Dr. Jack and Annagreta Hojhdal Van Lopik Graduate Student Scholarship

Purpose
Dr. Jack Van Lopik, the first and longest serving Director of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program at LSU, and his wife Annagreta Hojhdal Van Lopik, established the Dr. Jack and Annagreta Hojhdal Van Lopik Superior Graduate Student Scholarship (Van Lopik Scholarship) to assist graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in disciplines related to the mission and focus areas of the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program as detailed in the Strategic Plan of the organization. The intent is to support the Sea Grant mission of furthering the wise and sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources by increasing the number of researchers and the body of knowledge in related fields including but not limited to biology, ecology, geology, fisheries, environmental science, coastal resiliency and design, natural resources economics, environmental education and disaster preparedness, extension and resiliency.

To fulfill the purpose of the Van Lopik Scholarship, the funds generated by the endowment will be used to support the work of qualified graduate students pursuing professional degrees at Louisiana State University (LSU) in appropriate fields with emphasis on recruiting, retaining, and graduating such students. Depending on the availability of accrued investment funds, a minimum of three students will be awarded $10,000 for one year, which will be in the form of a scholarship to cover stipend, conference travel, field travel, field experiences, etc. Funding will be awarded in two lump sums. One at the beginning of the scholarship and one upon completion of the final report.

Applications: Applicants from departments at LSU that conduct research and extension in Sea Grant focus area-related topics will be selected by the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program for the Van Lopik Scholarship using a review process. The review process will focus on academic achievement and experience with academic excellence as the top consideration..

Eligibility: Students enrolled as a full-time graduate student at LSU in good academic standing and meet the minimum performance expectations of their curriculum.
Student recipients who do not remain enrolled or fully employed are no longer eligible to receive the award and will forfeit any remaining balances in their award. The scholarships shall have a predetermined termination date of one year. However, the scholarship will terminate upon graduation from the degree program.
In addition to the Van Lopik Scholarship, fund recipients may receive support from one or more other sources, including fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships.
Recipients may reapply for consecutive years; however, will be reviewed as a new applicant.

Application Process: Applicants will be solicited by an annual request for proposals that will be evaluated by a panel of experts in the appropriate fields. Unsuccessful applications may be resubmitted in the next annual round of competition and will not be treated with prejudice or advantage.

Applications will be submitted by the student who will contain the following information:
A. Project Title:
B. Faculty Mentor:
C. Degree Program:
D. Duration: (assumed one year unless graduation is sooner)
E. Project Summary: (not to exceed 200 words)
F. Project Narrative: (not to exceed two pages)

1. Focus Areas of Sea Grant that the proposed research will address and how.
   
2. Description of research that would be conducted.
   
3. Statement of how the Van Lopik Scholarship funds will support the student’s work and the need for the funding (how the funds will be used).

I. Profile of the Applicant to include (i.e., two-page resume):

1. Related Work Experience, Awards, Honors, Recognition.
   
2. Publications, Presentations, Patents, etc.
   
3. Current Financial Support (fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, work, etc.): funding amounts and commitments for funding during the duration of the proposed period of performance.
   
4. Career goals and professional plans post-graduation.

J. Two letters of support: one must be the faculty mentor.

Performance
Grant recipients will be required to perform the following tasks:
1. Submit Reports: Provide an annual report to LSG and a copy of their thesis or dissertation (template will be provided).
2. Attend LASG Events: Participate in opportunities with LSG, including:

• A welcome meeting at the beginning of the fellowship.
• Participate in LSG-sponsored professional development activities at least once during the duration of funding as Van Lopik scholarship recipient.
• Attend one quarterly LASG Marine Extension Program meeting.
• Participate in an exit interview at the conclusion of the scholarship.

For questions about the program or application, please contact Matt Bethel at mbethe3@lsu.edu
To learn more about Jack Van Lopik, visit www.laseagrant.org/2015/in-memory-jack-van-lopik/