The Maryland Avian Research & Conservation (MARC) Fund for Youth was launched at the Maryland Bird Conservation Symposium in January 2019. This fund is the first of its kind in Maryland, and possibly the Mid-Atlantic, that empowers youth to conduct avian research or conservation.

Projects must include one or more of the 143 Species of Greatest Conservation Need as documented in Maryland's State Wildlife Action Plan. The project can take place on the breeding or non-breeding grounds for the selected species. The amount of a grant will vary based on funds availability and project scope. All awardees will be required to submit an article about their project to the MOS newsletter The Maryland Yellowthroat, the MOS journal Maryland Birdlife, or another approved publication. The MARC Committee will select grant recipients and will provide assistance with the application process and project design, if needed.

Through the generosity of the Maryland Bird Conservation Symposium’s sponsors we raised $3,000 for the MARC Fund! And now, proceeds after expenses from Frontiers in Ornithology: A Symposium for Youth will go to three youth-focused conservation and education programs. The MARC Fund has been selected as one of this year’s programs! Attendees will vote for one of the programs. The funds will be distributed, based on the attendees’ votes, 50%-30%-20% to the three programs.

To contribute to the MARC Fund, make a donation at our PayPal site with the notation “MARC Fund”. And consider becoming a sponsor of Frontiers in Ornithology: A Symposium for Youth. ALL donations support Maryland youth!

If you are interested in applying for a grant, please visit our FAQ page first.