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​​​​​OPSR ​Plant Pathology Experiential Fund

The APS Office of Private Sector Relations (OPSR), with support from APS Foundation, sponsors two Plant Pathology Experiential funds to promote career and research de​​velopment experience and opportunities​ with organizations classified within industry and/or government. This initiative was created in 2014 with seed funding from the Don and Judy Mathre Education Endowment and through the support of private sector companies. 

The purpose of this fund is to support professional development, learn about career opportunities and/or gain technical expertise in support of ​​current research endeavors​.

• $1,000 is available on an annual basis to an individual graduate student or post-doctorate for funding in support of a short-term learning experience with a non-academic institution. Funds are used to subsidize travel to the host organization. APS membership is required. 
  

• Every two years a travel subsidy of $4,000 is available to academia departments to support an on-site visit to 2+ non-academic organization​s to create and increase awareness of business operations and potential career opportunities​. ​Funding next available in FY2026.
  

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Individual Applicants

​Departmental Applicants (given out every 2 years) 

• ​​Who should apply: Academic research departments​​
  
• What to expect: a short-term experience for students and post-docs with a government or private institution outside of academia.
  
• Purpose: to enhance the awareness of business operations and potential career opportunities in institutions outside of academia.
  
• Funds available: $4,000 will be available in FY2026 to subsidize travel to the host institution(s).​
  
• Other details: This fund may contribute toward participation in the OPSR Private and Public Sectors Plant Pathology Tour​ when/if the tour takes place in the same year​.
  

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​​Individual Application Requirements

• one-page essay describing the objectives, approximate dates, and expected outcomes of the experience​
  
• applicant's current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• acknowledgement from the company or organization of the willingness to serve as host
• approval from the student and/or post-doctorate's advisor for the short-term visit to the host institution/company​
  

Department Application Requirements​​ - next accepted in FY2026

• One letter describing:
  
• the institution or company to be visited
  
• approximate visit dates
• estimated number of students/faculty/post-doctoral scientists/technical staff that might participate in the visit,
• how the experience will add value to the department
• ​One letter of approval from the head or chair of the university department for the visit
• One acknowledgement from the host organization of its willingness to accommodate a visit from that university department.​​

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Recipients are selected by a review committee that will evaluate applications based on merit of individual applicants as well as the quality and expected outcome of the proposed experience.

Individual and department applicants will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of members of the APS Office of Private Sector Relations and the APS Foundation.​

Recipients