FUNDING:

For  the  Knowles  Surname  DNA  Project

By:  Robert B. Noles

The Y-DNA tests required for the Knowles Surname Project are relatively inexpensive, however, the costs of these tests are not insignificant.  (Use this pricing link to view the costs for all of the genetic genealogy tests offered by FTDNA).  

Therefore, participants and sponsors of participants want to know and should know how the tests are paid for.

The Y-DNA tests required for participation in the Knowles Surname DNA Project are paid for in a variety of ways, depending on the circumstances:

By the participant  (whenever possible)

By the participant's sponsor(s)  (cousins, siblings, etc.)

By a stipend made possible by donations from interested Knowles Researchers

By a stipend offered by the KKNFA or by Robert B. Noles

The primary beneficiary of the Y-DNA test results are the participants themselves.  The participant receives the actual results of their test via a hardcopy report and a certificate.  A participants results are also posted on their private page at FTDNA.com.   Therefore, normally the participants themselves pay for the test(s) that they desire.

The participant may have several siblings or cousins who are also interested in and benefit from the results, so they will often share part or all of the cost of the test(s).  When three or four siblings and/or cousins share the cost, the amount per sponsor is very easy to justify.

The KKNFA recognizes that the DNA test results from some participants will benefit many others, because the results will clear up a genealogical mystery (brickwall) or prove a Knowles line that couldn't be proven by traditional genealogical paperwork.  Therefore, the Association has made a donation to the Knowles Surname DNA Project to be used to help pay for a test for some participants, when the DNA Project Manager deems that a particular person's test will have benefits to the project beyond the specific individual being tested.

In addition, to the KKNFA donations, some individuals with a significant interest in the Knowles Surname DNA Project have made donations to the Project for use as stipends for important test candidates.  If you would like to make a donation to help support the goals of the Knowles Surname DNA Project, please review the FTDNA General Fund article to see how you can make a contribution.  Your donation can be made available for the Project to use as required or your donation can be directed to be used for a specific individual that you want to sponsor.  Thanks for your support!

If you or a family member believe you may be eligible for a stipend to help pay for a Y-DNA test, please send an email to Robert B. Noles, stating your case.  

The Knowles Surname DNA Project is a Y-DNA project, therefore tests of a participant's mtDNA cannot be covered by a stipend.

The total cost of the administration of the Knowles Surname DNA Project is currently being absorbed by Robert B. Noles, the FTDNA Group Administrator for  the Knowles Project and the Historian for the Knowles/Knoles/Noles Family Association.

NOTE:  Neither the KKNFA, nor Robert B. Noles, has any financial connection to FTDNA  (FTDNA is the vendor being used to obtain the Y-DNA testing.)