Undergraduate Funding, Scholarships and Awards

Horseshoe Bend Georgia Power Award

The purpose of this award is to support undergraduate and/or graduate research that is conducted at the Horseshoe Bend Experimental Site. Support shall include, but not be limited to research materials, travel expenses for research presentations, awards, conferences, supplies and any other expenses deemed appropriate. Any student can apply to receive this award, with a faculty mentor who will oversee the project. Projects will be evaluated by members of the Odum School Facilities Committee, who will make recommendations based on the merits of each proposal.

Award amount:

There will be two awards of up to $500 each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Funds will be processed as a scholarship, and a half-page report detailing the research performed will be due within 6 months of the award date.

Deadline:

Spring award: 5 p.m. April 1.
Fall award: 5 p.m. October 1.
To apply: Send a proposal with the following information: Name, major, year of study, faculty advisor’s name, a 300-word description of the research (including goals, predictions and methods), and a short budget to indicate how the funds will be spent to Andy Davis (akdavis@uga.edu), to the attention of the Odum School of Ecology Facilities Committee

Josh Laerm Memorial Outstanding Ecology Undergraduate Award

The purpose of this award is to honor an upperclassman enrolled in a B.S. or A.B. degree program in the Odum School of Ecology. The award competition will be based on a combination of research, classroom, and service performance (i.e., all-around qualities of a professional ecologist and impactful citizen within the Odum School of Ecology.)

Award amount:

There will be one award of $1,000. Support will be in the form of a stipend paid directly to the recipient.

Deadline:

5 p.m. March 1.
Apply

Ron Carroll and Carol Hoffman Costa Rica Travel Award

The purpose of this award is to provide support for students in the Odum School of Ecology who travel to Costa Rica as part of the Tropical Ecology Maymester or Tropical Biology fall semester programs. Support will be in the form of a stipend paid directly to the recipient.

Award amount:

There will be up to four awards of $1,000 each.

Deadline:

5 p.m. Feb. 20.
Apply

Thelma Richardson and Frank Golley Undergraduate Support Award

The purpose of this award is to encourage individual excellence in undergraduate studies with awards to Odum School undergraduate students for travel, papers, general merit, or other endeavors. Recipients of this award are recognized for contributions to fostering a sense of community (1) at the Odum School of Ecology and (2) in the broader UGA community or the public.

Award amount:

There will be one to two awards of up to $1,000 each. Support will be in the form of a stipend paid directly to the recipient.

Deadline:

5 p.m. March 1.
Apply

James W. and Karen G. Porter Research Award

The purpose of the fund is to encourage and support undergraduate ecological scientific research in the Odum School. The Fund will provide scholarships for exemplary undergraduate students who demonstrate great passion for study in any area of ecology. Support shall include, but not be limited to, undergraduate student stipends, travel, or research supplies that enhance undergraduate research at the Odum School.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be full-time Ecology undergraduates in good academic standing (cumulative GPA >3.0) and have completed at least one full semester of coursework at UGA.
Students are limited to a maximum of $1000 per academic year.
Funds must be used for research including but not limited to:
- Stipends
- Research related travel (to field sites, conference, workshop)
- Research supplies

Application Requirements:

Application & Activity Information: Please do not submit this application until you and your faculty mentor have agreed on all the details for your research.
Research proposal: Please provide an abstract of your proposed or ongoing research (between 300-500 words). Abstracts should address the goal(s) of the research or central question(s), the approach being taken to address those goals (experimental, field observation, computational), and a statement of why the research is interesting or important from an ecological or applied perspective.
Plan of work: Please discuss the plan of work for your research and how will you distribute your work time devoted to your research in a paragraph (150-300 words). Be as specific as possible. This may include literature to be reviewed, analysis of data, discussion, presentation of results, writing, etc.
Resume or CV (1-2 pages)
Reference (name, position, and email), letter not required

Award amount:

There will be one award of up to $1,000. Support will be in the form of a stipend paid directly to the recipient.

