Press releases

RHS helps to fund USA exchange scholarship for horticulturists of the future

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the UK’s leading gardening charity, is pleased to announce that it is to part fund and administer the Martin McLaren Horticultural Scholarship. The scholarship is a student exchange between the Martin McLaren Memorial Trust in the UK and the Garden Club of America (GCA). It will be an exciting addition to the RHS portfolio of bursaries and funding schemes to support the next generation of horticulturists.

The scholarship enables a British graduate to attend the first year of an American University's Master's programme, in fields related to horticulture, botany, landscape architecture and environmental sciences, as the GCA's 'Interchange Fellow' (1). As well as gaining academic experience, the students attend GCA meetings and occasionally present talks on their work, the United Kingdom, British gardens, or other topics of interest. The value of the award is up to a total of US $30,000 (2).

In addition, an American student spends a year working and studying at leading horticultural centres in the UK and a work programme is set up which is tailored to suit their particular interests and requirements.

“The Martin McLaren Horticultural Scholarship is a great scheme for the RHS to be involved with, as the horticultural industry in the States is an exciting environment for British students to learn in,” said Marjorie Noel, RHS Scholarship Administrator. “The Society has been offering awards and bursaries for many years and they are an important part of the RHS’s charitable remit.”

The exchange programme isopen to British graduates with a degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Botany or Environmental Studies. Final year students expecting to graduate in the summer may also apply. Applicants should be no more than 27 years of age at the time of application. The closing date for the 2007/08 scholarship is November 2006. To find out more email mclarenscholarship@rhs.org.uk, or telephone 01483 224324, or write to: Martin McLaren Scholarship Administrator, School of Horticulture, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB.

Notes to Editors

For more information contact Leah Colthorpe in the RHS Press Office on 020 7821 3046 or email leahcolthorpe@rhs.org.uk

(1) A list of the universities from which the Fellow can choose will be available at interview and advice will be given to a successful candidate on selecting the place of study. It is not usually possible to gain an American Master's degree in one year and additional funds will need to be procured from elsewhere in order to complete the course (Candidates should not apply expecting to gain more than one year's academic experience in the US through this scholarship.)

(2) The figure covers return travel to the USA, a pre-departure allowance to cover incidental expenses, tuition, accommodation and a personal allowance for the academic year. Any additional funds for personal expenses exceeding the amount of the award have to be supplied by the candidate.

The Martin McLaren Horticultural Scholarship

The memorial scholarship was re-named after Martin McLaren in 1984,having been originally established in 1948 as a way of fostering the good relationship between the US and the UK after the second world war.

Martin McLaren was great nephew of Gertrude Jekyll and grandson of the first Lord and Lady Aberconway

The Martin McLaren Memorial Trust UK

RHS Council Member Sir Kenneth Carlisle is the Chairman of the memorial trust, and Nancy McLaren widow of Martin is the Vice Chairman.

For more information about RHS bursaries please visit www.rhs.org.uk/learning/education/bursaries.asp

www.rhs.org.uk/pressoffice

The RHS is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. RHS work includes providing expert advice and information, advancing horticulture, training the next generation of gardeners, helping school children learn about plants, and conducting research into plants, pests and environmental issues affecting gardeners.

An interest in gardening is all you need to enjoy being a member of the RHS. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk or call 0845 130 4646.

Founded in 1804, the Royal Horticultural Society is Britain's largest gardening charity and is committed to being the leading organisation demonstrating excellence in horticulture and promoting gardening. Renowned for its outstanding gardens and inspirational flower shows, the RHS is a key source of advice and information for all gardeners. It encourages gardening through its publications, trials, lectures, education programmes and scientific research and is home to the Lindley Library, which contains the most comprehensive collection of horticultural books in the world.

Membership of the Royal Horticultural Society offers many exclusive benefits including a monthly copy of The Garden magazine; free entrance to RHS Gardens Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex and Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire; free access to a further 88 beautiful gardens across Britain and 20 gardens in Belgium and France; access to seeds collected at RHS gardens; free gardening advice and privileged tickets to 18 RHS flower shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.

For further enquiries about membership of the RHS contact: Membership Department, Royal Horticultural Society, PO Box 313, London SW1P 2PE; 0845 130 4646 Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm or via the RHS website

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