Gus Poesch Research Fund Grant

The Gus Poesch Research Fund, established in honor of innovator Gus Poesch, offers approximately $40,000 annually to support floriculture-related projects at The Ohio State University. This fund prioritizes projects that recruit high-quality graduate students, advance research, and improve industry practices. Emphasizing relevance to current industry needs, funded projects may cover pest management, production techniques, and postharvest quality. The fund encourages collaboration and aims to enhance the profitability and sustainability of the floral industry.

About the Gus Poesch Research Fund
The Gus Poesch Research Fund was established in honor of a true innovator and stimulator of research, and an influential educator and respected businessman, Gus Poesch.
Approximately $40,000 is available and granted annually for recruitment, research, teaching, or floriculture projects at The Ohio State University.
MULTIPLE-YEAR AND TEAM PROJECTS
To accomplish the research goals of the project, the Endowment funds one to three-year projects. In addition, projects with either a single researcher or multiple researchers at the same or different institutions are considered. When two or more researchers are included, a “team leader” must be designated to coordinate the implementation and reporting of the project. Grants will be paid to each team member and/or institution separately as requested.
INDUSTRY RELEVANT RESEARCH
Research funded by the American Floral Endowment should be relevant to current and future industry needs, and results should provide information that has commercial applications directly to the industry – growers, wholesalers, retailers, and transportation. Publication of trade magazine articles, AFE newsletter articles, and scientific publications will be requested as part of funded projects. Researchers may be asked to participate in webinars and to provide presentations for the flower industry. Prior to submitting the proposal, AFE requests that the application contains the name and contact information of two industry representatives who support the proposed research.
Our Focus
Reduced labor, production efficiency, improved pest management practices, and improved postharvest quality and efficiency lead to increased profits for growers. Challenges related to these issues face the floral industry every day. The American Floral Endowment has supported industry-driven and industry-focused research for over 60 years, thanks to industry support. Today, AFE focuses on the needs of the floral industry now and in the future by supporting projects.
These projects address key needs of the industry from Thrips and Botrytis control, to developing the next generation of anti-ethylene control and development of disease-resistant plants. Results from the ongoing projects are shared with the industry in trade magazine publications, electronic newsletters, conferences and trade shows, and here on the AFE website. Additionally, research findings are presented monthly through AFE’s Grow Pro Webinar Series. These webinars are free to attend thanks to industry sponsorships and include time for direct Q&A with the researchers.

Eligibility

PROJECTS MEETING THE CRITERIA BELOW WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING FROM THE GUS POESCH RESEARCH FUND:Funding the recruitment of high-quality floriculture graduate students to The Ohio State University.Funding of floriculture graduate student research at The Ohio State University.Funding of start-up costs for research, teaching, and extension of young floriculture faculty members of The Ohio State University.New: Funding of floriculture research projects provided that qualified funding requests for graduate student recruitment, travel, and research (as outlined in 1-5 above) have been considered.RESEARCH PRIORITIES:A survey of growers indicated the following research opportunities in our mission to improve the production and marketability of plants:Increasing shelf life /garden performance
Water quality /alkalinity control
Evaluation /development of biocontrol methods and management techniques
Perennial production techniques
Production techniques to conserve water and protect groundwaterControl of pest problems such as: thrips, aphids, whitefly, fungus gnats
Control of disease problems such as: TSWV, botrytis, mildew, pythiumIf funded, researchers agrees to:Present a final research report at the conclusion of the project (within 60 days of the completion of the project).
Provide acknowledgment of funding by the American Floral Endowment in all publications and presentations.
Submit an annual project progress report annually (for multi-year projects).
Publish not only in professional journals and other scientific publications but also in industry publications, including AFE newsletters and trade magazines.
Present findings via webinar to the industry.