Back to top

Awards & Programs

SFS Fellows

Deadline: November 15 of each year

The Fellows of the Society of Freshwater Science are selected based on sustained excellence in contributions to freshwater science research, policy, or management. These are the leaders, at national and international levels, of their areas of freshwater science.

Read more


Career Awards

Deadline: November 15 of each year

We welcome nominations for the Award of Excellence, Distinguished Service Award, Environmental Stewardship Award, and Hynes Award for New Investigators at any time. All nominations received before March 15 of each year will be considered for the subsequent year. Nominations should include (1) a nominating letter and (2) one or more letters of support compiled into a single document.

Read more


Endowment Awards 

Deadline: 17 February

The Endowment Awards recognize excellence among our student members and are designed to support student research in a variety of areas. These awards are based on research merit and approximately 16 awards from the endowment will be granted plus 10 awards for undergraduate travel.

Read more


Graduate Student Conservation Research Award

Deadline: 31 January 

The annual Graduate Student Conservation Research Award (GSCRA) provides support to the graduate student that submits the best proposal addressing endangered or threatened species or ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation planning, or supporting or implementing conservation or restoration of an endangered species or ecosystem.

Read more


Student Presentation Awards

Each year, SFS offers 8 merit awards for student presentations at the annual meeting. Students are judged by professional biologists on research goals and design, data organization and dissemination, and presentation style. Awards include cash or book certificates and registration costs for a future SFS meeting. 

Students are automatically entered when they submit their abstract.

Read more


Instars & Instars Mentoring Programs

Deadlines: 

  • 1 February 2020 - Instars Fellows Application for Funding
  • 22 February 2020 - Instars Graduate Student Mentors
  • 1 April 2020 - Instars Fellows Application without Funding

Instars is a mentoring program sponsored by the Society for Freshwater Science for undergraduate students from under-represented groups interested in freshwater science. Participation in the program can include funding to attend the annual meeting. Instar participants are mentored by graduate student mentors that receive a modest stipend for participating. 

Read more about Instars

Become a mentor