Plant Science Research Fellowship Program

The goal is to provide advanced graduate students, post-docs, and beginning faculty, working in organismal plant biology, with an extended a stay of 2 – 5 weeks on the Oak Spring estate to undertake independent writing and thinking, away from the day-to-day demands of their other responsibilities.

While at OSGF, the Fellow will be able to meet with staff, explore the 700-acre landscape and their efforts in sustainable land management, and visit their rare book library that holds over 19,000 objects, including many examples of botanical art. The Fellowship is well suited for individuals working on dissertations, or writing projects that require dedicated time in a supportive community with minimal distractions.

The Fellow will be scheduled to visit when there are other Interdisciplinary Residents or Fellows on-site. This scheduling will allow the Fellow to join in communal meals, and optional activities and field trips with other artists, ecologists, researchers, or scholars working on projects related to OSGF’s mission. Beyond time to develop their projects, a Fellow’s typical day at Oak Spring might include a walk to enjoy the landscape or birds; an appointment to visit the Oak Spring Library; and/or a morning spent volunteering at the BCCF or in the formal garden.  These optional activities provide Fellows time to learn from, and interact with their staff.  None of these activities are required, and they understand that some Fellows might want to spend most of their time in their writing or working independently. They support and enable Fellows to use their time as they best see fit. At the culmination of their stay, they encourage, but don’t require, Fellows to give a 20 – 30 minute presentation with time for questions, to Oak Spring staff and any other Fellows, Residents, or program participants who might be on site.

Award Information

• The $10,000 individual grant associated with this award can be put towards travel to and from OSGF, materials and supplies purchased for their Residency, and other items that will support their work, before or after their stay at OSGF.

Cost Covered

• The selected Fellow should make travel arrangements to Dulles International Airport, where Oak Spring will arrange ground transportation for them to their estate in Upperville, VA.  The Fellow will be housed in nicely appointed shared accommodations. The Fellow will have a private bedroom and bathroom, and share a living room and kitchen with 1 – 3 other Residents or Fellows.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants must be early-career plant scientists who have completed their undergraduate degree within the past ten years.
• The successful Fellow must be self-directed and able to work independently while on site.
• Applicants are expected to show dedication to their work in plant science, exceptional promise, good communication skills and excellence in what they have accomplished or plan to accomplish.

Selection Process

• A jury of established plant scientists, and science administrators will review the applicants and select the 2024 Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s Fellow in Plant Science Research.

For more information, visit Oak Spring Garden Foundation.