For last- year undergraduated and graduate students and postdoctoral scientists in the fields of plant ecophysiology, forest ecology and ecosystem ecology.

The statute of Prof. Olevi Kull’s Memorial Fund

1.      The capital of the Memorial Fund (hereafter Fund) will be derived from the donations made to Tartu University Foundation in memory of Prof. Olevi Kull.

2.      The goal of the Fund is to provide travel stipends for last-year undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral scientists in the fields of plant ecophysiology, forest ecology, and ecosystem ecology, to attend international conferences, or to conduct research at foreign research institutions. The stipend is designed to facilitate the involvement of Estonian students in ecological research, motivate them to pursue a career in science, help establish international contacts, and promote understanding of world science. The stipend must advance Estonian forest ecology research on global scale. Foreign scientists may also apply for travel support from the Fund if they propose to lecture and interact with Estonian ecology students.

3.      The Endowment Fund will be managed by Tartu University Foundation. Investment decisions are made by portfolio administrator* according to the investment declaration issued by the Foundation, and approved by the Trustees of the Foundation. To cover the operating costs of the Fund, the Foundation charges a one-time fee of 8-10% to each incoming donation, based on rates defined in its statute**.

4.      If the donations made by December 31, 2007 do not reach 250,000 EEK, and do not afford the establishment of a self-renewing Fund, the entire sum will be extended over one or more years to support the attendance of qualified final-year graduate students at international conferences. Planned presentation of the applicant’s research would be a prerequisite for support. The overhead to the Foundation will be 5% in this scenario.

5.      The annual stipends will be paid from the interest of the invested base capital, and will not exceed 5% of the net capital. The exception to this is situation outlined in point 4.

6.      If the investment return of the Fund does not allow annual awards, then the interest will be added to the base capital and the award will be issued the following year.

7.      The governing body of the Foundation will inform the trustees of the Foundation and the founders of the Fund of the amount available for awards one month before the announcement of the annual competition.

8.      The competition for stipends is announced by Tartu University and the governing body of the Foundation in newspapers Universitas Tartuensis (the University’s newspaper) and Postimees (a national newspaper, headquartered in Tartu) one month before the deadline for applications.

9.      The deadline for the application is April 1^st or November 1^st. The awards will be announced in the beginning of May or December of the same year.

10.  The candidates must submit the following to the governing body of the Foundation:

• Application for the stipend (form by the Foundations);
• Curriculum Vitae;
•  Recommendation from two faculty members (including one from the Head of the institute);
• Overview of planned research activities, and an explanation about how it will support the mission of the award (up to 3 pages);
• Proof of presenting ones work at the international conference, or invitation from the hosting university or research institution that the student will visit;
• Complete budget of anticipated expenses (including travel);
• List of other sources of support and the amounts received.                                              

11.  The candidate may apply for and be granted the award more than once if they have fulfilled all obligations in front of the Foundation regarding all prior awards, and they are elected through the general competition.

12.  The applications are ranked by the stipend committee, comprising of:

• 1 representative of the Institute of Botany and Ecology of Tartu University, or its legal successor (the Head of the Institute, or a substitute appointed by the Head);
•  family representative;
• 1-2 Estonian colleagues representative
• 1-2 foreign colleagues. 

13.  The stipend committee reviews all submitted applications, decides the number of awards and the division of the funds available for awards, and proposes the candidates to the Trustees of the Tartu University Foundation for approval.

14.  The awards are issued based on the applicants professional achievements, the level of research (considering their academic rank), and social service. In the case of two otherwise equal applications, preference is given to younger candidates, and projects that lead to publication in internationally refereed journals (ISI).

15.  The Trustees of the Tartu University Foundation approve:

• The amount available for awards based on the investment interest, one month before announcing the competition;
•  The awardees based on the recommendations from the stipend committee.

16.  The awardees will provide a written report to the Foundation about the use of the award within six months from the date of the award.

17.  The awardees will provide a detailed written report to the stipend committee, or an open professional seminar, the written summary of which can serve as the written report, within four months after the completion of the trip.

18.  In case the submitted applications do not meet the standards established by the stipend committee, no awards will be issued, and the funds available for awards will be added to the base capital.

19.  Tartu University Foundation will inform the public about the awardees via national news media.

Supporters:

• Nina Buchmann
• Elina Vapaavuori
• Martin Zobel and gifts from his birthday party (aprox. 50 person)
• Edgar Karofeld
• Asko Noormets
• Andres Koppel
• Lauri Ilmari Korhonen
• Anne Aan
• Sune Linder
• Tomas Lundmark
• Johan Bergh 
• Tiina Randlane
• Hardi Tullus
• Kalle and Kristel Kirsimäe
• Doris Waring
• Kalevi Kull
• Ebe Merilo
• Kristina Ahnlund Ulvcrona
• Otilia Johansson
• Ram Oren
• Sari Palmroth
• Tiina and Peeter Noeges
• University of Southampton
• Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza
• Meelis Partel
• Juhani Pytsepp
• Eve Eensalu
• Ruth Kotsar
• Toomas Frey
• Tonu Meidla
• Jaan Mati Punning
• Helen Karu
• Korp. Ugala
• Institute of Ecology University of Tallinn
• Tiiu Kull
• Ylo Niinemets
• Margus Pensa
• Malle Leht
• Jaak and Kiira Aaviksoo
• Mrs and Mr Jarvis
• Anu Sober
• Tiit Nilson
• Urmas Peterson
• Kalle Olli
• David Karnosky
• Andres Eensoo
• Krista Lõhmus
• Peter Frenzel
• Priit Kupper
• Andres Kollist

• 2008  -   Ingmar Tulva        13 000 krons