant will award $2,500 annually to researchers (with a priority for students) conducting field studies in ecology, systematics, evolutionary biology and conservation biology. Grants are designed to assist with travel, supplies, equipment and other costs associated with field work (refer to Grant Application for allowable costs).
Proposals will be evaluated for scholarly merit, project design and feasibility, and contribution to the future of conservation in the region. Researchers must obtain all necessary permits prior to conducting field research.
Proposals are due on December 15 of each year and awards will be announced in January or February of each year.
The Wier Grant assists graduate students conducting field studies in the Colorado Desert and Peninsular Range region of southern California.
Harold A. “Howie” Wier (1952-2001) was a native San Diegan and a lifelong naturalist. He worked as a biological consultant and conservation biologist throughout Southern California. He was active in the California Native Plant Society, a past President of San Diego Audubon and a long-time member of the Anza-Borrego Foundation. This grant program was established by Anza-Borrego Foundation with the help of Howie’s family, friends and colleagues as a fitting tribute to Howie’s passion.
The Jorgensen Grant assists graduate students, post-graduate researchers or professionals conducting field studies within the Colorado Desert and Peninsular Ranges of southern California. Research within State Parks of the region will receive special consideration in the award process.
Paul D. Jorgensen (1946-2012) was born in San Diego and spent his life enjoying the diverse ecosystems of the region. He surfed the coast, studied wildlife on the Channel Islands, managed the Tijuana National Estuarine Sanctuary, and worked as a State Park Resource Ecologist in the Colorado Desert District of California State Parks. Paul was passionate about bird research and restoring local ecosystems. Paul was always grateful for a grant he received while in college to carry out his field work on the light-footed clapper rail. This grant is given in his memory as a fitting way to carry on his passion and legacy.
Download the application by clicking the icon above.
Applications due by December 15 of each year.
The Begole Archaeological Research Grant (BARG) program is designed to support scientific archaeological research in Colorado Desert District (CDD) parks and in other areas of the California and Baja California Desert regions that may have direct connections with or scientific applications to CDD parks.
Two grants are available annually. Funds requested can be up to $5,000 for each research project. There are no restrictions on research proposal topics, as long as they are archaeological in scope and/or focus. Priority may be given to original research dealing with the earliest periods of prehistory. Applicants may be registered undergraduate or graduate students, faculty and/or titled researchers at academic institutions, staff of federal, state or county agencies, employed in the private cultural resource management sector or independent scholars.
The BARG is funded through an endowment created by pioneering Anza-Borrego Desert State Park archaeologist Robert S. Begole.
Available for download now.
Available for download now.
Available for download now.
The deadline for proposal submissions is June 1, 2025.
All applicants will be notified by January 31, 2025.
Please direct questions to Stacy Valdez at stacy@theabf.org.
The Paleontology Society Educational Support Program provides grant support to its members, State Park staff, scientists and scholars pursuing educational or research activities relevant to paleontology in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and its surrounding region. Applications for grants have no deadline.
Available for download now.
For grants less than $250. Available for download now.
Open year-round
