2022 Fellowship in Plant Science Research

About

In 2022 the Oak Spring Garden Foundation will award our second annual Fellowship in Plant Science Research to one outstanding, early-career plant scientist, with preference given to scientists working in organismal plant biology.  This is our most prestigious award for practicing plant scientists.  The award includes a $10,000 individual grant and requires a two-to-eight-week stay at Oak Spring.  This fellowship will be granted to an exceptional plant scientist whose research shows remarkable promise to contribute to a deeper understanding of organismal plant biology, including plant ecology.

The individual selected for this award will spend 2 - 8 weeks at Oak Spring where they will be able to meet with staff, explore our 700-acre landscape and our efforts in sustainable land management, and visit our rare book library that holds over 19,000 objects, including many examples of botanical art.  The Fellow will have ample time and space to work independently on their own projects during their stay. The only requirement during their time at Oak Spring will be to give one 45-minute presentation with time for questions, to Oak Spring staff and any other fellows or residents who might be on site.

Application Process

To begin your application, go to https://osgf.submittable.com/submit/ and locate the ‘2022 Residency and Fellowship Programs’ application.  Please note that there is one application for all of our 2022 residency and fellowship programs, and you will be prompted to select which programs you would like to be considered for. You will be asked to submit:

• a resume/curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages),

• a 200 - 300-word statement on your current body of research,

• a 200 - 300-word statement on how your work relates to Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s mission to “perpetuate and share the gifts of Rachel (“Bunny”) Lambert Mellon, including her residence, garden, estate and the Oak Spring Garden Library, to serve the public interest. OSGF is dedicated to inspiring and facilitating scholarship and public dialogue on the history and future of plants, including the culture of gardens and landscapes and the importance of plants for human well-being.”

• a 200 - 300 description of how you anticipate using your time during a 2 to 8 week residency at OSGF. OSGF does not currently have a laboratory or any laboratory/science equipment. However, our landscape and formal garden offers an abundance of plant life, and we are especially keen to support work that utilizes or relates to species growing on site. Successful applicants will also be able to indicate a clear and timely need for the fellowship. Please keep in mind that the OSGF estate is set in a rural and tranquil setting, and we also welcome applicants who would use the residency as an opportunity to observe and write, free from other distractions.

• any and all relevant links/published papers or other writing that demonstrates your research outputs and current interests.

NOTE: When applying to this fellowship, you will be asked if you are interested in being considered for one of our other residencies, if you are not selected for the fellowship.  To learn more about our residencies, visit www.osgf.org/residencies.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be early-career plant scientists who have completed their undergraduate degree within the past ten years.  The successful Fellow must be self-directed and able to work independently while on site. Applicants are expected to show dedication to their work in plant science, exceptional promise, good communication skills and excellence in what they have accomplished or plan to accomplish.

Dates

Dates of your residency should be scheduled in consultation with OSGF staff and should fall between Sunday, May 15, 2022 - Saturday, September 24, 2022.

Other Information

The selected Fellow should make travel arrangements to Dulles International Airport, where Oak Spring will arrange transportation for them to our estate in Upperville, VA.  The Fellow will resident in a nicely appointed, self-catering accommodation during their time at Oak Spring.  The fellow will have a private bedroom and bathroom, and share a living room and kitchen.

Selection

A jury of established plant scientists, and science administrators will review the applicants and select the 2022 Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s Fellow in Plant Science Research.