Awards

SMBE 2008 Award winners

Walter M. Fitch Student Award

Beginning with the first annual meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE) in 1993, the Walter M. Fitch Symposium has provided a forum for young investigators to showcase their exemplary research.

Eligibility

Members of the SMBE who are either current graduate students or postdoctoral researchers who received the primary doctoral-level degree not earlier than June 1, 2007.

If you are not a SMBE member, click here to Become a Member

Application

Submit an abstract and indicate your interest in this award.

Selection

8 individuals will be selected to enter the competition on the basis of the abstracts submitted.

Presentation

Each contestant will make a 15-minute platform presentation in the Walter M. Fitch Student Award Competition on the afternoon of June 6, 2008. The winner will be chosen based on these presentations and awarded US $1,000.

Travel Awards

Each selected contestant will receive a travel award to cover the cost of airfare, accommodation, and meeting registration expenses. The travel award amount will not exceed US $1,000 for within-Europe contestants and $1,500 for all other contestants.

Additional Awards

Each participant will receive an online student/postdoc MBE subscription for the year of 2009.

Deadline

The deadline is March 3.

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SMBE Undergraduate Diversity Mentoring Program Awards

Program Outline

The Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE) is pleased to make available 10 awards for undergraduate students from underrepresented groups to participate in a Diversity Mentoring Program. The goals of this program are: (1) to promote diversity at the SMBE annual meeting, (2) to provide students with the opportunity to experience the excitement of attending and presenting at an international scientific conference, and (3) to foster enthusiasm for molecular biology and evolution as well as a possible career in this field.

To achieve these goals, each recipient of an SMBE Undergraduate Diversity Mentoring Program Award will be paired with two mentors, one a senior graduate student and the other a postdoctoral fellow or faculty member (who may or may not be the student’s current advisor).

Specific mentoring activities will include:

  • Attending conference sessions with the student, answering questions about the basic concepts being presented, and, more generally, explaining the ‘goings-on’ at a multi-day scientific conference.
  • Interacting with the student during some mealtimes, coffee breaks and other social gatherings.
  • Introducing the student to other undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members as a way of facilitating connections with potential future graduate supervisors and colleagues.
  • Attending the poster session and SBME Undergraduate Diversity Program Award reception with the student in order to minimize/overcome the anxiety often felt by first-time conference attendees.
  • Serving as a contact point for the student to help resolve any issues surrounding conference registration, travel and accommodation.

Eligibility

Candidates must currently be enrolled as undergraduate students (Bachelor's level degree) or have graduated within the last 6 months at the time of application and be from groups underrepresented in our scientific discipline.

Meeting Participation

Recipients of an SMBE Undergraduate Diversity Mentoring Program Award will be invited to present their research at a special reception / poster session on Friday, June 6, attended by their mentors, supervisors and other interested conference participants.

Award

10 awards will be handed out. Awards recipients will receive a travel award to cover the cost of airfare, accommodation, and Meeting registration expenses. The travel award amount will not exceed US $1,000 for within-Europe contestants and $1,500 for all other contestants. Each participant will also receive an online student subscription to the Society journal, Molecular Biology and Evolution, for the year of 2009.

Application

1. Faculty members may nominate undergraduates by sending a brief letter/email of recommendation to Laura Katz (Lkatz[at]email.smith.edu) and John Archibald (john.archibald[at]dal.ca). The letter should outline the student’s eligibility for the award and confirm their current academic status. Also indicate if your student would be able to present a poster.

OR

2. Students may apply for the award themselves by providing information on their background, academic status and an email address for their current supervisor. Students should also indicate whether they are able to present a poster.

The deadline for receipt of nominations/applications is February, 15.

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Postdoctoral Researcher Travel Awards

SMBE announces competition for 10 postdoctoral  researcher travel awards.

NOTE: A postdoctoral researcher can enter the Walter M. Fitch Prize and the Graduate Travel Awards competitions at the same time.

Eligibility

Members of the SMBE who are currently postdoctoral researchers (who received the primary doctoral –level degree no earlier than June 1, 2004).
If you are not SMBE member, click here to Become a Member.

Application

Submit an abstract and indicate your interest in the award.

Selection

10 individuals will be chosen to receive the award on the basis of the abstracts submitted.

Presentation

Each awardee will make a 15-minute platform presentation in a symposium. The symposium will be assigned based on the awardees’ research description.

Travel Award

Each awardee will receive funds to cover the cost of airfare, accommodation, and meeting registration expenses for the 2008 meeting at Barcelona. The travel award amount will not exceed US $1,000 for within-Europe contestants and $1,500 for all other contestants.

Additional Awards

Each participant will receive an online student MBE subscription for the year of 2009.

Deadline

The Deadline is March 3.

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Graduate Student Travel Awards

SMBE announces competition for 10 graduate students travel awards.

NOTE: A graduate student can enter the Walter M. Fitch Prize and the Graduate Travel Award competitions at the same time.

Eligibility

Members of the SMBE who are currently enrolled as graduate students.
If you are not a SMBE member, click here to Become a Member.

Application

Submit an abstract and indicate your interest in this award.

Selection

10 individuals will be chosen to receive the award on the basis of the abstracts submitted.

Presentation

Each awardee will make a 15-minute platform presentation in a symposium. The symposium will be assigned based on the awardees' research description.

Travel Award

Each awardee will receive funds to cover the cost of airfare, accommodation, and meeting registration expenses for the 2008 meeting at Barcelona. The travel award amount will not exceed US $1,000 for within-Europe contestants and $1,500 for all other contestants.

Additional Awards

Each participant will receive an online student MBE subscription for the year of 2009.

Deadline

The deadline is March 3.

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Best Graduate Student Poster Award

6 awards will be given to the graduate student with the most outstanding poster presentation at the Meeting, as determined by appointed SMBE judges.

Eligibility

Candidates must be current graduate students.

Application

All posters presented by graduate students are automatically entered in this competition.

Award

The 6 recipients of this award will receive a certificate and books.

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Best Postdoctoral Researcher Poster Award

6 awards will be given to the postdoctoral researcher with the most outstanding poster presentation at the Meeting, as determined by appointed SMBE judges.

Eligibility

Candidates must have completed their graduate degree no earlier than June 1, 2004, and should be currently conducting post-doctoral research.

Application

All posters presented by postdoctoral researchers are automatically entered in this competition.

Award

The 6 recipients of this award will receive a certificate and books.

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