Undergraduate Excellence in Paleontology

Scholarship Sponsored by Association for Women Geoscientists

Introduction
The Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG) invites applications for the Undergraduate Excellence in Paleontology Award. This prize includes a $1,000 cash award plus memberships in both the Paleontological Society and AWG for the duration of the recipient’s academic enrollment. The award recognizes an outstanding female undergraduate preparing for a career in paleontology. This competition is made possible through generous donations from David Watkins and Mary Anne Holmes.

Key dates and contact
- Complete application packet (single PDF) and recommendation letter(s) must be submitted no later than April 30th. Late submissions will not be considered.
- Send application materials and any questions to goldring@awg.org. Use the following subject line for your email: Undergraduate Paleo Award Applicant’s Name.
- The recipient will be notified in May and the award funds will be distributed in early summer.

Eligibility
- Applicants must be women enrolled as undergraduate students in paleontology or related disciplines at an accredited, degree-granting institution.
- The applicant must be enrolled as a student during the period the award is held.
- A transcript (official or unofficial) is required as proof of student status. Student ID numbers and Social Security numbers MUST BE redacted/blackened out. Applications that include unredacted identifying numbers will not be reviewed.
- Candidates should demonstrate strong motivation, professional promise, outreach activities, and a long-term commitment to their career goals.
- The Winifred Goldring Award may be received only once during a student’s graduate school career.
- Prior membership in AWG or the Paleontological Society is not required.
- Applicants from other countries are eligible except those from sanctioned nations.

Application materials (AWG must receive a single PDF packet by April 30th)
1. Completed application form including name, institution, and email address.
2. Transcript(s) showing academic record in the current degree program (official or unofficial). Remember to blackout student ID numbers and Social Security numbers.
3. Personal statement (maximum 500 words; one page). Address how you became interested in paleontology, your long-term career plans and goals, current and planned research interests in the field, and any related extracurricular activities that support your objectives.
4. Curriculum vitae (maximum 5 pages). Provide a clear, dated CV in reverse chronological order. Include publications, meeting abstracts, extracurricular involvement, professional development, awards and honors, grants, GPA, and relevant work experience. Do not list coursework (this information is covered by your transcripts). For CV formatting guidance see: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/641/01/.

Letters of recommendation
AWG requires one letter of recommendation from a faculty member or scientific mentor on departmental or official letterhead. Letters must be sent directly to goldring@awg.org (not included in the applicant’s PDF packet). Recommenders should address:
a. The nature and extent of their experience with the applicant.
b. The applicant’s current and potential future contributions to paleontology and the wider community.
c. The applicant’s potential for long-term success in a paleontological career.
d. Strengths and weaknesses in leadership, intellectual ability, academic achievement, character, and community involvement.
e. Any circumstances that might have affected the applicant’s academic record and do not reflect her true potential.

Award obligations for recipients
- Annual progress report: Submit a brief (250 words or fewer) report to the Award Committee at the end of the first award year and annually thereafter until the recipient completes the degree program. The report should summarize academic and research progress and any outreach activities.
- Public statement and photo: In the first year of the award, provide a personal statement (500 words or fewer) describing your interests in paleontology and a photograph for publication in Gaea.
- Attendance: Make every reasonable effort to attend the AWG Breakfast and the Paleontological Society Dinner during the first year’s Geological Society of America annual meeting, where the award recipient will be publicly acknowledged.

If you have questions about the application process, contact goldring@awg.org.