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 102nd Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, are invited to apply for NSA-SEF travel or presentation awards, or both. To be eligible for an award, students must

• be a current member of NSA,
• present their original research,
• apply with the attached application form(s).

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

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.

Presentation Awards

1) Submit an abstract by August 31, 2009 at Aquaculture 2010, and select the ‘Student Presenter’ option during the abstract submission process;
2) Complete and submit the Presentation Award application form by September 30, 2009 for each presentation.
3) Attach a copy of your abstract (.pdf or .doc file) directly to your application form, to the email that opens when you click on the above "submit by email" button, or include it in your mailed application.
4) Register as an NSA member for the 102nd Annual Meeting at www.was.org. 

Travel Awards

1) Submit an abstract by August 31, 2009 at Aquaculture 2010, and select the ‘Student Presenter’ option during the abstract submission process;
2) Complete and submit the Travel Award application form by September 30, 2009. 
3) Attach a copy of your abstract (.pdf or .doc file) directly to your application form, to the email that opens when you click on the above "submit by email" button, or include it in your mailed application.
4) Register as an NSA member for the 102nd Annual Meeting at www.was.org.
5) Submit one letter of recommendation from your advisor or other faculty mentor.
6) (Optional) Attach a cover letter explaining the need for travel assistance.

Email your application(s) as attachment files to gomezchi@uri.edu for receipt by September 30, 2009.  Alternatively, mail your application(s) to Dr. Marta Gómez-Chiarri for receipt by September 30, 2009.  Email submissions are strongly preferred. If submitting the application by email, the letter of recommendation should be emailed directly by the student’s advisor (either as attached .pdf or .doc files, or forming the body text of an email transmission). 

Dr. Marta Gómez-Chiarri
Dept. of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science
University of Rhode Island  169 CBLS
120 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI  02881
gomezchi@uri.edu, phone 401-874-2917

Good luck!  Recipients of travel awards will be notified by December 15, 2009. 

Please forward any questions concerning student awards to either Marta Gómez-Chiarri or Chris Dungan (cdungan@dnr.state.md.us; phone: 410-226-5193).