Gus Poesch Research Funding at The Ohio State University
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The Gus Poesch Research Fund 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 for funding of their research projects. The deadline for Proposal Applications is August 1 of each year. Applications must be fully completed to be considered.
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 the recruitment of high-quality floriculture graduate students to The Ohio State University.
- Funding of floriculture graduate student research at The Ohio State University.
- Funding of floriculture graduate student travel to present research papers as a representative of The Ohio State University. *Proposals for student travel requests must not exceed $1,500 and must include copy of abstract being presented.
- Funding of start-up costs for research, teaching, and extension of young floriculture faculty members of The Ohio State University.
- Funding of educational travel (domestic and international) of young floriculture faculty at The Ohio State University.
- New: Funding of floriculture research projects provided that qualified funding requests for graduate student recruitment, travel, and research (as outlined in 1-5 above) have been considered.
Application Guidelines:
- The application must be completed in its entirety using the provided form, including a description (up to 3 pages) and a letter of endorsement acknowledging compliance with university policies.
- A realistic timetable, budget, and scientific approach must be provided. Inclusion of preliminary data is desired.
- Literature review must be brief but include relevant research conducted either domestically or internationally.
- Applications do not require an intellectual property agreement. However, all researchers must be aware of and conform to their organizational property rights agreements.
- Applications not conforming to these guidelines will not be reviewed.
- AFE policies do not allow for payment of overhead or indirect costs.
Application and Review timeline:
- Application materials must be submitted electronically by August 1. All applicants will be acknowledged immediately. The review and status of the peer review will be communicated by November 1.
- Projects selected for final funding will be notified in January of the following year. Funding
begins on July 1 and will be provided in two payments, one in July/August and one the
following January.
If funded, researchers agrees to:
- Present a final research report at the conclusion of the project (within 60 days of the completion of the project).
- Provide acknowledgment of funding by the American Floral Endowment in all publications and presentations.
- Submit an annual project progress report annually (for multi-year projects).
- Publish not only in professional journals and other scientific publications but also in industry publications, including AFE newsletters and trade magazines.
- Present findings via webinar to the industry.
Multiple-Year and Team Projects
To accomplish the research goals of the project, the Endowment funds one to three-year projects. In addition, projects with either a single researcher or multiple researchers at the same or different institutions are considered. When two or more researchers are included, a “team leader” must be designated to coordinate the implementation and reporting of the project. Grants will be paid to each team member and/or institution separately as requested. For multi-year projects, an annual progress report and request or continued funding will need to be submitted by June 1 of years 2 and 3.
Industry Relevant Research
Research funded by the American Floral Endowment should be relevant to current and
future industry needs, and results should provide information that has commercial applications directly to the industry – growers, wholesalers, retailers, and transportation. Publication of trade magazine articles, AFE newsletter articles, and scientific publications will be requested as part of funded projects. Researchers may be asked to participate in webinars and to provide presentations for the flower industry. Prior to submitting the proposal, AFE requests that the application contains the name and contact information of two industry representatives who support the proposed research.
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.