USA Scholarships
Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship 2027 - $4,500
The Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship in Conservation Horticulture supports graduate research that protects rare and endangered native plants in the United States. The Garden Club of America and the Center for Plant Conservation jointly fund one annual grant of up to $4,500, treated as compensation for work that advances CPC missions and your degree. Catherine H. Beattie, GCA president from 1981 to 1983, inspired the award honoring wildflower preservation. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents actively enrolled at U.S. institutions, the fellowship prefers students studying specific rare U.S. species, especially endangered flora of the Carolinas and Southeast. You submit a single PDF with cover letter, two-page project narrative, one-page budget and timeline, CV, and advisor recommendation to CPC by January 31 preceding your study period. GCA allows only one GCA scholarship, fellowship, or award application per year.
What is the Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship?
If your graduate work chases a plant most people have never heard of, this fellowship was built for you. The Garden Club of America pairs with the Center for Plant Conservation to move $4,500 toward research that keeps rare native species from slipping off the map. Catherine H. Beattie led GCA during the early 1980s and cared deeply about wildflowers; the award still carries that horticulture-meets-conservation spirit.
The money is modest compared with a full NSF stipend, but the fit is narrow on purpose. Reviewers want a species, a habitat, and a plan that serves CPC''s network of botanical institutions. Students working on Carolina or Southeast endemics sit in the sweet spot, though other U.S. rare plants win when the narrative is tight. Citizens and permanent residents enrolled here in the U.S. may apply; international students are out because of GCA tax rules, a frustrating but fixed constraint.
Paperwork is old-school email, not a portal. One PDF, cover letter, two-page narrative, budget, CV, advisor letter, in that order, to CPC by January 31. Remember the one-GCA-application-per-year rule if you were also eyeing a GCA summer scholarship. Notification historically lands around mid-March, which gives you time to line up summer field seasons or greenhouse space. Read gcamerica.org and saveplants.org together so filenames and subject lines match the current cycle, then tell a conservation story that sounds like you will still care about the species after the grant ends.
Eligibility
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✓Graduate enrollment in a related fieldYou must be a graduate student in biology, botany, ecology, horticulture, or a closely related discipline conducting research on rare or endangered U.S. flora.
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✓U.S. citizenship or permanent residencyEligibility is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents actively enrolled at a U.S.-based institution. GCA cannot fund international applicants because of IRS rules.
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✓Research focus on native U.S. plantsProjects should center on conservation of rare or endangered plant species native to the United States. Preference goes to targeted species work rather than generic lab studies.
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✓Southeastern and Carolina priorityCPC and GCA give special consideration to endangered flora of the Carolinas and southeastern United States, though other U.S. rare plants remain eligible.
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✓Botanical garden or CPC-aligned workThe grant compensates research regarded as work at a botanical garden or work that jointly serves CPC conservation programs and your curricular requirements.
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✓Only one GCA award application per yearGCA policy allows you to apply for only one GCA scholarship, fellowship, or award in the same annual cycle.
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✓Complete PDF application to CPCMaterials must follow CPC formatting and arrive by the January 31 deadline at the email address posted on saveplants.org.
Benefits
- Research grant Up to $4,500
- Rare plant conservation focus Required
- Botanical garden collaboration Encouraged
- Tuition and fees Not a full graduate stipend
- International fieldwork outside U.S. Not the program focus
- Multiple awards per applicant One grant per cycle
Document checklist
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✓One-page cover letter (~400 words)Introduce yourself, your institution, and why your rare-plant project fits the Beattie Fellowship mission.
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✓Two-page project narrativeDescribe proposed research, methods, and conservation impact. The two-page limit excludes citations.
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✓One-page budget and timelineShow how up to $4,500 will be spent and when field, garden, or lab work will occur.
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✓Curriculum vitaeInclude education, publications, presentations, relevant field experience, and plant conservation background.
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✓Advisor recommendation letterYour major professor or equivalent mentor should attest to project feasibility and your readiness for rare-plant research.
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✓Single combined PDFCompile items in CPC order and name the file using the Beattie Fellowship naming formula posted for the application year (LastName_FirstInitial).
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship?
It is a Garden Club of America fellowship administered with the Center for Plant Conservation for graduate students researching rare and endangered U.S. plants. The honor recognizes Catherine H. Beattie, a GCA leader and wildflower advocate.
How much does the Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship pay?
CPC and GCA provide one grant of up to $4,500 per year. The money supports research compensation tied to botanical conservation work, not a full graduate stipend.
When is the Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship 2027 deadline?
Applications are due January 31 preceding the study period. For work in 2027, plan on January 31, 2027 unless CPC posts different instructions on saveplants.org.
Who is eligible for the Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship?
U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled in U.S. graduate programs in biology, horticulture, ecology, botany, or related fields who study rare native plants. International students cannot receive GCA funding under current IRS restrictions.
Does the Beattie Fellowship prefer southeastern plants?
Yes. Official language gives preference to endangered flora of the Carolinas and southeastern United States, though other U.S. rare species remain eligible if the conservation case is strong.
How do I apply for the Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship?
Compile cover letter, two-page narrative, budget, CV, and advisor letter into one PDF and email it to CPC using instructions at saveplants.org/about-us/fellowships. GCA's Beattie page links to the same guidelines.
Can I apply for another GCA scholarship and the Beattie Fellowship?
No. GCA allows only one scholarship, fellowship, or award application per student per year across its programs.
Where does Beattie Fellowship selection happen?
The Center for Plant Conservation science advisory process selects fellows, with approval from the GCA Scholarship Committee. Questions can go to [email protected] or CPC contacts listed on saveplants.org.
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