$5K Scholarships Open for Future Flower Scientists

Students passionate about flowers and plants now have a chance to turn their green thumbs into groundbreaking careers.

The American Floral Endowment just opened applications for two merit-based scholarships designed to support future flower scientists and educators. The Altman Family Scholarship and Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship each offer $5,000 to graduate students pursuing degrees in horticulture and related fields like plant pathology, entomology, and agricultural engineering.

The best part? Students only need to submit one application to be considered for both awards. The deadline is February 1, 2026.

The Altman Family Scholarship comes from Ken and Deena Altman, owners of Altman Plants, who created the award to help students chase their horticulture dreams. Their support has already changed lives for recipients like Manjot Sidhu, who called the 2024 award "such an honor" that added tremendous value to her career.

The Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship honors a floriculture industry leader who believed innovative researchers would shape the field's future. This award goes even further, providing $5,000 for two consecutive years to one student at a land-grant university, totaling $10,000.

Past recipients have experienced research opportunities they never thought possible. Savannah Mead, a 2023 Altman Family Scholar, said the award allowed her to "experience milestones in research that I never have before."

The Ripple Effect

These scholarships do more than fund education. They're investing in the future of an entire industry that brings beauty and joy to millions of homes. Every award winner becomes part of a network developing better growing techniques, discovering disease-resistant plants, and making flowers more accessible to everyone.

The research these students conduct today could mean healthier gardens, more sustainable farming practices, and new flower varieties brightening windowsills for decades to come.

Applications require a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, a photo, and a video. Students currently completing bachelor's or master's degrees who plan to pursue full-time M.S. or Ph.D. programs are eligible.

The future of flower science is blooming brighter, one scholarship at a time.