ORAFS Student Scholarship

The Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society is proud to announce a competition for four student scholarships: one each for associate, undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral student categories. The goal of these scholarships is to further the objectives of AFS by rewarding and promoting the education and development of future fisheries professionals. Each of these scholarships is awarded at the discretion of the OR AFS Scholarship Committee and ExCom (typically annually).

Each scholarship award will consist of a check for $2,000, an award certificate, professional recognition at the Annual Meeting and in Fisheries and the Piscatorial Press, and the usual student perks of reduced registration and opportunity for group lodging at the Annual Meeting. Scholarships will be formally awarded at the upcoming OR AFS Annual Meeting, which recipients are expected to attend.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

1. Applicant must be enrolled in or have been accepted for admission into a degree program within the state of Oregon
2. Applicant’s major field of study must be relevant to fisheries science
3. Applicant must be a current member of OR AFS, but may join AFS and the Oregon Chapter at the time of the scholarship application
4. Applicant must not have been awarded the same Oregon Chapter AFS Scholarship in the previous year

EXPECTATIONS FROM RECIPIENTS:

• Commitment to attend the upcoming Annual Meeting to receive award, if selected (scholarship funds can be used to defray meeting costs and future AFS membership fees).
• Provide a 1-page Fishery Feature to the Piscatorial Press relating to your use of scholarship funds and/or fishery experiences during the scholarship year.

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

1. A 1-page cover letter describing how your academic and professional development has and/or will contribute to the AFS objectives of:

• Advancing the conservation, development, and appropriate use of fisheries resources;
• Promoting the development and advancement of fisheries science;
• Gathering, interpreting, and disseminating scientific and technical information about fisheries; and
• Encouraging the teaching of fisheries science in colleges and universities

You are encouraged to include undergraduate and graduate experience or research, along with volunteer and work experience to demonstrate the relevance of your professional development to the objectives of AFS. Essays may also describe any grants, honors, or awards you have earned; or the influence of a class project or how you think your future contribution to fisheries science issues will promote the objectives of AFS. Essays will be judged based on the ability to communicate your ideas in writing and how well your goals and experience align with the objectives of AFS.

2. Copies of official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended in the previous two years (photocopies of official transcripts will be accepted).

3. One letter of recommendation from mentor, or another professional, who must be an AFS member. The letters should address the potential of the applicant to be a productive member of AFS and to contribute to fisheries science. It is the applicants responsibility to contact references and ensure that their recommendation letters are sent to Helena Linnell (scholarships@orafs.org) by the deadline.