The National Shellfisheries Association Student Endowment Fund (SEF) was established in 1989 to maintain and expand the participation of students in the Association.  Contributions for the Fund are tax-deductible and are used to defray the costs associated with presenting oral and poster presentations at the Annual Meeting.  An appointed committee reviews student applications and makes recommendations for disbursement of funds.

NSA students participating in the 104th Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington are invited to apply for NSA-SEF travel or presentation awards, or both.  To be eligible for an award, students must:

• be a member of NSA
• present their original research
• apply with the attached application form.

Recent graduates may also apply, if they present research gathered while a student and are within one year of receiving their degree. Please note that incomplete applications will not receive consideration.

The Thurlow C. Nelson Award is given for the outstanding oral presentation of research that represents a distinctive and valuable contribution to shellfish science.  The award is named after the distinguished shellfish biologist who served as NSA President from 1931 to 1933, and contributed more than 125 papers, many relating to oyster biology.  The award includes a certificate of accomplishment and membership for five years in the Association. Oral presentations are judged on (a) scientific content and relevance, (b) oral and visual aspects of the presentation, and (c) handling of questions.

The Gordon Gunter Award is given for the outstanding poster presentation of research that represents a distinctive and valuable contribution to shellfish science.  The award includes a certificate of accomplishment and membership for one year in the Association.  Poster presentations are judged on (a) scientific content and relevance, (b) quality of figures and text, and (c) handling of questions.

To facilitate the active participation by students in the 2012 Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, travel awards will be granted to cover registration and/or lodging.  These funds are competitively awarded based on the quality of research as demonstrated in the submitted abstract, and financial need.  NOTE that travel award recipients will be expected to help with NSA needs for at least a half-day at the meeting (e.g., staffing the sales booth, operating A/V equipment, etc.).

Presentation Awards

1) Submit an abstract by December 5, 2011 via the Seattle meeting link at www.shellfish.org, and identify yourself as a student presenter.
2) Register for the 104th Annual Meeting at www.shellfish.org.

Travel Awards

1) Submit an abstract by December 5, 2011 via the Seattle meeting link at www.shellfish.org, and select the ‘Student Presenter' option during the abstract submission process.
2) Complete and submit the travel award application form (Word or pdf).
3) Have your advisor or another faculty mentor submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf by email.
4) Attach an optional cover letter file explaining your need for travel assistance.

5) Register on your schedule for the 104th Annual Meeting at www.shellfish.org.

Application forms are provided as fillable Word or pdf documents.  We strongly encourage you to use the pdf forms. Please fill and save the form as a pdf or use the Word file and email your application as attachment files to ska@vims.edu for receipt by December 8, 2011.  Alternatively, mail your application for receipt by December 8, 2011.  Email submissions are strongly preferred. 

Stan Allen
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
P.O. Box 503
Glouscester Point, VA 23062
ska@vims.sdu  phone 804-684-7710

Good luck!  Recipients of travel awards will be notified by January 28, 2012.  Please forward any questions concerning student awards to either Stan Allen or Lisa Milke (lisa.milke@noaa.gov  phone 203-882-6528).