Deadline extended for American Floral Endowment graduate scholarships

The deadline for two floriculture merit-based graduate scholarships through the American Floral Endowment has been extended to Feb. 19.

Students can apply for the Altman Family Scholarship and the Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship at the same time, with only one application needed. Each year, one student will be selected for each scholarship. The primary objective of the scholarships is to assist in funding the education of full-time graduate students (MS or Ph.D.) who will become leading floricultural scientists and educators.

Those attending land-grant universities will automatically be considered for the Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship, which is only for students attending a U.S. land-grant university. All others will only be considered for the Altman Family Scholarship.

© American Floral Endowment

Ken and Deena Altman, owners of Altman Plants, created the Altman Family Scholarship, a one-year scholarship of $5,000, in 2015. Altman Plants supplies plant programs to large retailers with point of purchase materials, sales representatives to assist with merchandising and a large distribution system that covers the U.S., as well as offers expertise in growing plants. It is an annual scholarship, although the same person may receive it a second year should their application score the highest.

© American Floral Endowment

The Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship, a two-year scholarship of $10,000 with $5,000 each year, honors the late Paul Ecke Jr. of Encinitas, California, 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. 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.

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 bachelor’s or master’s degree in horticulture or a related field, like agricultural engineering, entomology, agricultural marketing and economics or plant pathology. Applicants must have the intention of pursuing an MS or Ph.D. degree on a full-time basis in a selected floricultural area and under the direction of a world-renowned floriculture scientist.

The AFE Education Committee will review all applicants and when necessary will conduct personal interviews with applicants prior to finalizing the selection of a scholarship recipient.

Applicants need to submit a personal statement; three letters of recommendation, including one from the student's floriculture-related adviser; a photo; and a video.

Official transcripts from the Office of the Registrar and videos can be emailed to afe@endowment.org. (If transcripts need to be mailed, they can be sent to American Floral Endowment 610 Madison St. Suite 101 PMB 803 Alexandria, VA 22314.)

The personal statement should be not more than two single-spaced typed pages providing the reason for applying for a scholarship, personal involvement in floriculture activities, a brief description of the proposed research project and how it will contribute directly or indirectly toward resolving a major floriculture issue and anticipated future professional goals in floriculture.

The video, which can be up to three minutes, should communicate to the selection committee why you're the best candidate for the scholarship, including current or proposed research projects. The AEF said it's looking for creativity and personality in these videos, and applicants should show their passion and consider adding slides or pictures to add depth to the video.

For full details on the application requirements and to apply, visit endowment.org/altmaneckeapplication. For questions, email afe@endowment.org.

To view a list of past scholarship recipients, visit endowment.org/floriculture-msphd-scholarship.