Scholarship - Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of research qualifies for the scholarship?
Mollusks
must play a part in the research but they no longer need to be the sole
focus of the research. Ideally we will learn something about
the life cycle of the mollusk, its role within its
environment or how it interacts with other flora or fauna. Of
course, research that solely focuses
on a particular mollusk is always welcome.
How long should my application be? We would prefer if it was kept to around three pages, however you won't be penalized if you absolutely cannot convey your project within that
space. You are
completely free to maximize your margins and spacing to fit as much on
a page as possible. Do I need to list references? They
are not specifically required, but it is nice to see the most relevant
references to your research. It is not necessary to copy every
reference you might use for your thesis and just becomes visual clutter.
Do I need letters of recommendation?
No, letters of recommendation are not required, nor are resumes and
transcripts. They will not be used in the decision-making process.How detailed does my itemized list of expenses need to be? We would like to see a clear representation of how the funds would be used. However, it is not necessary to list every item of lab equipment.
We assume "miscellaneous lab
supplies" includes the standard paraphernalia one might find in any lab. Specialized
or unusual pieces of
equipment or materials, or ones which need to be purchased in very large quantities, should be listed separately.
Expenses should relate directly to the process of doing your research.
What if I email my application and do not receive an acknowledgement? Email us again if you do not receive an acknowledgement within two days. Your email may have gotten misdirected or lost by the servers.
Generally, acknowledgements are
sent within hours if not by the end of the day it was received.
Don't wait until the last minute to email it.
Please use an email address which you check regularly! What if my application is late? Late
applications are not accepted. We announce the scholarship to the
schools in January so we feel there is plenty of time to send it
in by April 1st. Can I send my application in much earlier than April 1st? Absolutely. This assures you that there is plenty of time to know it was received and acknowledged. However, applications are not reviewed
until after April 1st, so there is no preference given to those sent in early.When are the recipients notified? All students who applied for a scholarship will be notified before June 1st, whether they won a scholarship or not. Notification is via email.
How many awards are available?
The
number of awards per year fluctuates based on the amount available in
our scholarship fund. In some years, multiple award winners
are possible. We have a fixed award amount but we
reserve the right to increase an individual award for an exceptional research proposal.
What is the newsletter I will receive?
Our club newsletter, The Dredgings, is published 4 times a year. It is a combination of scientific articles and the social happenings in our
club. Each winning student will receive the
newsletter via email. Many of our students contribute an article
to the newsletter. Items of
interest may
be submitted at any time, not necessarily just at the conclusion of
your research. A number of our students opt to continue
receiving the newsletter after they have completed their degree. Home About Us Meetings&Events Articles Northwest Shells Links Contact Us Site Map
This page last revised: 4-18-2026
