Heidemarie Johnson Scholarship Fund in Applied Student Educational Experiences

The intent of the Heidemarie Johnson Scholarship Fund is to support undergraduate and graduate student members of the Paleontological Society who wish to attend in-person or virtual training courses or workshops that will enhance their scientific knowledge or skills beyond the training that is available to them at their institution of higher learning. Eligible costs include workshop fees and associated travel expenditures (transportation, lodging, meals, etc.). Priority for support will be given to students who are pursuing academic or non-academic careers in paleontology and closely-related fields.

Dr. Heidemarie Johnson was a vertebrate paleontologist who left the entirety of her estate to the Paleontological Society when she passed away in 2020. This fund is supported by Dr. Johnson’s generous gift.

The number of scholarships will depend on the earnings of the Heidemarie Johnson endowment each year. Applications can be for any dollar amount of $2500 or less. The Grants Committee may reduce the amount requested. Use of Johnson Grant funds to match institutional funds is encouraged.

If awarded, funds will not be released to the applicant until a notice of acceptance in the course or workshop has been provided to the chair of the Student Grants Committee. If a Heidemarie Johnson grant is awarded to a student, but the student is not subsequently admitted to the desired course or workshop, the funds may be held and carried over for one additional year so that the student has a second chance to seek entrance into the course or workshop.

Grant applications are due March 1. of each year.

Requirements

• Applicants must be members of the Paleontological Society at the time of application.
• Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students at an accredited college or university at the time of application. Students studying outside of the United States are eligible to apply; funds will be awarded in U.S. dollars.
• The course or workshop to which a student is applying must be at an institution other than their current institution. Workshops held at professional conferences are eligible.
• Applicants must acknowledge that they have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (in their major, undergrad overall, or grad overall) at the time of application. (Note that this 3.5 GPA requirement was stipulated by Heidemarie Johnson in her will.)
• Awardees must provide a summary of their experience within a year of their award.

Application

All applications must be submitted electronically by completing and submitting this form. An email confirmation will be sent to all applicants.

Applications will be handled by the Student Grants Committee. Applications should not exceed two pages in length. Use 12-point type with standard/default margins.

In your application, please describe:

• Your current area of scholarly focus in your academic studies.
• Your current professional career goals.
• The course or workshop that you are interested in attending, its location, when it will occur, and—if available—a hyperlink to its corresponding webpage.
• Your reason(s) for wanting to take the course or attend the workshop, including:
• The new skills that you expect to take away from the course or workshop.
• How you expect your new skills will help you to attain your educational and/or professional goals. For example, if the course will teach you how to perform a new type of analysis, how will you utilize your new skills to further a research project that you are working on?
• Why you cannot receive this training at your current institution.

Your application must also include a budget (maximum of $2500) that explains and justifies the associated costs. Eligible costs include course or workshop fees as well as associated travel costs (e.g., transportation, lodging, meals, etc.).

A letter of support should be sent via e-mail to [email protected], Chair of the Student Research Committee, directly by student’s advisor or other recommender by the award deadline. Letter writers should include the applicant’s first and last name in the subject and body of the e-mail message.