The Catherine H. Beattie Fellowship, a collaboration between The Garden Club of America (GCA) and the Center for Plant Conservation (CPC), supports graduate students conducting research on the conservation of rare and endangered plants in the United States. Preference is given to projects focusing on the endangered flora of the Carolinas and southeastern United States. Established in 1983 in honor of Catherine H. Beattie, a former president and board member of the GCA, the fellowship furthers efforts to protect the nation’s botanical diversity.

The fellowship provides an annual research grant of up to $4,500, intended as compensation for work undertaken at a botanical garden that aligns with the missions of the CPC and the student’s academic studies. The award is open to graduate students in biology, botany, ecology, horticulture, or related fields, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled at U.S.-based institutions. Projects must involve specific rare plant species native to the U.S., with emphasis on those from the Carolinas and southeastern regions.

Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application, compiled as a single PDF, including a cover letter (maximum 400 words), a two-page project narrative (excluding citations), a one-page budget and timeline, a curriculum vitae, and a letter of recommendation from a major advisor or equivalent. The file should follow the naming convention: “2025_Beattie_Fellowship_Application_LastName_FirstInitial.pdf” and be emailed to info@saveplants.org with “2025 Beattie Fellowship Application” in the subject line.

The deadline for applications is January 31, 2025, with recipients being notified by mid-March. Selection is managed by a committee appointed by the CPC and approved by the GCA Scholarship Committee. The fellowship offers graduate students a unique opportunity to contribute to plant conservation efforts while advancing their academic and professional development in botanical research.