The Charles Student Research 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.

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.

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.

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.

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)