AAUS Student Scholarships

Research Awards

AAUS awards competitive scholarships to graduate students engaged in, or planning to begin, a research project in which diving is used as an important research tool or the research topic is diving science. One scholarship is given for each level, Ph.D. and Masters, at $3000 each. AAUS Foundation may also award two additional $1500 scholarships to the next top-ranking proposals. If the additional scholarships are awarded, they may be split between the master and doctoral programs or they may be both awarded within a single program.

Applicants for research awards must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Be a current member of AAUS (student or full member).
  • Be enrolled in or formally accepted into a master or doctoral program.
  • Submit electronically a brief proposal1 describing the research methods2, significance of the research, and detailed budget (if part of a larger budget, specify other funding and describe how AAUS funds will be spent).

1maximum length five pages, including references - single-spacing, 11 pitch font, one inch margins, figures welcome; include department and school affiliation in header text

2any diving to be conducted for the proposed research must be conducted under the auspices of an AAUS-sanctioned program

  • Have a letter of support submitted electronically from a faculty advisor.
  • Write an article for the E-Slate, an AAUS news publication, describing the proposed research.
  • Present the results of their research at an AAUS symposium or other scientific meeting within one year of the project’s completion.
  • To apply visit www.aausfoundation.org
  • For more information, contact the Scholarship Committee Chair at [email protected].

Proposal deadline is June 30.

Research award winners are announced October 01.

 

General Support Awards

Kevin Flanagan Student Travel Award provides up to $800 to undergraduate and/or graduate students interested in diving science to attend AAUS scientific meetings. The award is competitive merit-based. As many as three students may be funded annually.  *The Kevin Flanagan award was established in collaboration with Kevin's family as a legacy to his commitment to AAUS and scientific diving. Kevin served as AAUS board member (2009-2011) and diving safety officer at the University of Hawaii and East Carolina University prior to his death in April 2012. Our goal is to develop this as the first endowed award of the AAUS Foundation, permanently funded through interest earned on the raised capital.

 
Foundational Instruction for New SCUBA Scientists (FINSS)  -Recreational scuba diving is a privileged sport. Training costs money, the gear is expensive, getting to dive sites adds up. Many researchers cannot participate in the scientific diving training that they need due to the fact that they simply cannot afford to get their Open Water Scuba Certification. This scholarship addresses that need.
Who is this for?
- Those from underrepresented groups in diving
- Those who need to get a scientific diver certification for research, volunteer, or technical positions, but don’t have access to the prerequisite open water certification

What does the scholarship provide?
- Payment to the dive shop/instructor of recipients choosing for an open water scuba course, gear rental for the course, processing fees, and personal mask, fins, and snorkel.
 - One-year DAN Master Plan.
- 1 year AAUS student membership upon completion of their scientific diving course
  

See full application for Travel and FINSS awards at www.aausfoundation.org

 

More information and applications available at www.aausfoundation.org