BSA Emerging Leader Award

About this program

The Botanical Society of America’s Emerging Leader Award is an annual prize recognizing creative, influential scholarship and leadership across all areas of botany; recipients are honored at the BSA annual meeting, invited to give a special lecture at the next meeting, receive $2,000 toward conference expenses, a five‑year BSA membership, and an invitation to submit a special paper to the American Journal of Botany. Candidates should demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and strong promise in basic research, education, public policy, professional service, or a combination of these contributions to the botanical community. Applicants must be BSA members and be within eight years of earning a Ph.D. (excluding approved parental or other leave) at the time of the award. Nominations are closed for 2026; check back in early 2027 for the next nomination period.