Spring 2023 Thamodoran Family Innovation in Agriculture Student Award

Thanks to the generosity of Dhamu Thamodaran (AG Econ ’83, Ph.D.) and Kanchana Thamodaran, the Office for Academic Innovation in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is pleased to announce the Thamodoran Family Innovation in Agriculture Student Award in the amount of $3,000. This award is intended to support undergraduate or graduate students working on an innovative scientific, technological, or business idea related to a grand challenge in agriculture (e.g., climate change mitigation, food security). Funds may be used to support scientific research, technology development, or the development of a scientific, technological, or business proof of concept.

Recipient Criteria:

  1. Must be enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
  2. Must be in good academic standing with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
  3. Interest and capability in pursuing innovative solutions to grand challenges in agriculture.

Term of Award: All awards shall be for one year and may not be renewed.

Eligibility: This award shall be made available to students of any class.

Award Amount: $3,000.

Completed applications must include:

  1. A cover letter explaining:
    1. Specific project or proposal related to an innovative scientific, technological, or business idea; the specific agricultural problem it is intended to address; and how it relates to a grand challenge in agriculture.
    2. Planned use of the funds (research or project expenses, tuition, travel, etc.)
    3. What financial support the student is already receiving.
    4. Career plans
  2.  A letter of support from the faculty member or staff person who will mentor the student on this work.
  3. Upon completion of the project, a 1-2 page report will be submitted to Dean Bain that explains how the funds were used and what was accomplished.

Email application to: Dr. Carmen Bain, Associate Dean for Academic Innovation, 20A Curtiss Hall, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University. cbain@iastate.edu

Deadline: 5 p.m., Monday, March 6, 2023. A decision will be communicated to all applicants by Friday, March 31, 2023.