Scientific Translation of Research Knowledge (STORK) Grants provide funding to support the translation of research on migratory birds intended for publication in English-language peer-reviewed journals. The purpose of these grants is to reduce barriers to publishing for international researchers, and to aid in the distribution of information critical to the conservation of Neotropical migratory birds. U.S. NABCI selected two authors in the fall of 2024 as inaugural grant recipients.
Please read below the experience of one of our award winners, Miguel Matta Pereira:
“Thanks to the support of the STORK grant for NABCI, we received not only the professional translation of our manuscript to prepare it for submission to a high-impact journal in the field of Ornithology in the Americas, but also, because the translators presented experience publishing in scientific journals, their recommendations helped to synthesize complex ideas.
Our application was focused on organizing our research on the Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) in the Portachuelo Pass (Venezuela), work originally made out in Spanish, we work first to identify a journal and then adapt to their formats. The English translator will help us to have a higher impact in science and motivate other colleagues leading great projects and ideas based in Latin American and the Caribbean.
We studied the body condition of the Northern Waterthrush in the Portachuelo Pass in Venezuela and, based on its body fat, estimated its theoretical flight distance in kilometers. The average mass, body condition, and potential flight distance were not very biologically different between ages groups, but were statistically significant. In general, the individuals had low fat reserves, and we suggest that they would need additional refueling stops on their journey to the southern part of their non-breeding range. We hope to share more details soon about our results!
We are currently finalizing the final manuscript to apply to the target journal and we hope that with our experiences we can invite other early or advanced researchers to prepare a proposal and apply to the STORK grant. The process is simple and you will feel kindly accompanied throughout the process.”
Find out more information about STORK Grants here! (Español and Português)
All photographs courtesy of Miguel Matta Pereira