The Florida Museum of Natural History offers several awards to support and recognize student research.
These include Travel Awards, which assist with research-related travel, and Student Excellence Awards, which honor outstanding student research in natural science, biodiversity, or anthropology. All of these awards are funded by the generous endowments from individuals who have contributed to the Museum’s mission.
Endowments
B.J. and Eve Wilder Endowment
This fund was established by the Wilders to support student scholarships, research, travel, and stipends, to be awarded annually to students working on behalf of the museum under the direction of a Florida Museum of Natural History faculty member. Support the Wilder Endowment.
Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowed Fellowship
This fund was established by the Gapenskis to support fellowships awarded annually to one or more students working under the direction of a Florida Museum of Natural History faculty member. Support the Gapenski Endowment.
Mary Ross Endowment
Dr. Madelyn M. Lockhart Fellowship Endowment
This fund was established by Dr. Lockhart to supports graduate students, including but not limited to, travel and research support, at the Florida Museum. Support the Lockhart Endowment.
Travel Awards
The Museum Awards Committee assesses applications for travel awards three times a year, during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. These awards are designed to support museum students, Collection Managers/Natural History staff, and post-docs attending professional conferences, conducting fieldwork, or engaging in other research-related travel.
Applications for Travel Awards must be submitted via the Museum Intranet, the Museum’s internal website accessible only to Faculty, Staff, and Students.
Travel awards are funded by the B. J. and Wilder Endowment, Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowed Fellowship, Mary Ross Endowment, and Dr. Madelyn M. Lockhard Endowment.
Student Excellence Awards
Each year, the museum recognizes students for excellence in various fields of research. The following awards are presented through faculty nominations, reviewed by the Museum Awards Committee, and announced in April:
Austin Award For Graduate Student Excellence in Natural Science Research
The Oliver L. Austin Jr. Award honors long-time Florida Museum of Natural History curator of ornithology, Oliver Austin. The award recognizes a University of Florida graduate student for excellence in research in the natural sciences.
Bullen Award For Student Excellence In Florida/Circum-Caribbean Anthropology Research
The Ripley P. Bullen Award honors long-time Florida Museum of Natural History curator in archaeology, Ripley Bullen. The award recognizes a University of Florida undergraduate or graduate student for excellence in research in the anthropology of Florida or the Caribbean Basin, including the Caribbean islands, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Award for Graduate Student Excellence in Biodiversity Research
The Biodiversity Award recognizes a University of Florida graduate student for excellence in research on biodiversity, including but not limited to spatial and temporal patterns in organismal diversity, ecology, evolution, genetics, conservation, education, and outreach.
These awards are primarily funded through the Louis C. and Jane Gapenski Endowed Fellowship.