Assistantships, Fellowships, and Scholarships for Graduate Students
Most graduate students in the Department of Horticulture are supported by their faculty advisor through assistantships. Assistantships and fellowships are available to qualified individuals on a competitive basis. Research assistantships (1/2 time) for 2012- 2013 at MSU range from $32,127 to $33,046 including stipend, tuition, and health benefits. Tuition support includes up to nine credits during Fall and Spring semesters and up to four credits during the Summer semester (six credits are considered full time for graduate students). Much more information on the exciting opportunities for an MSU graduate degree in the Horticulture Department can be obtained by contacting individual faculty members having research interests similar to yours or the Department Graduate Programs Office (hrtgrad@msu.edu).
For applicants with exceptional credentials and/or those from under-represented groups, sponsored campus visitations also may be available-please contact Dr. Randy Beaudry (beaudry@msu.edu), Graduate Programs Director, to discuss the specifics for sponsored campus visits, which most often occur during January-March but can be arranged at any time depending on circumstances.
Further information regarding the graduate assistantship benefits can be found at the MSU Graduate School website and on the Student Services Assistanship website.
College and University fellowships are also available. Applicants do not need to apply for these fellowships. Instead, the Admissions Committee will forward the files of qualified applicants for nomination for these fellowships. Additional information on these opportunities is listed below.
For consideration for the broadest range of fellowships, assistanships, and visitation opportunities, complete applications for study beginning Fall 2013 should be recieved no later than January 1, 2013 evaluated throughout the year for admissions in fall, winter, or spring. Come join the creative, inquisitive, and diverse horticultural academics at Michigan State University!
Scholarship/Fellowship Opportunities:
Michigan Vegetable Council & Michigan Horticulture Scholarships
The Michigan State Horticultural Society and The Michigan Vegetable Council announce the availability of scholarships for students who intend to pursue careers in the Midwest fruit industry or vegetable industry, respectively. The awards are made available by these organizations, with the generous support of industry sponsors including Gerber Products Company, Michigan Apple Promoters, Valent USA, Wilbur-Ellis Company, MACMA Apple Division, and Agro Fresh, Inc. (SmartFreshTM), as well as the support of the following industry publications: Meister Publications (American Fruit Grower, American Vegetable Grower), The Fruit Growers News, and The Vegetable Growers News. The award is not based on need or academic achievement, however, the selection committee may use these criteria to decide between two or more qualified applicants. The recipients will be selected in the fall and the awards presented during the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO in December in Grand Rapids, MI. Visit http://www.glexpo.com for more information. GL Expo attendance is required.
The Michigan State Horticultural Society and Michigan Vegetable Council invite other companies and organizations to contribute to the scholarship fund. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Allyn Anthony (269-424-3990) or Dave Smith (734-848-8899).
A full announcement and application .pdf can be found on the MSHS website: http://www.mihortsociety.org/
Contact the Michigan Horticulture Society (mihortsociety@aol.com) or the Michigan Vegetable Councel (mivegcouncil@charter.net) for information about this scholarship.
Deadline: September 30 (annually)
John L. Arend Excellence in Graduate Student Research Scholarship
The "John L. Arend Excellence in Graduate Student Research" Scholarship provides research assistance funds to horticulture graduate students. Previous recipients may re-apply for continued consideration up to a total of three awards during their graduate career. Applications are reviewed by the Horticulture Graduate Programs Committee at the beginning of each Fall and/or Spring semester. Recipients are required to acknowledge acceptance of, and express appreciation for, their award in writing to Mr. John Arend (contact the Graduate Programs secretary for this address) within six weeks of award notification.
Selection Criteria:
- Applicant must be a current MSU horticulture graduate student pursuing a MS or a PhD.
- Applicant must show that their research is innovative, creative, and making timely progress. The research must have impact and potential influence on horticulture science.
- Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence (GPA, honors, awards), service to the department and/or community, and the financial need for how the scholarship will assist in their research.
Click here to download the application form as a PDF
Contact Rita House, Randy Beaudry, or Mathieu Ngouajio for more information.
