APPLICATIONS DUE 1 JUNE

1 Scholarship will be awarded

Program Overview

Established in 2023 to honor Coach Vince Dooley of the University of Georgia, this scholarship celebrates the power of lifelong learning and the unexpected paths that lead to horticulture. After an extraordinary career in athletics and leadership, Coach Dooley discovered a deep passion for plants later in life. His interest was sparked through coursework with renowned horticulturists Dr. Michael Dirr and Dr. Allan Armitage, whose teaching ignited his curiosity and appreciation for plant science and garden design.

This all-inclusive annual scholarship honors Coach Dooley’s legacy by supporting students within the International Plant Production Society community. The award provides access to education, networking, and professional opportunities, inspiring recipients to pursue horticulture with curiosity, humility, and passion, values Coach Dooley embodied throughout his life.

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Program Eligibility

• Juniors or Seniors enrolled in agricultural science or horticulture programs at 2- or 4-year colleges and universities.
• Graduate students enrolled in horticulture or related field  

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Award Details

• Full registration for the IPPS conference 
• Travel expenses (actual flight costs or mileage reimbursement) 
• $250 spending money 
• Awardee will share a room with other scholarship winners 

Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Results will be provided to potential awardees at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Click below for more information and to access the application.

Application Deadline: June 1

APPLICATIONS DUE 1 JUNE

5 Scholarships will be awarded

Program Overview

The Margie Jenkins IPPS Conference Scholarship Award supports first-time attendees of the International Plant Production Society Southern Region of North America (IPPS-SRNA) Annual Meeting. The award covers full conference registration, including educational sessions, tours, and the awards banquet. Travel and lodging expenses are not included.

This scholarship honors the legacy of Ms. Margie Jenkins, a longtime IPPS-SRNA member who entered the nursery industry later in life and became a respected leader, mentor, and plant advocate across the Gulf States. Under her leadership, Jenkins Farm and Nursery flourished, and she earned widespread recognition for her horticultural expertise, educational outreach, and commitment to mentoring emerging professionals. Margie Jenkins exemplified the IPPS mission of Seeking and Sharing and remains an enduring inspiration to the green industry.

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Program Eligibility

• Must be employed or self-employed in the nursery/green industry.
• Award will be presented to an individual who has never attended an IPPS-SRNA conference.
• Preference is for awardees to be local from the region where the annual meeting takes place.

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Award Details

• Full registration to the IPPS Southern Region Annual Meeting
• Travel and Hotel NOT included

Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Results will be provided to potential awardees at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Click below for more information and to access the application.

Application Deadline: June 1

APPLICATIONS DUE 1 JUNE

4 Scholarships will be awarded

Program Overview

The Vivian Munday Early Horticulture Professional Scholarship was created to provide financial assistance to new horticulture professionals and students interested in attending the IPPS Southern Region Annual Meeting. An early horticulture professional is defined as an individual with fewer than five years of work experience in the horticultural field.

This scholarship honors the legacy of Vivian Munday, a respected leader, mentor, and lifelong advocate for education within the horticulture industry. Vivian was deeply committed to supporting students and young professionals, believing that access to professional networks, continuing education, and hands-on learning opportunities were essential for long-term success in the field. Her dedication to mentoring others and fostering meaningful connections within the industry left a lasting impact on the IPPS community.

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Program Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Horticulture students enrolled in a 2- or 4-year program.
• Early horticulture industry professionals with less than five years of work experience.
• Graduate students enrolled in a horticulture or related field.

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Award Details

• Full registration for the IPPS Southern Region Annual Meeting.
• Travel expenses (actual ECONOMY flight cost or mileage reimbursement).
• Awardee will share a room with other scholarship winners.

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Work Requirements
In exchange for financial assistance, scholarship recipients will complete various hands-on work assignments during the event. These tasks will assist the local site chairperson in ensuring that the educational program and tours run smoothly. Assignments will be scheduled to allow recipients to attend most meeting events. Upon arrival at the annual meeting, recipients will report to the local site chairperson for their assignments.

Examples of work assignments include:

• Assisting with the plant auction
• Staffing the registration desk
• Helping the audio/visual technician during educational sessions

Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Results will be provided to potential awardees at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Click below for more information and to access the application.

