The Lafayette Frederick Diversity in Mentoring grant provides mentored experiences in plant pathology for students and postdocs from underrepresented minority groups, with the ultimate goal of increasing diversity in APS and the plant health community at large.
Mentors applying for the fund must be current APS members.
Mentors at any career stage are welcome to apply.
Mentees can be undergraduates or graduate students intending to study in plant pathology, or postdoctoral scientists working in plant pathology.
High school student mentoring will be considered on a special basis.
Mentors can work with either individuals or groups.
Applicants to download the
required application form and upload this form when submitting their application online.
Submit Application
Application Deadline is May 1, 2024
Applications will be reviewed and recommended for funding by a panel consisting of an officer of APS Council, the chair of the APS graduate student committee or their committee designee, chair or vice-chair of the APS Committee on Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion or their committee member designee, and an officer of the APS Foundation Board of Directors. The panel’s evaluation of proposals will be guided by the goal of the Lafayette Frederick Fund, i.e., how likely is the proposed activity to increase the number of practicing plant pathologists from underrepresented groups.
Questions? Contact the APS Foundation Board.
Funding available for FY24
- $2,000 grant (1)
- Mentors should propose use of funds to directly support their mentees' experiences.
- Examples of fund use include, but are not limited to, supporting mentees' research projects, mentees' travel to a meeting or other institution, mentees' professional development training or training materials.
Previous Recipients
2023: Evan Buckner
2022: Renata Belisario and Sara Thomas-Sharma
2021: Corri Hamilton and Tiffany Lowe-Power
Established in 2020, the goal of the Lafayette Frederick Diversity in Mentoring Fund is to increase the number of practicing plant pathologists from underrepresented groups, particularly those from historically Black colleges and universities, 1890 land-grant institutions, Tribal colleges and universities (1994 land-grant institutions), and minority serving institutions. The fund is designed to enable mentors and enhance the academic and professional experiences of mentees. Through encouragement of personal growth and support of experiential learning, the fund seeks to introduce and attract mentees to the study of plant pathology, and ultimately to increase their representation within the plant pathology profession. Funds can be used in a variety of ways to support mentoring efforts and mentees’ development.
Testimonials from former students and colleagues
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