Undergraduate Funding, Scholarships and Awards


Horseshoe Bend Georgia Power Award

This award supports an undergraduate ecology major’s research and/or internship activities at UGA in honor of Dr. Josh Laerm, a former UGA professor, Curator of Zoological Collections, and Director of the Museum of Natural History. Award funds can be used to support research-related travel expenses and publishing expenses, conference participation, internship-related expenses, or other professional training.

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.

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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 ([email protected]), to the attention of the Odum School of Ecology Facilities Committee


Josh Laerm Memorial Outstanding Ecology Undergraduate Award

This award supports an undergraduate ecology major’s research and/or internship activities at UGA in honor of Dr. Josh Laerm, a former UGA professor, Curator of Zoological Collections, and Director of the Museum of Natural History. Award funds can be used to support research-related travel expenses and publishing expenses, conference participation, internship-related expenses, or other professional training.

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Eligibility

  • Undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. or A.B. degree in the Odum School of Ecology
  • In good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation)
  • Has not received this award previously

Application Requirements

  • Letter of support from a UGA faculty member who can speak to the applicant’s experiences in research and/or internships.
  • Resume
  • Short Essay (500 words or less; description provided below).
    • Your engagement in research and/or internship activities the Odum School of Ecology and/or UGA to date
    • Your plans for continued engagement in research/internship activities, along with an estimated timeline for future activities
    • The research or internship expenses for which this award would be used
    • How receiving this award would help you reach your professional goals.

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.


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.

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Eligibility

  • Undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. or A.B. degree in the Odum School of Ecology
  • Good academic standing (3.0 grade point average or higher)
  • Has not received this award previously

Application Requirements

  • Name of faculty member serving as a reference
  • Resume
  • Short Essay (500 – 700 words)
    • Describing how the Study Abroad program in Costa Rica meets your educational goals and complements your current studies and UGA campus involvement.
    • As well as how this program will impact your future career goals.

Award amount:

There will be up to four 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. Feb. 20.


Thelma Richardson and Frank Golley Undergraduate Support Award

This award honors the memories of Thelma Richardson and Dr. Frank Golley and their contributions to the growth and success of the Ecology undergraduate program at UGA. Thelma Richardson embodied service in everything she did at UGA, consistently going above and beyond to support members of the Odum School community. Similarly, Dr. Golley played a foundational leadership role in the establishment of the Ecology undergraduate program. This award recognizes a junior or senior Ecology major in the Odum School of Ecology who, through their leadership and/or service, has made significant contributions to the Odum School and beyond.

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.

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Eligibility

  • Undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. or A.B. degree in the Odum School of Ecology
  • Junior or Senior standing
  • In good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation)
  • Has not received this award previously

Application Requirements

  • Two letters of support from individuals who can speak to applicant’s leadership and/or service contributions; at least one letter-writer must be a faculty member in the Odum School of Ecology.
  • Resume
  • Short Essay (750 words or less)
    • In 750 words or less, please describe your involvement in the Odum School to date
    • Highlight key contributions and achievements you have made in leadership and/or service to the Odum School or broader community.

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.


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.

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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:

  • Research Proposal
    • Provide an abstract of your proposed or ongoing research (between 500-700 words).
      • Abstracts should address goals of the search or central question
      • Approach being taken to address those goals (experimental, field observational, computational)
      • Statement of why the research is interesting or important from an ecological or applied perspective
  • Plan of Work – Including how you will distribute your work time devoted to your research (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, 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.


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.

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Eligibility:

  • Undergraduate student(s) pursuing a B.S. or A.B. degree in the Odum School of Ecology
  • Good academic standing (3.0 grade point average or higher)

Application Requirements:

In a single Word or PDF document, include a research proposal formatted according to the following section headers and content.
I. Project Information
Project title, proposer’s name(s) and email address(es)
II. Project Objective & Significance
200 word explanation of the project’s main objective, and how it addresses ecological dimensions of sustainability.
III. Project Description
800 word explanation of how the project will achieve its objective, and a timeline for the project. The description should specify any potential consultations or permissions that may need to be sought with campus offices in order to conduct the project. Applicants do not need to actually seek such consultations and permissions prior to applying. Demonstration of background research into related projects elsewhere via the citation of primary literature should be included as support for feasibility of the proposed project.
IV. Proposed Budget
A table describing the project’s expenses, which clearly link to the project description. A budget justification of up to 200 words can also be included if needed to explain the expenses.
V. OSE Faculty Endorsement
Name and email address of an OSE faculty or staff member(s) who endorses the project. Endorsing the project signifies that he or she has discussed the project with you and thinks the project is a good idea, not that they are responsible for overseeing the project.

Award amount:

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

Deadline:

Applications accepted on a rolling basis during spring and fall semesters. Applicants will be notified of award status within one month of submission.


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.

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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

  • A statement (500-700 words) describing 1) how will this opportunity affect your academic, professional, and/or personal development; and 2) How financial support from OSE will affect your engagement in your activity, including your travel Plans (if applicable with dates and location).  Please note: Applications outlining experiences with total costs above $1000 will be considered, but only awarded a maximum of $1000 per request.
  • Resume or CV (1-2 pages)
  • Reference (name, position, and email). A reference Qualtrics form will be sent to your reference to complete within one week of the application deadline (letter not required).

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


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.

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Deadline:

5 p.m. March 1.