Florida Sea Grant is now accepting applications for the 2026 Aylesworth Scholarship Award from Florida university students conducting research in the marine sciences. Applications are due to Florida Sea Grant by 11:59 p.m. Eastern, on June 11, 2026.
Established in 1984 through a joint partnership between the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Science, the Southeastern Fisheries Association and the Florida Sea Grant College Program, Aylesworth scholarships are a career award, supporting eligible recipients in Florida.
Eligibility Requirements:
This competition is open to any undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled full-time at one of Florida’s institutions of higher education, and pursuing any academic discipline including (but not limited to) biology, fisheries, ecosystem science, engineering, economics, food science, journalism, education, and anthropology. Successful recipients will focus on applied science projects that impact Florida’s fishing, seafood, and marine industries.
Research relating to sea turtles and marine mammals (pinnipeds, cetaceans, sirenians) is not eligible for this award.
Previous recipients are eligible to apply for this award if they are in a new degree program.
About the Award:
Award amounts and number of recipients vary by year, however this is considered a “career” award and will support a recipient through payments in spring/fall semesters until graduation from their degree program after enrollment and good standing verification.
“The Aylesworth scholarship has been such an essential part of my dissertation journey. I am so grateful for this financial support; this scholarship is really meaningful to me because it incorporated me into the Florida Sea Grant community. I have received so much support and mentorship from the organization and extension agents and had a really awesome opportunity to work with a NOAA mentor through their mentorship program”– Olivia Blondheim, Aylesworth Scholar
Application Packets:
A complete application packet consists of the following and must be reviewed and submitted through the Florida Sea Grant InfoReady online application portal. Packets must contain:
- A completed online application including:
- Personal information about the applicant
- Written statement of interest (200 words or less)
- Written statement of career goals (200 words or less)
- Written statement of financial need (500 words or less)
- Family information
- A current resume/CV (pdf)
- A completed and signed “Financial Information Form” (pdf) (found in InfoReady portal)
- Unofficial copies of all college transcripts (pdf)
- Two signed Letters of Recommendation (pdfs)
Deadline to Apply:
Applications are due on Florida Sea Grant InfoReady online application portal by Thursday, June 11, 2026 by 11:59PM Eastern. Late applications or letters of recommendation will not be considered.
Questions about the Aylesworth Scholarship application or portal can be directed to:
Cassie Sexson
Student Program Coordinator
Florida Sea Grant
[email protected]
Learn About the Current Aylesworth Scholars:
- Samuel Kwawukume (FSU)
- Olivia Blondheim (USF)
- Paul McDonald (UF)
About the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Science
Since 1984, the Aylesworth Foundation for the Advancement of Marine Science has supported university students in academic disciplines related to the marine environment. The Aylesworths believed that scientific knowledge in marine-related areas, coupled with decisions based on environmental and conservation factors, would prove to be the only way to develop, use and manage our renewable marine resources on a long-term basis. The Aylesworth Scholarship program remains the cornerstone of the foundation’s activities, but the foundation’s goals have been expanded to include the funding of research and other educational activities that benefit Florida’s marine environment. To learn more about the foundation’s legacy, watch this video: https://bit.ly/3ODGzKV.