WESTERN DIVISION AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY
EUGENE MAUGHAN GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

2004 Application Procedures

The Western Division is pleased to announce that applications for its graduate-level student scholarships are now being solicited. This scholarship program provides up to $3,000 annually in scholarships to master's or doctoral students in the general area of fisheries science with one to three awards to individual students. Beginning in 2002, the Sustainable Fisheries Foundation established the William Trachtenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund, which augments the Western Division scholarship program. This fund provides up to $600 annually to a graduate-level student conducting studies on fisheries sustainability. Applications for the Western Division scholarship program will automatically be considered for the Sustainable Fisheries Foundation scholarship program as well. An award committee of five fisheries scientists from the Western Division will make the decision regarding the award of scholarships from both programs. Selection criteria include demonstration of:

1. Excellent scholarship as evidenced by grades in rigorous course work during the last 60 hours as an undergraduate and during graduate studies.

2. Potential for future contributions to the fisheries profession through management, research, or teaching.

3. Significant progress toward attaining a graduate degree in fisheries science with a defined thesis or dissertation project.

The 2004 scholarships will be awarded at the annual meeting of the Western Division in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 29-March 4, 2004.

APPLICATION CRITERIA AND PROCESS

1. Applicants must be a member of the American Fisheries Society or have submitted 2004 membership materials by the time of application. AFS Member number should be placed on application.

2. Applicants must have completed one semester or two quarters in a graduate degree program at a university within the geographic boundaries of the Western Division.

3. Applicants must have a major field of study that is related to fisheries or aquatic science.

4. Applicants must submit an application package that contains five copies of each of the following:

A. A letter to the award committee that includes (three separate items):

  1. A brief description of the student's degree program and the anticipated date of completion. 
  2. A statement of the applicants career goals and reasons for applying for the scholarship (up to 200 words).  
  3. A statement of the academic and professional activities and contributions to AFS and the fisheries science profession (up to 200 words).

B. Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and GRE scores;

C. A one-page abstract outlining the goals, objectives, design, methods and expected outcome from the thesis or dissertation project.

D. Letters of reference from two faculty members (one must be the graduate students advisor) familiar with the student's background and abilities. Letters may be sent separately by individual providing the reference.

The application package should be sent (postmarked) before, January 15, 2004 to :

Robert Gresswell
Western Division Scholarship Award Committee
USGS-FRESC
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97331
541-750-7410 (w); 541-758-7761 (f)
robert_gresswell@usgs.gov