Application Deadline: June 1

TITLES DUE 15 AUGUST

PAPERS DUE 1 SEEPTEMBER

About: “The Charles Student Research Competition” has been named in honor of Dr. Charles Gilliam, former Professor of Horticulture at Auburn University, and Mr. Charlie Parkerson, originator of the student competition. 

Celebrating Excellence in Research: This competition provides students with a unique opportunity to showcase their research while connecting with some of the most respected nursery and green industry professionals in the Southern United States. The IPPS Southern Region offers four annual awards to recognize outstanding original research focused on horticultural crop production in the southern USA.

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Eligibility and Presentation Opportunities: Graduate and undergraduate students from universities, junior colleges, community colleges, and four-year institutions are eligible to participate. Selected students will present their research through oral or poster presentations during the meeting. Previous participants have shared their research on a wide range of horticulture production topics, including macro and micropropagation, rooting hormones, new substrates, herbicide runoff, weed and insect control, flowering, plant nutrition, water relations, and much more.

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Important Dates:

• Research paper titles due: August 15
• Full papers due: September 1

Each year, four students will be selected for oral presentations and four for poster presentations, offering them the chance to engage with leading experts and gain valuable feedback on their work.

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Awards:

• First place: $1000
• Second place: $500
• Third place: $250
• Fourth place: $200

These awards are designed to recognize and reward the top student paper presenters at the event. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to not only showcase their research but also to engage with some of the leading growers in the Southeast, expanding their professional network.

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Additional Benefits:

• The 4 selected oral presenters and up to 4 selected poster presenters will each receive a $500 travel grant to support their participation.
• The first 7 students (4 oral presenters + 3 poster presenters) will have their student registration fees waived, making it even easier to take part in this exciting event.

We encourage students to take full advantage of this opportunity to present their work, gain valuable feedback, and further their academic and professional growth within the horticultural community.

Click below to submit your title (DUE 15 AUGUST) and paper (DUE 1 SEPTEMBER)

Additional Information: For detailed submission requirements, please refer to the cover letter and guideline document for the Student Research Competition.

APPLICATIONS DUE 1 JUNE

1 Scholarship will be awarded

2026 European Region Exchange

Program Overview

The IPPS Southern Region Early Career International Exchange Program was established in 2013 and supports emerging horticulture professionals by providing financial assistance and professional development opportunities through participation in an IPPS European Region Meeting, followed by reciprocal engagement with the IPPS Southern Region.

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Program Eligibility

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be 35 years of age or younger, or
• Be new to the horticulture industry

Additional Eligibility

• Must be a current IPPS Southern Region member
• Must hold a valid U.S. passport at the time of travel
• All travel arrangements are the responsibility of the selected Delegate (not IPPS Southern Region)

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Award Details

• The selected participant will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship to cover travel expenses and incidentals. 
• Conference costs will be covered by the European Region. 
• The Exchange Representative will attend the European Region Annual Meeting, present a 20-minute talk, and submit a paper for the European Region IPPS proceedings based on their plant production experience.
• The following year, the participant will present another 20-minute talk and submit a paper at the Southern Region Annual Meeting, sharing their experience as the Exchange Delegate.
• Exact travel dates will be established by European Region Host and Scholarship Awardee.

Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Results will be provided to potential awardees at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Click below for more information and to access the application.

Application Deadline: June 1

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2027 North American Exchange Program

APPLICATIONS DUE 1 JUNE 2027

1 Scholarship will be awarded

Program Overview

Established in 2025, the IPPS Southern Region Early Career North American Exchange Program supports emerging horticulture professionals by providing financial assistance and professional development opportunities through participation in an IPPS Eastern or Western Region Annual Meeting, followed by reciprocal engagement with the IPPS Southern Region.

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Program Eligibility

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be 35 years of age or younger, or
• Be new to the horticulture industry

Additional eligibility requirements:

• Must be a current IPPS Southern Region member.
• Must hold a valid U.S. passport at the time of travel for meetings held outside the US.
• All travel arrangements are the responsibility of the selected Delegate (not IPPS Southern Region).

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Award Details

• $2,000 travel stipend to support airfare and lodging
• Conference registration fees covered by the hosting IPPS region
• Delegate will attend either the Eastern or Western Region Annual Conference

Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Results will be provided to potential awardees at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Click below for more information and to access the application.

Application Deadline: June 1