Graduate Awards & Fellowships | Department of Biology

These are departmental awards only.

You must be a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow in Biology to be eligible for any awards or fellowships. Postdoctoral awards are in the Winter awards cycle.

*Neuroscience graduate students are eligible for the Robin M. Harris Award.

Questions? Contact Joyce Antonio, joyceca@uw.edu

Winter 2026 Applications

Winter applications open 9:00am, Wednesday, January 7th, 2026

Deadline for Winter applications is 4:00pm, Friday, January 30th, 2026

Awards must be used within one year of Winter Quarter 2026.

FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS:

FOR POSTDOCS:
The Mary Race Bevis Award and IUVO Award will be available in Winter 2026.

Helpful references:

Example copy of past review rubrics

FOR FACULTY:

The faculty recommendation submission form for GRADUATE STUDENTS for Winter 2026
The faculty recommendation submission form for POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS for Winter 2026

Winter 2026 Research and Conference Awards

Amalia & Craig Magaret Award

Award amount: up to $900

Description: The endowment funding this award was established by UW faculty member Dr. Amalia Magaret and her husband Craig Magaret, a UW Biology alumnus. This award fosters creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking and will be given to a student who demonstrates the broad impact of their innovative work.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate student conducting research in any biological field can use this award toward costs associated with their research and education, including the purchase of supplies, travel, conference fees and registration.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

Friday Harbor Labs Award

Award amount: up to $6,000

Description: The endowments supporting the FHL Award were established in 2005 by Ms. Dorothy Mills and her daughter, Dr. Claudia Mills, Profs. Katherine Graubard and William Calvin, Drs. Alan and Marian Kohn, and Prof. Dennis Willows and Dr. Susan Mahoney.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students conducting research at Friday Harbor Labs.

Award type: Research award

Heerensperger Award

Award amount: up to $6,000

Description: The purpose of the Heerensperger Award is to support molecular and cellular biology research in the Department of Biology. The gift for this award was originally donated to the Hope Heart Institute, a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1957 by the late Dr. Lester Sauvage, to support research and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Over the years, The Hope Heart Institute transitioned from supporting clinical research to funding prevention science research and delivering evidence based community education to equip Washington state residents to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease. The gift was transferred to the University of Washington, a long time research partner, to carry on the important work. The endowment supporting this award honors the original donors, David and Jill Heerensperger, who made the gift in 1996.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students conducting research in molecular and cellular biology. Award expenditures can include but are not limited to travel expenses, research supplies, other research associated costs.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

Hoag Award

Award amount: up to $15,000

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established by Jim and Annemarie Hoag. Their support of Biology began in 2004 when Jim heard about the corpse flower blooming in the greenhouse. Since then, the Hoags have expanded their support for Biology and biology education, now investing in graduate student research.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students conducting research in any biological discipline. Award expenditures can include but are not limited to travel expenses, research supplies, other research associated costs.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

Iuvo Award

Award amount: up to $2,000 each, for graduates and postdocs

Description: Iuvo (yoo-woe) is a Latin verb meaning "to help". The endowments supporting this award were established in 2006 by Wai Pang Chang, 2007 by Prof. Toby and Ms. Moira Bradshaw, and 2014 by Prof. Tom Daniel and Jane Baird. They hope to provide broad-based direct financial support to students because "if someone needs help it shouldn't be limited to what they do."

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students and postdoctoral researchers conducting research in any biological discipline.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

Jim and Nancy Kenagy Award

Award amount: up to $3,500

Description: To provide financial assistance to graduate students seeking a Ph.D. in the Department of Biology. Specifically, this award aims to support students studying natural history, ecology, evolution, or systematics of natural populations of organisms in the field. Furthermore, the purpose of this award is to encourage graduate students who possess scientific curiosity about nature, enthusiasm for field research, and a career goal to become an academic scientist. The endowment supporting this fund was generously established by Jim and Nancy Kenagy. Jim Kenagy is an emeritus professor of Biology and curator of mammals at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. His research spans ecology, physiology, behavior, and evolutionary biology, and he has taught natural history of mammals, environmental physiology, vertebrate zoology, and biogeography.

Eligibility: Biology Graduate students studying natural history, ecology, evolution, or systematics of natural populations of organisms in the field. Selection shall be based on academic merit and the intended purpose, with preference given to students whose individual experiences will bring diversity to the scholarly activities of the Department of Biology.

Award type: Research award

John S. Edwards Award

Award amount: up to $2,500

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established in 2008 by the late Prof. John S. Edwards, known as a Renaissance Man. He was a great naturalist and adventurer, known around the world as one of the pioneers of insect developmental neurobiology and a leading scholar in their ecology and evolution. He was also deeply knowledgeable about early American landscape painting, early European music, and was a skilled mountaineer. This award provides support for costs of graduate research.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students conducting research in the field of environmental biology, including but not limited to ecology and physiology.

Award type: Research award

Kruckeberg-Walker Award

Award amount: up to $5,500

Description: This award is made possible through contributions from two former Botany faculty: Prof. Arthur R. Kruckeberg and Prof. Richard B. Walker. From a young age, Art immersed himself in local flora and ornamental plants for gardens in his hometown of Los Angeles. Dick's experiences growing up as the son of a county farm advisor and school teacher in western Illinois inspired him to pursue a career in botany. Both were generous with their time and expertise, serving as departmental Chairs passionate about teaching, mentoring, and spreading their love for plant biology.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students conducting research in plant physiology, ecology, and/or evolution. The award may be used for research or travel for educational purposes related to the aforementioned disciplines.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

Lawrence Giles Award (Botanical Field Research Award)

Award amount: up to $9,000

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established in 1990 by Dr. Lawrence Giles, an alumnus of the former Botany Department, and Ms. Elizabeth Guy. The award supports general research costs for plant biology.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students conducting research using a plant system, including botany, ecology, population biology, and systematics, in which field work is a significant part of the research.

