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Christopher Columbus Foundation-U.S. Chamber of Commerce Life Sciences Awards |
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CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS FELLOWSHIP FOUNDATION Mission Statement The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation is an independent Federal government agency established by Congress to "encourage and support research, study and labor designed to produce new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind." Governed by a Presidential appointed Board of Trustees, the Foundation seeks to nurture and recognize individuals and programs which reflect the visionary spirit and pioneering heritage of Christopher Columbus. History In 1992 Americans celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Americas, and the United States Congress joined in the commemoration by passing Public Law 102-281, the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coins and Fellowship Foundation. The initial funding for the Foundation was derived from the sale of three denominations of specially minted coins sold by the United States Mint from August 1992-June 1993. The Foundation received the coin sales surcharges, which constituted the Foundation's endowment, thus establishing a living legacy of explorer Christopher Columbus. Purpose In order to support a broad spectrum of creative thinking and individual and group innovation, the Foundation has established the Frontiers of Discovery--Work in Progress and Discover the Future programs. Frontiers of Discovery--Work in Progress Homeland Security Awards Through the Work in Progress program, the Foundation and AgustaWestland North America present the 2010 Homeland Security Awards which are designed to encourage and promote "cutting edge" innovations in the homeland security area and provide incentive for continuing the research. Frontiers of Discovery--Discover the Future Life Sciences Awards For the third year, the Foundation will partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to present seven Life Sciences Awards. The recipient of each award must be making or has recently made a significant and positive contribution in the field of life sciences as indicated by each award. The $25,000 Chairmen's Distinguished Life Sciences Award is presented to a scientist for the development of a "cutting edge" innovation in the field of life sciences. In addition, up to $25,000 in research funds will be presented. Three $10,000 Life Sciences Educator Awards will be presented to current secondary school educators, with at least five years of teaching experience, who are promoting the study of life sciences to students. Three $5,000 Student Awards will be presented to current secondary school students who are making significant and positive contributions related to the study of biology, chemistry or other life sciences courses.Agriscience Awards In 2010 the Foundation, in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, will present the First Annual Agriscience Awards. Eight awards will be presented to those working in the field of agriscience. Two $25,000 Distinguished Agriscience Scientist Awards will be presented to scientists for the development of "cutting edge" innovations in the field of agriscience. In addition, each scientist will received up to $25,000 in research funds to be used to hire graduate students or to be used directly on a specific research project. Three $10,000 Agriscience Educator Awards will be presented to current secondary school educators, with at least five years of teaching experience, who are promoting the study of agriscience to students. Three $5,000 Agriscience Student Awards will be presented to current secondary school students who are making significant and positive contributions related to the study of agriscience. Christopher Columbus Awards In the Future program the Foundation supports competitions designed for middle school students. The Foundation sponsors the Christopher Columbus Awards, which challenge teams of middle school students in grades six to eight, to explore and discover opportunities for positive change in their communities using the scientific method. This program taps the potential of middle school students, teaches them how to be creative problem solvers and shows them how to make a difference in their community. Finalist teams win an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World®, vie for U.S. Savings Bonds, and one team wins the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant which is seed money to take back to their community to make their idea a reality. Please visit: www.christophercolumbusawards.com. |
Please contact the Foundation for more detailed information on each program at: (315) 258-0090 or email Judi Shellenberger, Executive Director at: judithmscolumbus@cs.com.