MSA Best Oral and Poster Presentations Grant

The MSA Best Oral and Poster Presentations awards recognize outstanding graduate and undergraduate student presentations at the annual MSA meeting. Named after distinguished mycologists Meredith Blackwell and John W. Taylor, this award encourages students to present their research. Awardees must be current MSA members and submit a biography and photo. The recognition highlights the importance of student contributions in advancing mycology and is part of the 2025 MSA Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin.

Note:  Students will be selected at the MSA Annual Meeting.
2025 MSA Annual Meeting – Fungal Futures: Cultivating Mycology and Mycologists
Each year during the annual meeting, MSA recognizes the best oral and poster presentations of graduate and undergraduate students. Two prizes are awarded annually to the two best talks presented by graduate students at the annual MSA meeting. These awards are named in honor of two distinguished mycologists: one is named for Meredith Blackwell and the other is named for John W. Taylor. Both individuals care about graduate students a lot!
Best undergraduate presentations are also recognized with talk and poster awards; the number of undergraduate awards ranges from one to two and is at the discretion of the committee.
Award Terms
All awardees must provide a short biography (100-200 words) and a photo (if possible) within two weeks of notification from the Awards Coordinator, using the Awardee Document Submission Form. These will be requested at the appropriate time. Photos and biographies will be published in Inoculum.The award check must be deposited or cashed within 5 months.Each award recipient is required to complete a W-9 form prior to receiving their award funds. Awardees will be contacted by the management company regarding this process. (This only applies if you have a U.S. Social Security Number).Keep copies of your W-9 and all receipts and expenses that are part of this award. These documents are important and may be necessary for tax purposes.

Eligibility

Award RequirementsThe applicant must be a current member of the MSA.Persons eligible for a Graduate Research Prize are M.Sc. or PhD candidates or those who will have been awarded the degree within one year of the annual meeting.Application may be made for either but not both categories of graduate research best presentation awards. A student can apply for and receive both a Research, Travel or Student Award and a Best Oral Presentation Award.
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. The applicant must be a current member of the MSA.

Ineligibility

Previous recipients of either category of Best Graduate or Undergraduate Best Presentation Award are not eligible for a second award.