Centennial Pollinator Fellowship

PURPOSE AND HISTORY

The Garden Club of America (GCA) Board of Associates Centennial Pollinator Fellowship provides funding to a current graduate student to study the causes of pollinator decline, in particular bees, bats, butterflies and moths, which could lead to potential solutions for their conservation and sustainability. The selection criteria are based on the technical merit of the proposed work and the degree to which the work is relevant to this objective.

Pollinators-bees, bats, butterflies and moths-help our prairies, gardens, orchards, blueberry barrens, farmers' fields and desert cacti reproduce and maintain genetic diversity. One-third of the food we eat has been fertilized by pollinators. An alarming decline in the number of pollinators in recent decades-through chemicals, diseases, mites, loss of habitat, and global climate change- has international repercussions.

The GCA Board of Associates Centennial Pollinator Fellowship was established in spring 2013 to facilitate independent research in this field. This fellowship was made possible by generous gifts given in honor of the GCA Centennial by members of the Board of Associates.

PROVISIONS

The GCA Board of Associates Centennial Pollinator Fellowship annually funds one or more graduate students enrolled in U.S. institutions (scholar must be a US citizen or green card holder). Funding may vary in amount, but normally will be in the range of $4,000 for study and research that will advance the knowledge of pollinator science and increase the number of scientists in the field. A recipient may reapply for an additional year of funding.

RESEARCH CATEGORIES

The categories under which applicants may apply are:

Effects of nutrition, genetics, pesticides, pathogens, parasites and disease on pollinators

Pollinator habitat development, assessment or monitoring

Plant-pollinator interactions and pollination biology

Research that examines other aspects of pollinator health, including cutting-edge, original concepts

TERMS

Award: $4,000 Maximum

Only one GCA scholarship may be applied for annually. Applications are due January 15, 2019.

GCA fellow will provide an interim 250-word report, two high quality photos, and an expense summary to GCA and P2 by September 2, 2018. A final report and final expense summary will be due February 1, 2019.

Research excerpts (text and photos) may be published in GCA’s and P2’s publications and websites.

GCA fellow agrees to share research with members of the Garden Club of America.