Washington, D.C.– The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, an independent federal agency, is offering eight awards of as much as $50,000 to applicants who demonstrate innovation in agricultural science. Applications for the award are due March 15.

The awards break down as follows:

• Two $25,000 Distinguished Agriscience Scientist Awards will be presented to adult scientists who are making or have recently made significant and positive contributions in the field of agriscience. In addition, $25,000 will be presented to each scientist recipient to be used to hire a graduate student/researcher to assist with a specific research project or to be used toward the project itself.
• Three $10,000 Agriscience Educator Awards will be presented to current secondary school educators, with at least five years of teaching experience, who emphasize concepts, principles and applications in their curriculum to promote the study of agriscience to students.
• Three $5,000 Agriscience Student Awards will be presented to current secondary school students who are making or have recently made a significant and positive contribution related to the field of agriscience.

The Foundation is also offering awards in life sciences and homeland security research. More information will be available about those awards shortly.

“Agricultural development is a big part of Southern Arizona’s economy and culture, and this is a terrific chance to recognize the great work being done in our community,” said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva of the awards. “I encourage students and teachers to apply, and I hope these awards ultimately help our farmers improve their quality of life.”

For more information and a full overview of nominating rules, visit http://www.agriscienceawards.com/home.php or call the Fellowship Foundation at (315) 258-0090.