The Garden Club of America Award in Coastal Wetlands Studies aims to promote, expand and enrich the body of research concerning the coast by actively supporting graduate students in the field of coastal wetlands science. Applicants must be pursuing advanced degrees in coastal wetlands science. The field-based study must be in coastal wetlands in the U.S., defined as tidal or nontidal wetlands within the coastal states, including the Great Lake states. Applicants must be either a US citizen or a permanent resident of the United States. Applicants must submit the Project Information, their Vita, and Letters of Endorsement via email as a word document or PDF. The Project Information must include the Statement of Work; What portions of work have already been completed (if any); How the study benefits coastal wetlands; How funds would be used; and Plans or opportunities for sharing research results with a larger audience. Applicants must also submit letters of endorsement from their Major Professor or Advisor. The advisor should email this letter directly to the GCA Award Committee by January 10 with the name of the applicant and GCA reference letter" in the subject line. The letter should identify the student; indicate the status of the student in the graduate degree program; and evaluate the student's ability as an independent researcher. Selection criteria is based on the technical merit of proposed work, and degree to which the work is relevant to the Garden Club objective of promoting wetlands conservation. There is a preference for students who are early in their degree programs. Please visit the award's website or contact the Garden Club of America for more information.