ASPB Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
2025 Recognition Travel Award

ASPB's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee is offering a limited number of Recognition Travel Awards for students, postdocs, and faculty who are themselves members of groups minoritized in the US scientific workforce and/or who are directly supporting the education and professional development of students in such groups.

Recognition Travel Awards provide "full ride" fellowships to attend ASPB's annual meeting, which is scheduled to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from July 26-30, 2025. The award typically includes coverage of travel to and accommodations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, registration for Plant Biology 2025, a per diem allowance, and membership in ASPB through 2026. Applicants do not have to submit a research abstract to be considered for this award; however, successful applicants with pertinent research are strongly encouraged to present that research during Plant Biology 2025.

The goals of the program are to increase diversity among the annual meeting attendees and to provide access to the science and networking opportunities available at a major society meeting to those that might not otherwise have been able to attend. Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to apply, as are graduate students, postdocs, and faculty. ASPB membership is not a requirement to apply.

Student/Postdoc Requirements:

1. Be a member of a US federally designated underrepresented minority group
2. Attend a US high school or US accredited institution of higher education
3. Applicants must reside in the US (US permanent residency/citizenship not required)
4. Upload a current resume or CV (no more than two pages)
5. Submit a one-page statement identifying the potential benefits of attending Plant Biology 2025 to their planned research career and explaining whether or not they think that diversity is important in science, why or why not, and the ways that they will add to that diversity
6. Arrange to have their faculty advisor or supervisor upload a Letter of Recommendation and support via a custom link emailed to the letter writer once the application is finalized, or have them email it to Sylvia Lee at slee@aspb.org
7. Arrange to have their Department Head/Chair or Dean upload a Letter of Recommendation and support via a custom link emailed to the letter writer once the application is finalized, or have them email it to Sylvia Lee at slee@aspb.org
8. Ensure recommendation letters have been sent, complete Recognition Travel Award Application Form and submit with additional files online by Friday, November 15, 2024 (11:59 p.m. ET)

Note: Two letters of recommendation of support are required for students and postdocs. The system will automatically send a request for a letter only once the applicant selects finalize on the application.

Faculty Requirements:

1. Be a member of a US federally designated underrepresented minority group AND/OR
2. Be employed at a US minority serving institution
3. Applicants must reside in the US (US permanent residency/citizenship not required)
4. Upload a current resume or CV (no more than two pages)
5. Include a one-page statement identifying the potential benefits of attending Plant Biology 2025 to their research/teaching career and explaining whether they think that diversity is important in science, why or why not, and the ways that they plan to add to that diversity
6. Arrange to have their Department Head/Chair or Dean upload a Letter of Recommendation via a custom link emailed to the letter writer once the application is finalized, or have them email it to Sylvia Lee at slee@aspb.org
7. Ensure recommendation letters have been sent, complete Recognition Travel Award Application Form and submit with additional files online by slee@aspb.org by Friday, November 15, 2024 (11:59 p.m. ET).

Note: One letter of recommendation of support is required for faculty. The system will automatically send a request for a letter once the applicant selects finalize on the application.

The application process opens Monday, September 16, 2024. All applications must be submitted electronically by Friday, November 15, 2024 (11:59 p.m. ET). Applicants will be notified of the EDIC's decision by mid-December 2024.

Please Note: Should unforeseen events prevent an awardee from attending the meeting, the awardee must notify Sylvia Lee immediately and return the award so that another applicant can use the award to attend the meeting.

For assistance with the Recognition Travel Awards, please contact:

Sylvia Lee
American Society of Plant Biologists
Executive and Governance Affairs Administrator
15501 Monona Drive
Rockville, MD 20855
Email: slee@aspb.org
Phone: 301-296-0898
Fax: 301-279-2996