The Wetzel Memorial Fund was created in 2004 through a request from Robert G. Wetzel, for paying SIL related expenses of young limnologists throughout the world that might otherwise be unable to participate in SIL activities. In particular, the Wetzel Memorial Fund will be used for travel support of those SIL members who are presenting a paper (orally or by poster) at a SIL congress.

For the 2026 joint-congress between the Association of the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) and the International Society of Limnology (SIL) in Montreal,travel awards from the Wetzel Memorial Fund will be of up to US$1,000, based on the financial needs demonstrated by the applicant.

Candidates must comply with the following criteria:
Have been a SIL member in the year prior to the congress (in this case, prior to May 12, 2025). Becoming a SIL member now will not qualify you.
Present a paper either orally or by poster in-person at the congress.
Previous award recipients are not eligible to apply again.
Applications should respect the recommended answer lengths, include a summary of the applicant’s career so far, including any publications, an abstract of the proposed presentation, a complete travel budget that includes an account of how the awardee will raise the rest of the sum needed and where SIL will contribute, and a short justification for asking for an award. Two letters of recommendation should accompany the application.

Due to some international travel restrictions and regulations, SIL advises all travelers to familiarize themselves with travel requirements for the host country (Canada) as well as any layover countries, begin the visa application process early (if necessary), and strongly recommends travel insurance. Travel awards will not be given for travel that has been canceled.

The award recipient must submit a brief report within 1 month after the congress, on experiences gained from participating in the SIL congress. Those reports, or parts of them may be published in SILNews and/or posted on the SIL Website and social media, so photographs included will be welcome.

Recipients will be chosen from acceptable entries by the SIL Student Awards Committee.

Submit applications via the following link by December 2, 2025.
Letters of recommendation should be sent to siloffice@limnology.org by December 2, 2025.
Email the SIL business office at: business@limnology.org for questions.

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* 1. Surname (Family name, according to passport)

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* 2. First name

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* 3. Gender

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* 5. Nationality

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* 6. Country of residence, if different from nationality

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* 7. SIL Member ID (7-digit)

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* 8. Have you attended a SIL Congress before?

University Education, including current degree in progress, if applicable (omit primary schooling):

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* 9. University Education – Institution 1

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* 10. University Education – Institution 2

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* 11. University Education – Institution 3

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* 12. Title of present position (employment)

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* 13. Since (Month/Year)

Date

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* 14. Institution at which this position is held (name and address) :

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* 15. Describe your responsibilities in your present job, if you are employed, or your graduate student responsibilities (40 words or less):

Indicate your knowledge of international languages

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* 16. Enter the name of the language you are rating (e.g., English, French, etc.)

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* 17. Rate your proficiency for the following language.

  Moderate Good Excellent
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* 18. Enter the name of the language you are rating (e.g., English, French, etc.)

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* 19. Rate your proficiency for the following language.

  Moderate Good Excellent
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* 20. Enter the name of the language you are rating (e.g., English, French, etc.)

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* 21. Rate your proficiency for the following language.

  Moderate Good Excellent
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Write

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* 22. Describe your previous education, training, and research in limnology or related fields. Explain your skills and experience including any publications (100 words):

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* 23. Describe topics of interest to you in limnology (100 words).

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* 24. How will you use the money provided by the Wetzel Memorial Fund (100 words)? Describe how this award will contribute to travel costs and if other funding sources will be necessary.

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* 25. Provide a budget description of your travels, detailing complementary funding sources, when applicable :

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* 26. Provide a budget description of your travels, detailing complementary funding sources, when applicable :

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* 27. Provide a budget description of your travels, detailing complementary funding sources, when applicable :

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* 28. Provide a budget description of your travels, detailing complementary funding sources, when applicable :

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* 29. Short justification for asking for an award:

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* 30. I understand that if I receive the Wetzel Award, I must submit a short report within one month after the congress detailing my experiences at the congress, with the the help of photos, when possible.

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* 31. Signature

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* 32. Date

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Support questions shall be directed to business@limnology.org. Application deadline for the Wetzel Travel Award is December 2, 2025.
Give the names, titles, and addresses of two individuals who will be sending letters of reference to SIL on your behalf. Referees are required to send letters directly to siloffice@limnology.org by December 2, 2025.

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* 33. Referee 1 – Please provide the following details of your reference:

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* 34. Referee 2 – Please provide the following details of your reference:

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