GCA Scholarship Coastal Wetlands Application Requirements
The four items listed below must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, January 10. Submit parts 2-4 below by email - please include the applicant's name and “GCA” in the subject line.
1. Application Form - The online application form (in Constant Contact) includes basic contact information and a short summary (500 character max) of the project in layperson's language. (See the link at the bottom of the page)
2. Project Information - A narrative statement of no more than 6 pages, including references. This may include maps or other graphics and tables. Use 11 point or larger font. The applicant must submit by email, as an MS Word document or pdf, to: gcawetlands@vims.edu. Include:
- Statement of Work
- What portions of work have already been completed (if any)
- How the study benefits coastal wetlandsf
- How funds would be used
- Plans or opportunities for sharing research results with a larger audience
- Consistency with scoring rubric - these are the scoring sheet questions that should be clearly included or addressed in your project narrative.
3. Vita - No more than 2 pages. The applicant should submit by email as a Word document or pdf to gcawetlands@vims.edu. At a minimum include:
- Full name, phone, email, and permanent mailing address (current through April 30)
- Current degree status and year of study (e.g. 1st year, 2nd year, etc.) of student at time of application and anticipated terminal degree graduation date*
*Note: If the student is enrolled in a "bypass program" from Masters to PhD, please note current status (Masters student or PhD student/candidate at the time of application) and anticipated bypass matriculation date into PhD studies. - Relevant education, work, and volunteer experience
- Publications and presentations
- Career goals
- Names and contact information for 3 references
4. Letter of Endorsement from Applicant's Major Professor/Advisor - The advisor should email this letter directly to the GCA Award Committee at gcawetlands@vims.edu by Jan 10 with the name of the applicant and "GCA reference letter" in the subject line. The letter should:
- Identify the student
- Indicate the status of the student in the graduate degree program
- Evaluate the student’s ability as an independent researcher
The selection committee will consider all complete applications received on or before the January 10 deadline. An application packet is not considered complete until the letter of endorsement is received. It is the responsibility of the applicant to be sure all components have been submitted by following up with his/her advisor. The Awards Program Administrator will not send a reminder to either the student or the advisor for this purpose.
The committee forwards its top selections to the Garden Club of America mid-February for their annual meeting in New York. The Garden Club of America makes final decisions regarding the number of awards to be made each year according to available funding. The Garden Club of American officially notifies the award recipients via letter. All applicants are typically notified of the selection process outcome by early April.
Funding and Acceptance of Scholarship Terms - It would be preferable that funding from the Garden Club of America Scholarship be used for expenses related to support of field work or lab analysis (e.g., supplies, outside lab analysis, transportation, field technician assistance, etc.) However, the GCA does NOT require a detailed expense report for these funds. Once the funds are received by the scholarship winner, they belong to the recipient and not to the university. Award recipients will be expected to provide project reporting materials upon request.