Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas/Florida Sea Grant Scholarship Opportunity
The Mariner of the Seas cruise ship was recently recognized by Royal Caribbean International as the Innovative Ship of the Year and the Environmental Ship of the Year. The Mariner of the Seas has donated its award of $5,000 to Florida Sea Grant to support environmental research and education through the creation of a one-time scholarship for a graduate or professional student conducting research on a marine or coastal environmental topic.
Eligibility
Graduate or professional students currently enrolled in Florida universities are eligible to apply. Students should be beginning or already involved in their thesis, dissertation or professional research project. The project should be related to a marine or coastal environmental subject and designed to solve problems or create opportunities for marine or coastal resources that will conserve and create optimum use into the future of the resources for the greatest number of citizens from both an environmental and economic perspective. Students working in any academic discipline or professional degree program having direct application to marine or coastal environmental issues may apply.
Award
The award will be made at the beginning of the summer or fall term, 2007, depending on the project or needs of the student. The award must be used to benefit the research project that the student is or will be conducting for the degree project. Arrangements will be made with the student’s university, academic department and major professor to make the payment.
Application
A complete application will include:
a. Personal and academic curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages using 12 pt. font).
b. A personal and education goal statement which emphasizes the applicant’s abilities and long-term career goals (not to exceed one page using 12 pt. font).
c. A description of the research project the student is or will be working on for their degree. The description should clearly state the problem or issue at hand and how the results of the research will solve the environmental problem, conserve marine and coastal resources or create opportunities from an environmental and economic perspective. A statement regarding how the scholarship funds will be used should also be included (entire description not to exceed one page using 12 pt. font).
d. Two letters of recommendation, including one from the student’s major professor. If no major professor exists, the faculty member who is most familiar with the applicant academically may be substituted.
e. Copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
Selection
Selection of the recipient will be made by a panel of reviewers from Florida Sea Grant. Selection criteria will include the significance of the problem or opportunity being researched and the potential for solving the problem or creating the opportunity, academic ability, communication skills, additional qualifying experience and support of major professor.
Report
The scholarship recipient will be required to submit a one page report at the completion of the research or degree that indicates how the problem was solved or the opportunity created and how the funds received assisted in carrying out the work.
Application Deadline
The application and all support materials are due at Florida Sea Grant by 4PM on May 4, 2007. The curriculum vitae, personal and education goal statement and description of the project can be sent by email to jhw04@ufl.edu. Hard copies, transcripts and letters of recommendations can be sent to:
Jackie Whitehouse
Florida Sea Grant College Program
PO Box 110400
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611-0400