Award type: Research award

Margo & Tom Wyckoff Award

Award amount: up to $10,000

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established by Margo and Tom Wyckoff. Both have collected many accolades throughout their impressive professional careers. Margo earned a BA in history from UW, in addition to an MSW and PhD in Psychology. Tom received a BA in Art and Archeology from Princeton and completed his MD here at UW. They are delighted to fund a graduate award in the Life Sciences, feeling that the research conducted under the auspices of the excellent faculty will extend the benefits of scientific inquiry and discovery well beyond our PNW region.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

Mary R. Bevis Postdoctoral Researcher Award

Award amount: up to $2,000

Description: This award is supported by the Bradshaw Family Endowment and named in honor of Toby's mother, Mary Race Bevis, who made a significant contribution to the fund in order to support Department of Biology postdoctoral researchers. They play a vital role in the Department and at the University and the purpose of this award is to provide postdocs with funds for intellectual and professional development.

Eligibility: Department of Biology postdoctoral researchers conducting research in any biological discipline. The award may be used for research or travel for educational purposes.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

Orians Award

Award amount: up to $800

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established by Professor Emeritus Gordon Orians, a longtime UW Biology faculty member. Dr. Orians greatly enjoyed his time spent in the field and hopes to provide the opportunity to future generations of graduate students.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students conducting research in any biological discipline. Award expenditures shall be spent on field work expenses such as travel, supplies, and equipment

Award type: Research award

Orians Award for Tropical Studies

Award amount: up to $2,000

Eligibility: To provide financial support for graduate students with a focus in tropical biology, biological research on tropical organisms, and tropical ecosystems.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

Richard C. Snyder Award

Award amount: up to $2,000

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established in 1990 by the late Zoology Prof. Richard C. Snyder whose principal professional interests are comparative anatomy, vertebrate natural history and ecology, funtional morphology (esp. animal locomotion), herpetology and ornithology. He is honored for his many and sustained contributions to the teaching program in the Department, in large part due to his classes in functional morphology and in the natural history of vertebrates. Dick not only played an important role in elevating the regard for Biology's undergraduate program, but also served as the chief mentor to a number of distinguished graduate students.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students working with vertebrates. The award may be used to support research and travel costs.

Award type: Research award

Riddiford-Truman Award

Award amount: up to $12,000

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established in 2007 in honor of Biology Profs. Emeriti Lynn Riddiford and James Truman, to support graduate research. They both spent many years as Zoology and then Biology Faculty at the University of Washington and have international reputations for their groundbreaking work on insect neuroendocrine control and neuronal remodeling during insect metamorphosis.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students conducting research in the field of physiology.

Award type: Research award

Robin M. Harris Award

Award amount: up to $8,000

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established in 2012 by Profs. Jim Truman and Lynn Riddiford in memory of Dr. Robin Mariko Harris. Robin’s family, friends and colleagues also contributed substantially to the fund in honor of her brilliance and passion for insects and science. Award expenditures can include but are not limited to travel expenses, research supplies, other research associated costs.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students and the Graduate Program in Neurobiology and Behavior graduate students conducting research in the field of insect studies, including but not limited to the ecology, physiology, and development of insects.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

W.T. Edmondson Award

Award amount: up to $9,000

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established in 2006 in honor of former Prof. W.T. Edmondson and his wife Yvette. Prof. Edmondson, through his passion and love for Lake Washington, played a critical role in creating and passing a bill enabling the creation of a metropolitan government "Metro" that eventually lifted the notorious "Lake Stinko" nickname from our now, clean and clear lake. This award provides support to graduate students who demonstrate the use of ecological thinking to make changes in issues of great relevance to our collective benefit, including research costs for supplies and research travel.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduates conducting research in biological limnology, including freshwater and saline lakes and estuarine and intertidal zones, the plants and animals that live in them, and their physical properties.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding

Walker Family Award

Award amount: up to $8,000

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established by the Walker family - Maggie, Doug, and Kina. The Walker family has had a long history of service and philanthropy at the University of Washington, having served on numerous advisory boards and provided invaluable expertise to the university. Through the Walker Family Award, they hope to support graduate students in their pursuit of knowledge.

Award type: Research award

Walter & Margaret Sargent Award

Award amount: up to $6,000

Description: This award supports student travel for non-conference reasons: field work, special courses, and collaborations with other universities and international associates. Award is based on need for travel to conduct research or any other valid educational purposes. The endowment supporting this award was established in 2002 by Walter and Margaret Sargent, former members of the Botany department.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students in any discipline.

Award type: Research award

Wingfield-Ramenofsky Award

Award amount: up to $1,200

Description: The endowment supporting this award was established in 2005 by Biology Profs. Emeriti John Wingfield and Marilyn Ramenofsky who are passionate about innovation in environmental biology and related fields. This fund was established to allow young investigators the opportunity to develop new ideas so that they can obtain preliminary data for grant proposals to Federal and other funding agencies.

Eligibility: Department of Biology graduate students conducting research in the field of environmental biology, broadly defined, with travel expenses or other costs not covered by grants.

Award type: Research award/Conference funding