Desert Studies Award
Must be enrolled in an accredited university.
The Garden Club of America Award in Desert Studies was established to promote the study of horticulture, conservation, and design in arid landscapes. The award is a one-year scholarship for graduate or advanced undergraduate students studying horticulture, conservation, botany, environmental science and landscape design relating to the arid landscape. Students must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. university. The award is intended to have a wide scope pertaining to the arid environment, with preference given to projects that generate scientifically sound water and plant management. Selection is by a panel appointed by the Desert Botanical Garden.
There is no application form. Candidates should submit the following required information to the email address above, with GCA Award in Desert Studies on the subject line:
1. A current resume that includes present address, phone and email; educational background including relevant education and work experiences and publications; names and contact information for two references qualified to describe student’s character and ability.
2. A 2-3 page essay describing the proposed project explaining how it relates to the subject area, what will be achieved during the project, and how the project relates to the student’s academic and professional development. The proposal should contain an abstract at the top of the page and specify how the work directly applies to this scholarship. The proposal should also specify the exact hypothesis motivating your work.
3. An itemized budget for the funds requested.
4. A letter of recommendation from the student’s graduate advisor, using the Academic Advisor Recommendation form (word doc or pdf), should be completed and signed the faculty advisor and sent to the Desert Botanical Garden.
The successful applicant must submit a written report of project results at the completion of the project to both The Garden Club of America and the Desert Botanical Garden.