1. Scholarships
  2. Borlaug Scholarships
  3. NAPB Borlaug Undergraduate Scholars Application

NAPB Borlaug Undergraduate Scholars Application

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The Borlaug Scholars program for undergraduate students was established by the National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) and is funded through the Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF).

Our aim is to develop the next generation of plant breeding leaders. Undergraduates attending U.S. universities who are in upper level undergraduate programs in plant breeding related disciplines and are seeking to further their education in plant breeding or genetics following their B.S. degree, are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. Self-nominations are encouraged. Borlaug Scholars will be paired with volunteer mentors who are professional NAPB members committed to the professional development of the recipients. Each recipient will  receive financial support for travel, lodging, and meals to participate in the NAPB Annual Meeting (or similar, if virtual meetings). Gratis meeting registration and student membership in NAPB, for non-members, is included.

 

Eligibility

  1. Former recipients of this Scholarship (either grad or undergrad awards) are not eligible.

  2. Nominee will be an undergrad student during the dates of the conference, June 14-18, 2026.

  3. Students may apply for both the NAPB Borlaug Scholarship and the George Washington Carver Scholarship, but may not receive both awards during the same year.

References

  • One reference letter is required (max characters 6000).
  • Members of this NAPB Borlaug Scholar Committee and the NAPB Board of Directors are not eligible to be a reference on nominations.
  • The application must include the name and a valid email address for the reference submitting your reference letter.
  • An email will be sent from awards@sciencesocieties.org containing instructions to submit the letter of support.

Applications open December 1st, 2026. Apply for this award and others on the Awards Hub

The deadline for submissions is February 4th, 2027.

NAPB Membership is not required to apply. 

Application Questions

  1. Current school where you are pursuing an undergraduate program.
    Must be a U.S.-based institution.
  2. Your mailing address.
    Character limit (including spaces): 400
  3. Your email address.
    Character limit (including spaces): 400
  4. Provide the name and email address of a professor or mentor who stimulated your interest in plant breeding.
    Character limit (including spaces): 350
  5. Major area of study.
  6. Minor area of study.
    Enter "none" if no minor.
  7. Expected graduation date.
    (mm/dd/yyyy)
  8. Credit hours completed.
    Please include credit hours currently in progress.
  9. GPA.
    Indicate scale if not based on 4.0.
  10. Honors, awards, and scholarships received.
    Use bullet points. Character limit (including spaces): 1,000
  11. Research, internships, and employment experience.
    Use bullet points. Character limit (including spaces): 500
  12. Leadership roles including community, campus, and professional society activities.
    Use bullet points. Character limit (including spaces): 500
  13. Career goals.
    Outline the careers you wish to pursue and the types of careers that interest you. Character limit (including spaces): 1,000
  14. Additional information we should know about you.
    Highlight any information not specifically requested elsewhere that demonstrates why you are an outstanding student. Examples may include writing a book chapter, developing software or an app, creating a new technical protocol, or other notable achievements. Character limit (including spaces): 1,000.
  15. Educational plans – continuing education.
    Are you interested in pursuing graduate education? If yes, indicate which degree interests you: Master's, Ph.D., or Other.
  16. Educational plans.
    Outline your educational plans, including any intention to attend graduate school, the research areas that interest you, why they appeal to you, and how you intend to pursue them. Character limit (including spaces): 1,000.
  17. Why do you want to be a Borlaug Scholar?
    Character limit (including spaces): 500
  18. How do you think your unique perspective or background can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable environment within our scholarship program?
    Character limit (including spaces): 500