Martin-Baker Research Award Grant

Martin-Baker Research Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Mycological Society of America
Amount: US $3,000
Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Summary

The Martin-Baker Research Award recognizes outstanding contributions in mycology by recent PhD graduates. This award honors the legacy of George W. Martin and Gladys E. Baker, esteemed educators in the field. The award supports research efforts while fostering community engagement at the Mycological Society of America's annual meeting. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply for additional travel support to facilitate their participation, ensuring a vibrant exchange of ideas in the mycological community.

Overview

Martin-Baker Research Award The Martin-Baker award honors two respected teachers of mycology, both of whom had long and distinguished careers in mycology, and both of whom have faithfully served the Mycological Society of America in several capacities (see biographies below). The Martin-Baker Award is given to a recent (within 10 years) PhD mycologist for the support of new or ongoing research. We expect all award winners to make every effort to attend the annual meeting and encourage all applicants to concurrently apply for an MSA Travel Award in support of that. Presence at the MSA meeting to accept the award gives awardees the opportunity to meet the mycological community, and it gives MSA members an opportunity to meet the awardees. George W. Martin and Gladys E. Baker George W. Martin (b. 1886- d. 1971) (M.S. Rutgers University, 1915; Ph.D. University of Chicago, 1922) was associated with the Botany Department of the University of Iowa (Iowa City) from 1923 until his death in 1971. He served there as Professor, Head of the Department (1953 to 1955), and Emeritus Professor. After retirement in 1955, he was Visiting Professor for two years at the University of Illinois (Urbana), but then returned to the University of Iowa. Dr. Martin was world-renown for his phylogenetic concepts of the fungi and related organisms and for his authoritative research and taxonomic treatments of the Myxomycetes and the Tremellales. He served as an officer of various scientific societies, was President of the Mycological Society of America (1944), was Editor-In-Chief of Mycologia (1950-1957), and was among the initial group honored by the Botanical Society of America with a Certificate of Merit (1956). In 1970 he received the Henry Allan Gleason Award from the New York Botanic Garden. Gladys E. Baker (M.S. University of Iowa, 1932; Ph.D. Washington University, St. Louis, 1935) taught at Vassar College from 1941 to 1961, and served 13 years as Chair of the Plant Science Department where she directed 3 graduate students. She offered the first course in medical mycology at seven women’s colleges. She is a charter member of the Medical Mycological Society of the Americas and a fellow of A.A.A.S. From 1961 to 1973 she taught at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. There she supervised 13 graduate students for advanced degrees in both general and medical mycology. Students remember her as an effective and enthusiastic teacher, a scientist with the highest integrity, and a warm and caring friend.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The nominee/applicant should: Be an individual in a small department, who, because of heavy teaching schedules, may find it difficult to attract major grant support.Be a current MSA member or must have applied for membership at the time of the award applicationBe a recent (within the past 10 years) Ph.D. mycologist within 5 years of being hired into the current position.Research in areas of expertise related to the works of Drs. Martin and Baker and which includes a field component. The MSA encourages and welcomes nominations of all individuals regardless of race and ethnicity, country of origin, sex, gender identity, religion, age, education level, socioeconomic status, marital status, parental status, physical ability, neurological differences, political affiliation, and sexual orientation. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.

Ineligibility

Grants should not be given for indirect costs but should be applied directly to research needs. Funds are not to be awarded for travel to meetings, although research related travel may be supported, if adequately justified. This award is .vidual and is not an institutional award.