The Garden Club of America Award in Desert Studies Grant

The Garden Club of America Award in Desert Studies Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Garden Club of America
Amount: US $4,000
Last Updated: November 29, 2025

Summary

The Garden Club of America Award in Desert Studies, established in 2006, supports graduate and junior/senior undergraduate students in the fields of horticulture, conservation, and landscape design focused on arid environments. With a funding provision of $4,000 for one year, this award encourages practical field experience through internships at accredited botanical gardens. U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled in a U.S. institution are eligible, while international applicants are not considered due to IRS restrictions.

Overview

Purpose To promote the study of horticulture, conservation, botany, environmental science and landscape design relating to the arid landscape. History The award was established in 2006 by Nancy O. Swanson (Mrs. Robert), Columbine (Arizona) Garden Club, who served on both the Scholarship Committee and the Garden History and Design Committee. Mrs. Swanson and her husband saw the need to provide financial support to students in this field through their long-standing involvement on the Board of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix and a personal interest in design in the arid landscape in Arizona and around the world. The Scholarship Committee had been interested in this award for some time prior to its establishment due to concern over expanding desert land areas in the United States and abroad. Provisions Funds one or more scholars for one year at $4,000. The award is intended to have a wide scope pertaining to the arid environment. Students wishing to intern should contact their chosen botanical garden or arboreta to frame a plan of work that will guide both the intern and the garden staff in implementation and monitoring. This plan should include the time period in which the student will be available for the internship. The student should also check with the student's advisor office to see if university credit will be given for the internship program, although academic credit is not required. At the completion of the internship or proposed project, the student would submit a written report of achievements to both the accredited botanical garden or arboretum and the GCA.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Open to graduate and junior or senior undergraduate students.Eligibility is open to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents who are enrolled in a U.S. - based institution.Only one GCA scholarship, Fellowship or award may be applied for annually.

Ineligibility

Due to IRS restrictions, GCA is unable to fund awards for international applicants.