Overview
The Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society (MAPMS) is currently accepting applications for the Robert L. Johnson Memorial graduate student research grant. Each year MAPMS will consider applications for a graduate student grant of up to $10,000. Funds are collected through donations, sponsorships and various activities at the annual conference.
The research grants will be competitively awarded to qualified graduate students pursuing a degree in aquatic plant management or related field at any accredited university or college, or independent research which contributes to the mission of the Society. MAPMS will consider all applications pertaining to research dealing with aquatic plant management, including ecology or biology of aquatic plants, and chemical, mechanical, or biological control of aquatic weeds. Winners will be announced at the annual conference each year, and all recipients are required to present their research findings at the annual conference the following year.
General Instruction Guidelines for Applicants
1. The main body of the proposal should not exceed five (5) pages and should include the following sections
a. Purpose and Justification for the Project
b. Objectives (and/or questions and Hypotheses)
c. Methods or Approach
d. Timeline
e. Budget
f. Plans for Publication of Results
2. Applicant should include resumés of the faculty applicant and graduate student (if known) and should not exceed two
(2) pages each.
3. The Principal Investigator may include copies of up to five (5) of their most recent peer reviewed publications if they wish, but are not required. The grant proposal will be judged based on the following criteria:
a. Quality and feasibility of the scientific approach
b. Applicability to management of aquatic plants and algae in the Midwest Region
c. Likelihood of publication
d. Potential of applicants to continue in aquatic plant management activities or involvement in the future of the Society.
For more information, please contact:
Pete Filpansick
Student Affairs Committee Chair
students@mapms.org
Recent Recipients
2025
There were two applications for the 2025 Robert L. Johnson Memorial Research Grant and we are honored to share this year’s grant equally with:
- Corrina Vuillequez, University of Florida, Dr. Benjamin Sperry, Evaluation of novel herbicide application techniques for control of Crested Floating Heart
- Anna Agi, North Carolina State University, Dr. Rob Richardson, Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus L.): Effect of mechanical harvesting on turion production and potential nutrient release at senescence
Each winner will receive $5,000 to help fund their research. Please join us in congratulating Corrina and Anna, both of whom will be invited to present at the 2026 conference in Indianapolis; we hope you will attend to learn more from their research findings.
2024
- $10,000 Maxwell Gebhart, Mississippi State University, The biology, ecology and management of several invasive Vallisneria species.
2023
- $10,000 Zhaozhe Chen, The Ohio State University
2022
- $6,000 Sydney Van Frost, University of Wisconsin (pictured)
- $4,000 Lacey Rzodkiewicz, University of Pittsburgh
2020
- $7,500, Hannah Hoff, Montana State University
- $2,500, Natalie Moses, Minnesota State University-Mankato
2019
- $7,500, Jeff Pashnick, Montana State University
- $2,500, Jens Beets, North Carolina State University
2018
- $7,500, Greg Chorak, Montana State University
- $2,500, Dalton Sink, MS Student at University of Michigan-Flint
2017
- Ryan Van Goethem, MS Student at Michigan Technological University
