Thanks to the generosity of the Ferdows Foundation, 3 awards of $1000 each will be awarded to presenters at the joint University of Maryland/Mid-Atlantic American Society of Plant Biologists Symposium in May 2026.
The Ferdows Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) organization committed to advancing horticultural knowledge through careful scientific research in plant biology, conservation, and education. The Foundation’s mission reflects the Founders’ longstanding dedication to basic scientific inquiry, their strong interest in landscape horticulture, and their belief that ongoing investment in fundamental research, along with education and mentoring of the next generation of scientists, is vital for long-term progress in the plant sciences.
To advance these goals, the Foundation leverages its physical and intellectual resources at 855 Carson Road, Huntingtown, Maryland, and is partnering with the University of Maryland to support research, training, and scientific exchange. Central to this effort is fostering environments in which emerging scientists can present their work, receive rigorous evaluation, and engage with the broader research community.
In support of these objectives, and to encourage excellence among early-career researchers, the Ferdows Foundation proposes to fund three awards of $1,000 each to be presented at the joint University of Maryland/Mid-Atlantic American Society of Plant Biologists Symposium in May 2026. The Foundation commits to providing support for these awards for at least a five-year period beginning in 2026, under the following conditions:
- The awards will be presented at the time prizes are announced during the symposium.
- The prizes will be designated as the Ferdows Foundation Award for Best Presentation by an Undergraduate Student, the Ferdows Foundation Award for Best Presentation by a Graduate Student, and the Ferdows Foundation Award for Best Presentation by a Postdoctoral Scholar, with one award made in each category.
- Selection of awardees will be conducted by the Symposium Prize Committee in accordance with its established protocols and procedures.
- Award payments will be made directly by the Foundation to the individual recipients.
- These awards will not be combined with other individual prizes conferred by the symposium.
- A brief printed statement describing the Foundation’s mission and its rationale for supporting these awards will be provided to symposium participants. In the inaugural year (2026), a representative of the Foundation will give a short (approximately 5-minute) presentation on these goals.