Each year the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences hands out two awards to our undergrads to acknowledge their contributions to research, excellence in scholarship, demonstration of leadership, service, advocacy, activism etc. Each award comes with a cash prize of $500 and a certificate… and looks great on your CV!
DIANE ADAMS UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD:
This award was first presented in 2018 in memory of our colleague Dr. Diane Adams, who unfortunately passed away much too soon of brain cancer. Diane was an exceptional mentor of undergraduate students, having mentored numerous undergraduates in her much to short time at DMCS. Her enthusiasm for—and excellence in—teaching continues to be an inspiration to us all.
The award recognizes noteworthy contributions to research. All students interested in marine and coastal sciences are eligible.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD:
The Marine and Coastal Sciences Outstanding Senior Award is offered in recognition of the student’s accomplishments at Rutgers over the course of their study as well as their potential impact on the field. All senior students interested in marine and coastal sciences and planning to graduate during the year of their application are eligible. This award has been presented since 1992.
Application procedure for both awards:
Please start by contacting a faculty member who might be willing to support your application and write a letter of support for you. We will also reach out to faculty to encourage nominations. Students should submit the following:
1. A personal statement (2 pages maximum) that should include:
• Accomplishments and research interests
• A description of an internship or training gained during your undergraduate program
• A description of career goals after graduation
2. Curriculum vitae (1 pages maximum)
3. Unofficial Rutgers University transcript
4. A letter of endorsement from one faculty member (submitted separately). Please submit a name and we will contact them.
Students should submit their application (personal statement, transcript and CV) to Denise Laible (laible@marine.rutgers.edu) in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences. The application deadline will be announced via email in the spring and is typically late March/early April.
Other Awards:
Beyond our departmental awards, SEBS and the university also have several undergraduate awards each year covering a broad range of categories. Note that for some of them you can apply yourself, but others you would have to be nominated by a faculty member. IWatch our for email and if you think there’s an award that fits your profile, don’t be shy to ask to be nominated.