Deadline:

5 p.m. Feb. 20.
Apply

Seydel Award in Sustainability and Conservation

Since becoming a standalone school in 2007, the Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology and the IDEA Advisory Board have played a leading role in making the University of Georgia a more sustainable campus. Through our teaching, research and outreach initiatives the University of Georgia is serving as a living laboratory that provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff to enhance the quality of life on campus and beyond.

As founding chair of the IDEA Advisory Board, Rutherford Seydel has played a major role in leading these efforts, and continues to challenge UGA not to rest on its laurels. Beyond his service to the Odum School and UGA, Seydel is a director and vice-chairman of The Conservation Fund, co-founder and CEO of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Fund, Inc., a member of the board of directors of the Southern Environmental Law Center and Turner Environmental Law Clinic at Emory University School of Law, and a Trustee of the National Parks Conservation Association. As co-owner of the Atlanta Thrashers and Atlanta Hawks, he was responsible for making Atlanta’s Philips Arena the first sports arena in North America to achieve LEED certification.

In his honor, we have established the Seydel Award in Sustainability and Conservation.

Award amount:

This award of provides up to $2000 for new sustainability initiatives to undergraduate students in the Odum School of Ecology.

Deadline:

5 p.m. March 1.
Apply

Odum School of Ecology Experiential Learning Fund

Are you planning an internship, research experience, or study abroad/away trip? Do you want to attend a professional conference? Do you have a project or workshop idea to bring to the Odum undergraduate community? The Odum School of Ecology offers financial support for students participating in the types of experiential learning activities listed below. Each year, we will provide financial support of up to $1,000 per student.

Eligibility

Applicants must be full-time Ecology undergraduates in good academic standing (cumulative GPA >2.8) and completed at least one full semester of coursework at UGA.
Students are limited to a maximum of $1,000 per academic year.
Funds must be related to experiential learning:
- Semester/Summer scholarships for research or unpaid internships
- Travel to/from experiential learning sites in the U.S. or abroad
- Service-learning expenses
- Additional costs associated with study abroad/away experiences
- Expenses associated with attendance and presentation at professional conferences
- Other supplies/expenses associated with experiential learning activities
- Hosting workshops, community projects, or guest speakers for the Odum community (must submit a proposal for the activity).

Application Requirements

Application & activity information
A statement (3000 characters or less, including spaces) describing 1) how this opportunity will affect your academic, professional, and/or personal development; and 2) How financial support from OSE will affect your engagement in your activity.
Travel plans (if applicable), including dates and locations.
An outline and narrative explanation of your budget needed to participate in the proposed activity (view sample budget proposals). Please note: Applications outlining experiences with total costs above $1,000 will be considered, but only awarded a maximum of $1,000 per request.
Resume or CV (1-2 pages)
Reference (name, position, and email)

Recipients will be notified by March 15^th for the spring deadline and November 1^st for the fall deadline.

Contact Dr. Amanda Rugenski with any questions.

Award amount:

Students are limited to a maximum of $1,000 per academic year.

Deadline:

Feb. 20 application deadline is intended for spring, Maymester, and summer experiential learning activities. Oct. 1 fall deadline is intended for fall and spring experiential learning activities.

Depending on the experiential learning activity, funds will be dispersed as a reimbursement or deposited into your student account.

Apply

Teacher Awards

Ecology Educator Award

The Odum School of Ecology Educator Award recognizes outstanding educators from around the country who have supported and inspired their students to study ecology and achieve at high levels. This award allows the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology to honor and celebrate educators who motivate and inspire future ecologists.

Students are invited to nominate high school educators, and a committee composed of Odum staff and faculty selects one educator to receive the award for their teaching effectiveness, commitment to learning, and passion for ecological education. In April, the winner is recognized at the Odum School of Ecology’s Spring Fling and sent a congratulatory letter and certificate. The administrators of their high school is also notified of their achievement.

The entire Odum School of Ecology credits the excellence of the Odum student body to educators like these, who shape their students long before they attend the University of Georgia, and would like to thank these and all educators in their ongoing efforts in motivating and supporting their students.

Deadline:

5 p.m. March 1.
Nominate Educator