Gus Poesch Travel Grant Application
Application Guidelines
The Fondo de Investigación Gus Poesch was established in honor of a true innovator and stimulator of research, and an influential educator and respected businessman, Gus Poesch. It is due to Gus’ activity with young people that the G. H. “Gus” Poesch Research Fund was established at The Ohio State University. Approximately $40,000 is awarded annually for recruitment, research, teaching, graduate student travel grants, or floriculture projects at The Ohio State University.
AFE invites Faculty and Floricultural students at The Ohio State University to electronically submit research proposals and/or requests for Travel Grants to allow for student presentations of research papers or young floriculture faculty travel. Use this application form ONLY to request Travel Funding. A separate application form for research funding is available. The deadline is August 1 of each year.
The below objectives are in concert with Gus’ life-long assistance of young people in the field of floriculture. Projects meeting the objectives will be considered for funding.
- Funding of floriculture graduate student travel to present research papers as a representative of The Ohio State University. *Travel grant requests must not exceed $1,500 and must include copy of abstract being presented.
- Funding of educational travel (domestic and international) of young floriculture faculty at The Ohio State University.
Application Information and Review Timeline:
- Application for Graduate Student Travel Grants must be submitted and signed by a Faculty
member of the student. Student’s are not permitted to submit application. - Application must be submitted electronically in a single PDF file by August 1 to
afe@endowment.org. All applicants will be acknowledged immediately. Funding approval will
be made before September 1 of each year. - Application for Young Faculty Travel Grants must be submitted and signed by the Faculty
member requesting the funding. - Travel Grant Funds will be made payable to The Ohio State University to the specific
department specified in the application for further distribution to cover travel related
expenses for the student.
If funded, student agrees to:
- Submit a written article/report following the trip with photos that will be used in AFE’s newsletter and other communications.
- Provide acknowledgment of funding by the American Floral Endowment in all publications and presentations.
- Join and participate in AFE’s Young Professionals Council (YPC) activities.
About Gus Poesch
Gus Poesch was born in Lockwood, Mo., and moved with his parents to Monroe, Mich. When he was 10, he began working in the greenhouse of Otto Krbn. His college education began at Michigan State College (University), where he was a charter member of the Delta Chapter of Pi Alpha Xi, the national floriculture/landscape horticulture scholastic honorary fraternity, along with Alex
Laurie and Kenneth Post. After graduating in 1930, Gus and Alex Laurie went to The Ohio State University where he earned an M.S. degree and subsequently, was a faculty member. During his 11 years at Ohio State, Gus and Prof. Laurie established the photoperiodic (light/dark) responses of chrysanthemums so that this crop could be flowered year-round.
In 1941, Gus joined the Fred C. Gloeckner and Co., Inc. His accomplishments and recognitions during nearly a half-century with the Gloeckner organization are too numerous to list. It is sufficient to note that Gus was a member of the President’s Club at the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University and The Ohio State University. He was active for many years in Alpha Gamma
Rho, a national agriculture fraternity. He traveled throughout Asia, North America, Europe, and South America visiting floriculture establishments and was recognized by The Ohio State University and Michigan State University as a distinguished alumnus. Lastly, he served on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Florists’ Association and was the first president of the Ohio State Floriculture/Landscape Horticulture Alumni Association. Although Gus maintained an enormously busy schedule, he always found time to encourage, support, and guide young people, whether they were interested in industry or education. The list of young people he influenced is endless.