The Musser International Turfgrass Foundation Award of Excellence application process for turfgrass Ph.D. candidates
General Information
The Musser Foundation's primary purpose is to promote the advancement of turfgrass science by supporting exceptional graduate students studying turfgrass science specialties. Applications are accepted each fall and the Musser Board of Directors meets annually in February to review applications and identify the most qualified recipient who will receive the Award of Excellence and a substantial financial grant. The foundation reserves the right to not make an award if no candidate fully meets the criteria.
Timing and Deadlines
Applications for the Musser Foundation’s annual Award of Excellence process will be available upon request each year after September 1. Qualified individuals may obtain the application form by clicking here to contact Frank Dobie at fdobie7@gmail.com. Completed applications must be returned on or before December 1.
Criteria for Selection
The criteria for selecting award recipients are based on, but not limited to, the graduate student’s work, academic record, dissertation, publications, leadership and extracurricular activities. Specific qualifications include:
A minimum GPA of 3.4 for the last 2 years of undergraduate study.
A thesis problem which is well conceived, soundly based on good science, includes innovative new concepts and is relevant to solving key basic problems facing the turfgrass industry.
Extracurricular activities that suggest strong leadership potential.
Current research objectives in the mainstream of turfgrass science and culture.
Candidates must be in the last year of their Ph.D. program and must have successfully completed the written and/or oral preliminary exams.
If an applicant has completed their Ph.D. during the current calendar year, they are still eligible to be a candidate for the upcoming Award of Excellence.
Submitting Your Application
Once completed, the application, transcripts and support letters should all be sent digitally via email to fdobie7@gmail.com before December 1.
Notification
The Awards Committee will review the applications and make recommendations to the Board and all applicants will be notified of the results by March 1.