Christopher Columbus Coin Image

2010 Agriscience Awards

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, and the American Farm Bureau Federation, have formed a partnership to present eight monetary awards and research funding to three groups representing new innovative approaches in the field of agriscience around the country.

Purpose:

The awards will honor two adult scientists and also provide research funds; three secondary school educators and three secondary school students who are judged to exemplify excellence in the agriscience field.

Eligibility and Selection Process:

This is a competition NOT a grant application. Individuals compete and their accomplishments are judged on how they exemplify excellence in the field of agriscience.

The 2010 Agriscience Awards program shall consist of the following eight awards:

Two $50,000 Distinguished Agriscience Scientist Awards

Two $25,000 Distinguished Agriscience Scientist Awards will be presented to adult scientists who are making or have recently made significant and positive contributions in the field of agriscience. In addition, $25,000 will be presented to each scientist recipient to be used to hire a graduate student/researcher to assist with a specific research project or to be used toward the project itself. The awards will provide incentive for continuing the research.

A comprehensive outline of the specific research project must accompany the initial Nomination, and will be judged as part of the overall Nomination packet submitted. Funds for the research project will be released in increments based on the progression of the research, not to exceed two years, with a final report on the results due upon completion.

Criteria
  1. All Candidates must be living United States citizens.
  2. The Nomination must demonstrate a program of ongoing work with a specific outcome suggesting that an important achievement will result.
  3. The Nomination’s proposed achievement must benefit the field of agriscience in a unique and effective manner, demonstrating originality from other work in the same or related field(s).
  4. The proposed achievement must correlate to a tangible outcome to advance the field of agriscience.
  5. A comprehensive outline of the specific research project must accompany the initial Nomination, and will be judged as part of the overall Nomination packet submitted.
  6. Any Nomination that does not meet the above stated criteria will be disqualified.

Three $10,000 Agriscience Educator Awards

Three $10,000 Agriscience Educator Awards will be presented to current secondary school educators, with at least five years of teaching experience, and who emphasize concepts, principles and applications in their curriculum to promote the study of agriscience to students.

Criteria
  1. All Candidates must be living United States citizens.
  2. The Nomination must demonstrate an ongoing teaching strategy that evidences proficiency in instructing students in the field of agriscience.
  3. The Nomination must demonstrate an enterprising spirit in teaching and making available resources to students that promote excellence in the field of agriscience.
  4. The Nomination must demonstrate outstanding teaching, guidance and mentoring of students for independent study projects.
  5. Any Nomination that does not meet the above stated criteria will be disqualified.

Three $5,000 Agriscience Student Awards

Three $5,000 Agriscience Student Awards will be presented to current secondary school students who are making or have recently made a significant and positive contribution related to the field of agriscience.

Criteria
  1. All Candidates must be living United States citizens.
  2. Nominations are strongly encouraged from educators, faculty members and school administrators personally familiar with the student’s academic achievements in the field of agriscience.
  3. Nominees must demonstrate ongoing work and/or provide proven evidence that distinguishes them in the field of agriscience. Any Nomination that does not meet the above stated criteria will be disqualified.

 

NOMINATION MATERIALS:
  1. If a Nomination is selected as a semifinalist, the Nominator will be notified and asked to provide copies of supporting materials.
  2. All Nominations and materials submitted in connection with the Agriscience Awards and any reproductions made therefrom, shall be solely, exclusively and entirely the property of the Foundation and shall not be returned.
  3. The Foundation shall have the sole and exclusive right to use, and permit others to use, the above stated Nomination and materials including the candidate’s name, likeness, and other biographical information and promotions, news releases and advertising in connection with either present or future Foundation programs or similar programs or awards. All materials submitted become the property of the Foundation without any compensation to the candidate, however, the Foundation does not claim ownership of the “intellectual property” submitted.

 

ADDITIONAL RULES:

Nominees must be permitted to accept a monetary award bestowed by the Foundation, a Federal government agency.

Awards may be taxable income to the recipient. All tax liabilities are the sole responsibility of the winner. All Federal, State and local laws and regulations apply.

Winners must attend the awards ceremony on July 12, 2010, in Washington, D.C., in order to receive the award. Anyone who cannot attend the award ceremony will automatically be disqualified.

Nominations are received online ONLY at: www.agriscienceawards.com.

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, April 6, 2010.

The Foundation reserves the right to cancel or change the Agriscience Awards program competition at any time at its full discretion.