Deadline: February 13 (annually)
Jordan B. Tatter Scholarship in Horticulture (Competition is not limited to the Horticulture Department)
The Jordan Tatter Scholarship in Horticulture was initiated in December 2003 by the Michigan Horticultural Society and the Michigan Vegetable Council. The scholarship provides support to students at Michigan State University pursuing a career in or working with the fruit and vegetable industries. Recipients of this scholarship are expected to attend the banquet at the Great Lakes Fruit and Vegetable Expo in Grand Rapids in early December. The right candidate should have academic excellence, demonstrated leadership abilities, services to the Michigan fruit and vegetable industries, and career aspirations.
Selection Criteria:
- Current graduate students
- GPC reviews Hort applications and provide ranking to Bob Herner
- Bridget Behe will work with Michigan Vegetable Council & Michigan Horticulture society for final awards
- Interest in working with the fruit and/or vegetable industry
- Financial need
- Academic excellence (GPA, honors and awards)
- Service
- Preference given to fruit and vegetable industries
- At least 50% of scholarship to UG students
- Can be awarded to any MSU student
- Students who have achieved Jr. status
- Grad students are eligible
- Evaluated on academic achievements, demonstrated leadership abilities, and career aspirations
- Contact the Michigan Vegetable Council or Bridget Behe for more details
Click here for the online application. Please complete this PDF form and attach a 1-2 page resume and send them combined in one PDF file to Bridget Behe: behe@msu.
Deadline: October 1 (annually)
Graduate School Recruitment Funds
Selection Criteria:
- New and enrolled horticulture graduate students
- Pertinence of project with graduate career
Contact Rita House or Mathieu Ngouajio for more information.
Deadline: Beginning of each Spring semester
Walker Hill International Award
This award is to be used for pre-dissertation visits to the site of the doctoral research in a country outside the United States (International students, may not apply for research in one's own country).
Selection Criteria and Application Information:
- Current doctoral student
- A letter of application by the student describing how the scholarship funds would be used in the context of the student's overall program of study
- A copy of the student's official MSU academic transcript
- A letter of support from the student's advisor, specifically endorsing and describing the proposed use of funds
- A letter of support from a second faculty member
- Applicant's one-page Curriculum Vitae
- A listing of scholarships and other support the student is receiving and the intended use of these fund
Click here for more details.
Contact: Kathy Riel - International Studies and Programs in 209 International Center, Michigan State University
Deadline: TBD
Anton Lang Awards for Research Excellence
Each spring semester the PRL hosts a special seminar in honor of the lab's founding director, Anton Lang. In conjunction with the seminar, awards are made to a graduate student and a postdoctoral research associate who exemplify the research excellence, ideals, dedication and vision of Anton Lang. Each recipient will receive a cash award and a gift. The names of the speaker and the two award winners are engraved on the plaque that hangs outside the Anton Lang Conference Room.
Selection Criteria and Application Information:
- Current or recent past graduate student (PhD) or postdoctoral fellow in Plant Science
- Nominees must currently be active in plant science research at Michigan State University.
- Nominations for student and postdoctoral awards should consist of a nominating letter, the curriculum vitae of the nominee, and any supplemental material deemed appropriate by the person making the nomination. Supplemental materials may include: reprints, letters of support from colleagues at MSU, and other documentation of research excellence and scholarly activities. Previous award winners are ineligible
Nominations should be submitted electronically as a PDF file to Zita Schneider (schne197@msu.edu) in 106 Plant Biology.
Click here for a full announcement.
Deadline: January 23, 2013
Hans Kende Memorial Award in Plant Science
Dr. Hans Kende was one of the preeminent scientists in the field of plant science. Hans was widely known for his work on the biosynthesis and mode of action of plant hormones. In addition to being an excellent plant scientist, Hans had a strong sense of community and was a vigorous promoter of plant biology at MSU as well as at national and international levels. He was recognized worldwide as an elder statesman in plant science. When Hans passed away on September 26, 2006, many former students, colleagues, friends and family members felt it necessary to find a way to honor him and his legacy at MSU. Thus the Hans Kende Memorial Award in Plant Sciences was created to recognize a recent graduate for an excellent dissertation in the plant sciences. The awardee will be invited to present their research at the Fall Lecture Series. The award will be made during the Plant Biology Fall Seminar Series and will include a cash stipend and a memento.
Selection Criteria and Application Information:
- The recipient shall have submitted their dissertation within the last two years, and will have written a thesis with a focus on some aspect of plant science.
