The Royal Heins International Floriculture Research Scholarship will be awarded annually to a U.S. citizen enrolled in a Ph.D. program in floriculture or controlled environment research at a U.S. or Canadian institution. Engineering and Al application to floriculture/greenhouse/controlled environment production will also be considered. To ensure students are able to take advantage of this new opportunity in its first year, the inaugural deadline is May 1st, 2026. Beginning in 2027, the deadline will align with other AFE graduate opportunities on February 1st. Students must secure a host advisor at an institution outside the U.S. or Canada, reinforcing the Fund’s emphasis on global scientific collaboration.

Each award is expected to range from $30,000 to $35,000 and is designed to remove financial barriers that often limit international research experiences. Rather than being awarded directly to the student, funds are distributed to the student’s university with oversight from the major professor. The scholarship covers replacement costs for the student’s graduate assistantship during the semester abroad, a housing allowance at the international location, and a round-trip economy flight. This structure ensures continuity for both students and faculty while supporting meaningful off-campus research. For 2026-2027, the housing allowance to assist the student with housing for the international housing will be $6,000. The student is expected to use the assistantship funds from their home institution or other funds to fund living and transportation expenses at the international institution.

Please note: In exceptional cases, a domestic placement at a distinct U.S. laboratory offering unique training unavailable at the home institution and unavailable at an international institution may be considered.

Application Requirements and Information

Submit your online application below. Be sure you have your CV/Resume, Dates of Study, letters from your host and advisor, budget/cost document, and photo of yourself ready to upload. Student will also be asked to provide a one-page summary of research and activities to be conducted and how it benefits the students’ professional development and the floriculture industry overall. Student will also be asked to provide a description of your anticipated future professional/career goals in floriculture.

Student Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen currently enrolled in a recognized floriculture or controlled environmental Ph.D. research program at a U.S. or Canadian university/institution. 
• Ideally, the applicant would have a defined research plan at the international institution that complements their current dissertation work. Preference will be given to students conducting research in some way associated with floriculture crops or crop production. Engineering and Al application to floriculture/greenhouse/controlled environment production will also be considered. If the student is past the research phase of their graduate studies, a proposal will be considered where the student shows the professional growth expected during the international experience prior to their graduation.
• Must have a confirmed host advisor at an institution outside the U.S. or Canada.
  • Note: In exceptional cases, a domestic placement at a distinct US laboratory offering unique training unavailable at the home institution and unavailable at an international institution may be considered.

Application Requirements

• CV/Resume – This should include listing of educational background and professional activities that provide background information to evaluate student achievement and potential.
• Dates of Study – The student must specify the dates of travel which may start up to one year after the award is announced.
  • Note: The effective start date of the scholarship depends on the applicant’s entry pathway. Students who earned their MS at their PhD study institution may begin the scholarship experience as early as immediately upon matriculation into the PhD program. Students entering from outside the institution or without a prior MS degree become eligible to begin the scholarship experience after the completion of two academic semesters.
• Budget/Cost Sheet – Please prepare a document outlining your projected costs and budget for your semester abroad. The breakdown of estimated costs should include stipend replacement, housing at the international location, and costs for your round-trip economy flight.
• Advisor Letter – This letter from your current major professor/advisor should confirm the dates and purpose of your study, acknowledge that this program has been approved by your university, and confirm they will supervise your studies during this semester. Please note: This advisor will be contacted via email by AFE after you submit your application to provide their final approval. Their emailed approval will be needed to complete your application.
• Host Letter– This should be a letter of invitation from your host/faculty member abroad agreeing to mentor the applicant for the planned semester and confirming the dates of study.
• Photo – Please submit a color photo of yourself to use for publicity purposes.

Post-Award Requirement – Recipients are required to submit a written summary report (or a blog) to AFE and a popular press article (e.g., for GrowerTalks or AFE newsletters) describing their experience and research outcomes upon their return. The report and the article must be delivered to the AFE office within 30 days of international experience completion.

Applicant Agreement:

1. By submitting this online application, the applicant certifies that the information provided on the application is accurate and complete, and understands that any misstatement, falsification, or omission of information shall be grounds for rejection of the application.
2. The applicant is not currently in default on loans for academic study.
3. The applicant has not been convicted of a felony.
4. The applicant agrees to acknowledge and promote the Royal Heins International Floriculture Research Scholarship in presentations and submissions of research reports to professional and trade publications when applicable.
5. The applicant agrees, if awarded, to submit a summary report to AFE and a popular press article (i.e. GrowerTalks or AFE newsletter) describing their experience and research outcomes upon their return.
6. The applicant understands that if awarded, the funds will be disbursed directly to the university to provide funding for the student to study abroad. The grant is intended to be distributed only for this program and may not be used to cover the costs of any overhead expenses at the university.
7. The applicant understands that they must have a confirmed host advisor at an institution outside the U.S. or Canada to apply for this scholarship. Ideally, the applicant would have defined research plans that complement their current work.