The Henry Houghton Fund
Henry Houghton served
for 25 years as Head of the Department of Meteorology (which
became the Department of Meteorology and Physical
Oceanography). During that long period, the Department
established an unsurpassed standard of excellence in these
fields.
On his death, Prof.
Houghton left the bulk of his estate to the new
Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences to
establish the Henry Houghton Fund. The Houghton bequest is for
“support of research by students in the fields of meteorology
and physical oceanography or for any other purpose that enhances
and enriches the total educational experience of such students.”
The Houghton Fund Committee has interpreted this language to
include also most aspects of the study of climate.
The
Houghton Fund Committee supports several specific PAOC-wide
activities:
1. The Henry
G.
Houghton Lecture Series.
Distinguished
visitors are invited from outside MIT to spend periods of time
here,
ranging from about one week to several months. Usually, a
short-course or a series of lectures is given on some topic of
wide interest. Suggestions for Houghton Lecturers are welcomed
from everyone.
2. The PAOC Retreat.
The Houghton Fund supports the annual autumn
PAOC Retreat.
In
addition, the Houghton Fund offers the following support
individually to PAOC students. For this purpose, "PAOC
students" includes all those enrolled in any of the four degree
programs incorporated in PAOC: atmospheric science,
chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, and climate
physics and chemistry. Students in these programs should
direct requests for support to the Houghton Fund, and not to the
Departmental Research Fund. Students in other educational
programs, including those who have, by request, formally joined
PAOC, cannot apply to the Houghton Fund; instead, they should
direct requests for support to the Departmental Research Fund.
1. Professional Society
Membership. Each year, the
Houghton Fund will pay for one membership in a
professional society and one journal subscription from that
society, at the eligible student rate. Please bring a proof of
payment (e.g., canceled check or receipt) to Mary Elliff, who
will arrange reimbursement. (Consult your adviser if in doubt
about the most appropriate society to join.) Surprisingly, few
students take advantage of this opportunity.
2. Thesis binding.
The fund will
cover the cost of binding two copies of PhD theses. See Mary
Elliff (54-1710) to arrange it.
3. Thesis
Processing Fees.
Starting in March, 2006, the fund will repay processing fees of
$50 for a Master's Degree or $105 for a Ph.D. Degree. To
be reimbursed, give Mary Elliff your receipt (54-1710).
4. Funds for students’
educational and related expenses.
Graduate students' activities evolve from being primarily
educational in the early years to being increasingly
research-oriented in later years. Accordingly,
effective Fall Semester 2004, Houghton Fund support is
structured differently for those in years 1-2, and those in year
3 and later. See the links below for guidelines and method of application
for these grants.
Houghton Fund
grants for students in their first two years of graduate study.
Houghton Fund
grants for students in their 3rd and subsequent years
of graduate study.