Candidates from the departments of Plant Biology, Horticulture, Forestry, Biochemistry, Genetics, Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology, or other closely related department.- The candidates must be nominated by a faculty member within their area of study. The nomination packet should consist of a nominating letter, curriculum vitae of the nominee, an abstract of the dissertation, either a copy of the dissertation or publications that derived from it, and any supplemental material deemed appropriate by the person making the nomination.
Nominations are due to Lisa Farley (farley13@msu.edu) in 106 Plant Biology Building.
Click here for a full announcement.
Deadline: March 22, 2013
Dissertation Completion Fellowship
One hundred and twenty(120) fellowships are available annually to allow students to devote full time to writing the dissertation with the goal that the dissertation will be completed during the tenure of the fellowship. Other MSU financial support, held simultaneously with the fellowship, cannot exceed a one-quarter time assistantship or the equivalent.
Selection of fellowship winners will be made by a student's college. The colleges will set the conditions and application procedures for the Graduate School Dissertation Fellowships and will notify the Graduate School of the winners. The Fellowship awards will be dispensed by the Graduate School. Students should contact the associate dean's office of their college to find out their college's procedure.
Unlike graduate assistantships, these fellowships do not include student health insurance or tuition/fee waivers.
Selection Criteria:
- Current doctoral student
- The student must have passed their comprehensive examination by the end of the semester prior to the semester in which they receive the award
Contact Rita House, Randy Beaudry or Mathieu Ngouajio for more information.
Deadline: March, August and October (annually)
Annie's Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program
Annie's scholarship program assists undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in Sustainable and Organic Agriculture.
Selection Criteria:
- New and current undergraduate or graduate
Visit Annie's Sustainable Agriculture webpage (http://www.annies.com/our-practices/farming/agricultural-scholarships/) for more information on this scholarship.
Deadline: December (annually)
Dr. Leo W. Mericle and Dr. Rae Phelps Mericle Memorial Scholarship
Dr. Leo W. Mericle and Dr. Rae Phelps Mericle Memorial Scholarship has been established to assist graduate students studying the genetics of higher plants at Michigan State University. Dr. Rae P. Mericle worked for more than twenty-three years in collaboration with her husband, Dr. Leo W. Mericle, both here at Michigan State University and at Brookhaven National Laboratory, doing basic research on how ionizing radiations affect fundamental genetic processes. She was noted in the United States and abroad for the high quality of her research publications and her expertise in presentations and lectureships. During most of her years at Michigan State University she contributed full-time service without remuneration because of her deep dedication to her husband and to her profession. She was awarded the first Alumni Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship on the Michigan State University campus. Dr. Rae Mericle played a major role in the guidance of Master of Science and Ph.D. degree students at Michigan State University and was instrumental in obtaining numerous outside Federal Funds for research projects and teaching equipment. In addition to her numerous professional contributions, Dr. Mericle expressed her vibrant personality, warmth and friendliness as a human being.
Selection Criteria:
- New graduate students
- GPC reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Department
- Ability to exhibit top scholastic capability
- Promise of making a professional contribution to the study of genetics of higher plants
- Financial need
Applicants do not need to apply for this scholarship. Instead, the Admissions Committee will forward the files of qualified applicants for nomination.
American Floral Endowment - The Paul Ecke, Jr. Floriculture Scholarship
This, merit-based, prestigious Scholarship has been funded by contributions to The American Floral Endowment (AFE) from the floral industry and other sources.
The Scholarship honors the late Paul Ecke, Jr. of Encinitas, CA who made indispensable contributions to the advancement of the global floriculture industry. Among his many interests was concern for the future of floriculture, as influenced by innovative research and educational programs. He recognized that creative scientists and educators are required to lead the floral industry in the 21st century and beyond. Thus, the primary objective of the Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship is to assist in funding the education of graduate students (MS or PhD) who will become leading floricultural scientists and educators.
Each year, one student will receive $5,000 for two consecutive years (providing that they continue to meet requirements for this duration and submit an annual update).
Selection Criteria:
- All U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and qualified international students are eligible to apply.
- The applicant must be in the process of successfully completing either a BS or a MS degree in Horticulture or a related field, e.g., Agricultural Engineering, Entomology, Agricultural Marketing and Economics, Plant Pathology, etc. at a U.S. Land-Grant University.
- Must have the intention of pursuing a MS or PhD degree on a full-time basis in a selected floricultural area and under the direction of a world-renowned floriculture scientist.
Click here to visit the AFE web site for scholarship details.
Deadline: February 1st (annually)