The Harris Center’s Community Scholarship is an endowed scholarship, based on earnings from theWorld Ecology Award Gala for Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2013. It was established in the spirit of thepartnership in which the Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center was founded. Specifically, the HarrisCenter offers annually one Community Fellowship to UMSL-enrolled student, who proposes to conductresearch or outreach initiatives in conservation of biodiversity that links current research programs oftwo or more Harris Center partner institutions. Current partners are the University of Missouri-St. Louis,the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Saint Louis Zoo.
Guidelines and eligibility:
- Graduate students enrolled at the University of Missouri-St. Louis working toward a graduatecertificate in tropical biology and conservation with a cumulative 3.5 GPA are eligible to apply.There should be one or more named mentors at each partner institution who provide writtenendorsement of the proposed research/collaboration.
- Awards include one semester of tuition assistances and stipend in the following academic year.
- Preference given to students who have not previously received fellowships from the HarrisCenter and who have had TA or RA responsibilities that have kept them from focusing on theirdissertation work.Proposals will be judged on the following criteria:
- Potential for success in graduate school (GPA, LoRs)
- Potential for scientific impact post-graduation
- Demonstrated capacity or potential for broader impacts (Outreach activities and plan)
- Connections to a community partner via research and/or outreach
- Need – do they need to be elsewhere? (Field or Labwork)
Unless otherwise noted, proposals are due the first Monday in March of each year and are to be judgedby the Harris Center Executive Committee. Award announcements will be made on or before April 15.To apply:
- Submit your CV and 1-2 page statement to harriscenter@umsl.edu
- Have your advisor submit a letter of recommendation to harriscenter@umsl.edu or the Harris Center Director and Program Coordinator.
- In your statement, outline research/outreach proposal and how your goals align with thefellowship's mission and the partner organization(s)