Sinnott Award
Sinnott Award supports botanical scholars’ research and travel using the Arnold Arboretum’s living collection to advance original research, foster partnerships, and demonstrate the collection’s scientific value.
This grant was recently updated
The Sinnott Award application window changed from November 5–February 1 to November 15–January 25; recommendation letters are now due by the application deadline. Applicants now submit one application for multiple Arboretum awards, designate a primary award, and tailor their research statement to that award’s requirements.
Funder: Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Due Dates: November 15, 2026 (Applications open) | January 25, 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $7,000 for research and/or travel expenses
Summary: Supports original botanical research using the Arnold Arboretum’s living collection and fosters scholarly exchanges and partnerships.
Key Information: Research must use the Arboretum’s living collection; preference is given to applicants spending part of their research in residence.
Description
The Sinnott Award, administered by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, supports scholars in the botanical sciences conducting original research with the Arboretum’s living collection. Comprising approximately 15,000 plants, the collection is among the world’s most thoroughly documented collections of temperate woody plants. Researchers may also draw on the Arboretum’s herbarium, library and archives, and laboratories.
The award supports research and travel expenses for visiting scholars, with applications particularly sought from early-career individuals. Its goals are to advance original research, foster collegial exchanges and partnerships, and demonstrate the scientific value of the Arboretum’s collections.
