Association of Professional Biologists Scholarship

The APB will normally fund up to two scholarship or bursary awards each year of up to $2000. Under the Scholarship and Bursary Program, the APB reserves the option to create graduate and undergraduate categories, and provide one scholarship or bursary for each (total of two), if the applications warrant this segregation. This is intended to provide undergraduates with an equal opportunity to compete with their graduate peers. Moreover, the Board may expand the Scholarship and Bursary Program if additional funds become available during any given year.

Application Instructions

When applying for this scholarship, we require the following information, which should be assembled in a folder before mailing.

1. Download and complete the application form. Submit form to registrar@professionalbiology.com.
2. Include a short personal statement that tell us about yourself. Please expand on the following: Interests; Activities out of school time; and Your goals for the future.
3. Include a current resume.
4. Arrange for and include two letters of reference.
5. Mail original transcripts to the APB office.

Eligibility

Applicants for the APB Scholarship and Bursary may be:

• the son or daughter, spouse, niece, nephew, granddaughter or grandson of a member in good standing of the APB entering the third or fourth year of an undergraduate program in biology or the second year of a diploma program in biology, or a closely related area as specified in the College schedule
• a student member of the APB entering the third or fourth year of an undergraduate program in biology or the second year of a diploma program in biology, or a closely related area as specified in the College schedule
• a Biologist in Training of the APB returning to university to pursue a higher degree
• a Registered Biology Technologist in Training of the APB pursuing an undergraduate or higher degree
• an R.P.Bio, in good standing with the APB returning to university to pursue a higher degree
• an R.B.Tech. in good standing with the APB who is pursuing an undergraduate or higher degree

Applicants must be enrolled in an academic program, similar to those in the College membership guidelines, that leads to a degree or diploma that will be used as a practicing biology professional. Applicants will be eligible to re-apply for the scholarship in subsequent years. However, an applicant will only be eligible to receive a scholarship up to a maximum of two years.

Application Deadline

The final date for applications for the scholarship shall be July 31 of the year in which the student will be starting her/his second year (diploma) third or fourth year (degree) or entering/continuing a post-graduate program.

Information Required

Applicants are required to fill in the application form available on the website.

Information required with the application includes:

• a letter to the scholarship committee indicating the applicant’s qualifications, background, professional /extracurricular interests and activities and
• two letters of reference.
• Ensure original transcripts are mailed to the APB office to arrive prior to the deadline.

The information provided is to inform the committee about the applicant’s goals, life experiences, motivations and extracurricular activities.

Adjudication

Applications shall be reviewed by the Committee, convened by the Chair, or any combination of the Chair and two members of the APB (i.e. a “Selection Sub-committee”).

In the case of a conflict of interest (i.e. son, daughter, spouse, co-worker), a member of the Committee (or Selection Sub-committee) will step down and another member will be appointed by the remaining members or by the Board as so required.

Selection shall be on an assignment of points for each application, with the top scorer(s) receiving the scholarship(s). In the case of a tie, the committee may:

• interview the applicants by phone
• review the applications
• check with references
• choose to divide the scholarship between the two individuals.

Applicants will be evaluated on a scale of 50 points where:

• 20 points – evaluation of transcript;
• 10 points – evaluation of letters of reference; and
• 20 points – evaluation of personal information.

The committee may choose not to award a scholarship in any year in which there is no candidate scoring at least 40 points.

Distribution

A cheque will be forwarded to the winner on proof of registration at the post-secondary institution specified in the application.

Publication

A brief write-up taken from the information supplied by the applicant will appear in BioNews and/or other APB media.