With the common goals of recognizing achievement and innovation in plant breeding and shining a spotlight on the contributions made by plant breeders in Canada, the second annual Canadian Plant Breeding Innovation (CPBI) Awards are now soliciting nominations and applicants.
The CPBI Awards are an opportunity to recognize plant breeders at various stages in their careers. It is broken down into the following components:
- CPBI Innovation Scholarships (formerly Seed of the Year scholarship) — Two winners from the East and two from the West recognizing up-and-coming young plant breeders. This year, students at McGill University are eligible to apply in addition to the University of Guelph, University of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan and University of Alberta.
- Seed of the Year — Honouring the accomplishments of seed breeders from across Canada and their chosen variety, with the intention of bolstering knowledge of the importance of breeding programs in Canada. The winner is selected by Germination’s editorial board.
- Canadian Plant Breeding and Genetics Award — Presented annually to a public or private sector researcher who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of Canadian plant agriculture through research in plant breeding and genetics.
“Awarding innovation among both veteran and up-and-coming scientists is an important way to recognize the accomplishments of our nation’s plant breeders,” says Germination editor Marc Zienkiewicz.
The scholarship portion of the program enjoys the support of a number of great sponsors who want to directly contribute to ensuring the brightest young minds are able to further their educations in the field (no pun intended) of plant breeding.
The Canadian Plant Breeding and Genetics Award is sponsored by the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) and Germination and is presented to a public or private sector researcher who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of Canadian plant agriculture through research in plant breeding and genetics. Individuals are nominated by their peers and are selected by the CSTA board of directors.
How to Apply
Scholarship applicants at the University of Guelph, McGill University, University of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan and University of Alberta plant breeding programs can get an application from their respective university and visit germination.ca/innovation-scholarship/ for more details.
Application deadline is Oct. 31, 2020.
Seed of the Year criteria and applications can be downloaded at germination.ca/apply-now-for-the-seed-of-the-year-award. Application deadline is Oct. 31, 2020.
Information on the Canadian Plant Breeding & Genetics Award is available at germination.ca/pbg-award.
