The Darvin DeShazer Scholarship Program
Academic Scholarships
Application deadline: May 31 for Summer/Autumn funds dispersal
Academic scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students studying mycology and fungi-related topics. The top three awards are usually up to $3000 from the Tom Volk, Gary Lincolf, and Gene Zeirdt Memorial Scholarships. Other scholarships of varying amounts may be awarded at the Scholarship Committee's discretion. Funded applicants will be asked to present their work, findings or another aspect of current mycology, usually at SOMA Camp in January or at one of our General Meetings in February - April.
Graduate students will be given priority for funding and undergraduates will receive support from SOMA at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
In addition to the google form linked below, you must also send us your academic curriculum vitae (CV): a comprehensive record of your educational background, teaching and research experience.
You must also send us a 1-2 page letter of recommendation/endorsement from someone connected to your academic pursuits like your advisor, PI, mentor, etc. You can send your CV and letter(s) to somamushrooms@gmail.com.
Mycology Community-Science Scholarships
Application deadline: May 31 for Summer/Autumn funds dispersal
Community-based scholarships are open to anyone doing work relevant to mycology or fungi-associated technologies. Unlike our academic scholarships, you do not need to be officially affiliated with an institute or university. These scholarships are meant to help support people striving to build community around mycology and utilize emerging technologies to study fungi in novel ways.
At the discretion of the scholarship committee, awards will be up to $1000 per recipient.
All applications must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation and/or endorsement from someone with mycological experience. These should be sent to somamushrooms@gmail.com after you complete the application form linked below.
We envision these scholarships going to support community lab spaces, sequencing equipment, cultivation workshops, documentation of new species, bio/mycoremediation, and fungi-related educational outreach. Pitch us your best ideas!
If you are awarded a scholarship, we do ask that you present a summary of your findings/work at our monthly SOMA members meeting or at our annual SOMA Camp.
Youth/Student Scholarships for SOMA Camp
In order to encourage younger folks/students to become more interested in mycology and join us at SOMA Camp (to help hasten humanity becoming mycologically literate), we have this exciting opportunity! If you (or your child) are in the age range of 10-24 years and have an interest in mycology, we encourage you to apply!
Limit 5 per SOMA Camp
Application window: September 1st -December 15th of each year (for the upcoming January Camp dates)
All Youth/Student Scholarship recipients aged 10-17 must be accompanied by an adult
We will prioritize young people aged 10-17, but we don’t always get enough applicants for those of you in the 18-24 age range!
How to apply:
Use the appropriate forms linked above and email completed application materials to: scholarships@somamushrooms.org
If you have any questions, feel free to send us an email.