Scholarships & Awards

There are many available scholarships, fellowships and awards for undergraduates in the Department of Entomology. All awards are given annually; unless stated otherwise, applications are due by April 2, 2022.

 

The Sara Elizabeth Klein Undergraduate Scholarship in Entomology

The Sara Elizabeth Klein Undergraduate Scholarship in Entomology was established in honor of Sara Elizabeth, who loved insects and whose life was tragically cut short in a car accident in 2016. Before the accident, Sara was working toward her degree in Entomology. The purpose of this award is to help students achieve what Sara never got a chance to by providing financial support to undergraduates beginning study in Entomology at Michigan State University. It is the donor’s preference that each year two awardees will receive approximately $2000 each (contingent on funding) toward their tuition.

Eligibility:

The Sara Elizabeth Klein Undergraduate Scholarship in Entomology is awarded annually to incoming freshmen or transfer students majoring in Entomology at Michigan State University. To be eligible for this award, a student must have applied and been accepted to MSU, with Entomology as the declared major. The student must have financial need as demonstrated through FAFSA. It is the donor’s intent to give preference to students with interest in the study of ladybugs, butterflies, or dragonflies, which were Sara’s favorites. However, other areas of entomological interest will also be considered.

Release of funds is contingent upon completion of one semester of study as an Entomology major in good academic standing, with an overall GPA above 2.5.

Application:

To apply for this award, students should submit (1) a current 1-page resume, and (2) a statement of interest.

The statement of interest should be one page, single-spaced, 12-point font with one-inch margins. Your statement should include a brief summary of your career goals, why you have chosen to pursue a career path in Entomology, and any areas of particular interest within Entomology.

Applications should be emailed to Dr. Amanda Lorenz (lorenzam@msu.edu) and Heather Lenartson-Kluge (lenartso@msu.edu) by September 30.

Bug House Scholarship/Fellowship

The Bug House provides opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to conduct educational public outreach, teaching folks about the importance of insects and other arthropods through tours of the Bug House as well as public open house events. The Bug House offers fellowships and scholarships to any guide who participates in a minimum of 10 Bug House events per calendar year.

Lead guides give a presentation and oversee the tour and accrue $15 per tour toward their scholarship total. Assistant guides hand out live insects and accrue $12 per tour. Guides participating in other events accrue $10 per hour for the time put in for that event.

Fellowships and scholarships are awarded at the end of the year and recognized at the annual Entomology Awards Ceremony in April. Please note there is no application necessary for this award since it is based upon time spent working in the Bug House from the previous year.

For more information, please reach out to Dr. Amanda Lorenz (lorenzam@msu.edu).

Entomology Research and Outreach Fellowship

The Entomology Research and Outreach Fellowship (EROF) is a fellowship is for undergraduate students with limited research opportunities to work with world-class researchers at MSU.

The goal of this program is to provide paid research and community outreach experience to students with limited access to research opportunities. Through personalized mentorship and career development opportunities, we hope to build your interest and resume to pursue a career in STEM, and give valuable experience that benefits any career path. Students from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Contact guessent@msu.edu for details.

Department of Entomology Undergraduate Award

This award is given to an undergraduate student in Entomology for outstanding achievement in their overall undergraduate program.

Eligibility requirements:

  • MSU student majored in Entomology major.
  • Be of senior status (88+ credits) up to one semester post-graduation.
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Past Undergraduate Award Winners:

  • 2020 Connor Sturr
  • 2019 Anne Johnson
  • 2018 Lidia Komondy
  • 2017 no recipient
  • 2016 Katherine Demeuse and Beauchamp Thomas

Scriber Scholar Award

This award was established by Mark and Kathleen Scriber to foster continued research and/or public science education outreach in butterfly biology and conservation. Awards will normally be effective for summer or fall semester following selection.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Awardees must be enrolled the semester in which they receive the award.
  • Undergraduates must be majored in entomology with a focus on research and public science education outreach in butterfly biology and conservation.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA.

Required application materials:

Hutson Memorial Research Fund

The Ray and Bernice Hutson Memorial Endowment Fund supports research, extension or outreach projects by MSU Entomology undergraduate and graduate students.

Only one undergraduate award (in the amount of $1000) is given each year. Students applying for this fund are required to write a detailed proposal outlining their project. More information can be found here.

Eligibility requirements:

  • MSU student majored in Entomology.

Required application materials:

Hutson Memorial Travel Fund

This fund supports travel by MSU Entomology undergraduate and graduate students to professional academic meetings such as the Entomological Society of America annual conference.

Students may make one request per academic year for domestic travel. Travel awards can be requested at any time during the academic year.

Eligibility requirements:

  • MSU Entomology undergraduate or graduate student.
  • Must be in good academic standing.
  • One request per academic year for domestic travel.
  • One request during degree program for international travel.

Required application materials:

  • Letter to chairperson at least 30 days in advance of the travel, including the name of the professional meeting, location, total cost and benefit of attending.