MSA Interchange Invitee Award

MSA Interchange Invitee Award

_The MSA Interchange Ambassador’s fund supports up to two MSA Interchange Invitees (members of diverse communities welcomed to MSA) annually._

The MSA Interchange Invitee awards are presented annually to exceptional scientists from underrepresented groups to participate in the MSA annual meeting. Applicants may not yet be MSA members or may have recently joined but have not attended a previous MSA meeting. Candidates must be engaged in mycology, interested in joining the MSA if not already a member, and willing to present their research at the annual MSA meeting.

Evaluation criteria include:

• An abstract of the research to be presented at the MSA annual meeting
• Academic, professional, and/or service accomplishments
• Professional or academic activities relevant to mycology.

Award Terms

MSA Interchange Ambassadors are expected to attend and present at the MSA annual meeting during the year of their award. At the meeting, the Invitee will be paired with an MSA mentor to help the Invitee navigate the meeting and network with society members. Awardees will be recognized at the MSA Business Meeting or Awards Ceremony. The following are also conditions of the award for Invitees:

• 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 of receipt.
• 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.
• Each awardee will contribute a 1-2 page report detailing their activities to the MSA within one year of receiving the award. Part of this report may be published in Inoculum or on other MSA venues (e.g., MSA website). This will be a great opportunity to promote your research to the MSA community. Articles will be requested by the MSA Awards Coordinator.
• Please acknowledge MSA in any products that result from this support (e.g., poster presentations, oral presentations, and scientific articles.)

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Award Requirements
  • Applicants may represent any academic level at or subsequent to the undergraduate stage.
  • Self-nomination and nomination of deserving colleagues are both encouraged.
  • It is expected that the selected applicants would attend the MSA meeting in the year in which they submit their application.