Lesley Argiri and Brian McDonald 5K Scholarship Fund

• Provide financial assistance to deserving students who demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing the field of marine biology, particularly in marine mammal conservation, with a focus on manatees.
• Foster innovation and excellence in marine biology research, especially in areas related to the protection and preservation of marine mammal species, including manatees.
• Encourage active contribution to marine conservation and sustainable development and management, with an emphasis on manatee conservation and habitat preservation.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled or accepted into a graduate program in Marine Biology, Aquatic Biology, or a related field at an accredited institution.
• Demonstrate dedication to marine biology through academic coursework, research experience, or extracurricular involvement.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Hold U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency (funds are not available for overseas institutions).

The scholarship award is $5,000 per academic year, disbursed in a single payment at the start of the academic year.
Recipients may reapply for the scholarship in subsequent years, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Recipients will be selected based on the following:

• Academic achievement and potential in the field of marine biology.
• The quality of research proposals or projects related to marine biology.
• Demonstrated commitment to marine conservation and sustainability.
• Letters of recommendation from academic advisors or professionals in the field.
• Any additional criteria deemed relevant by the scholarship committee.

• Applicants must submit a completed scholarship application form, including personal information, academic records, a research proposal or statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.
• The application deadline for the following academic year is 11:59 PM on Manatee Appreciation Day (the last Wednesday in March). For 2025, this falls on March 26th. Late submissions will not be considered

• Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout their academic program to be eligible for future scholarship funds.
• Annual progress reports on academic and research achievements are required.

• The scholarship committee will evaluate applications and select recipients based on the established criteria.
• Annual reports detailing the impact of the scholarship, including recipients' achievements and contributions to marine biology, will be shared with scholarship fund donors and Save the Manatee Club’s board of directors.

Save the Manatee Club will oversee the administration and management of the scholarship fund, ensuring compliance with its policies and procedures.

This scholarship policy may be amended as necessary, with any changes subject to approval by the Save the Manatee Club board of directors.

• Privacy and Data Protection: Save the Manatee Club will collect, process, and use the personal information provided in this application solely for the purposes of scholarship review and communication. The applicant's data will be handled in accordance with Save the Manatee Club's Privacy Policy.
• Non-Discrimination Statement: Save the Manatee Club does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law in any of its programs or activities, including scholarship awards.
• Eligibility Confirmation: By submitting the application, applicants confirm that they meet all eligibility requirements for the Lesley Argiri and Brian McDonald 5K Scholarship Fund.
• Legal Agreement: Applicants confirm that the information provided is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge. Scholarship decisions are final, and applicants agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the scholarship.
• Tax Liability Disclaimer: Scholarship recipients are responsible for any taxes associated with the award. Please consult a tax advisor for further information.
• Right to Revoke: Save the Manatee Club reserves the right to revoke the scholarship if eligibility requirements are no longer met.

• Digital Submission Options: Applications should be submitted electronically through the designated online portal or by email. Applicants will receive an email confirmation once their application has been successfully submitted. If no confirmation is received within 24 hours, applicants should contact scholarships@savethemanatee.org.
• Renewal Information: Returning applicants may reapply for the scholarship in subsequent years. They are required to submit updated academic transcripts and a progress report detailing their academic and research achievements during the previous scholarship year.
• Impact Reporting: Scholarship recipients will be required to submit an end-of-year impact report outlining how the scholarship supported their academic and research activities. This report may be shared with donors and featured in Save the Manatee Club's communications.
• Selection Timeline: Applicants will be notified of the selection results by May 15, 2025. Scholarship recipients will receive further instructions on how to claim their award.
• Scholarship Deferral: In exceptional cases, recipients may request to defer their scholarship for up to one academic year. Deferral requests must be submitted in writing and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Scholarship Funding: Scholarships will be funded either through the academic institution (preferred) or directly to the individual, based on the accredited institution's policies to ensure the full amount goes to the recipient.
• Contact Information: For questions regarding the scholarship application process, please contact scholarships@savethemanatee.org.
• Terms of Renewal Funding: Renewal of scholarship funding is contingent upon continued academic success and availability of funds. Applicants must reapply each year to be considered for renewal. Save the Manatee Club reserves the right to adjust future awards based on funding capacity.