Some of the most meaningful opportunities in research come from stepping outside what's familiar — new environments, new collaborators, new ways of thinking. A new Named Fund through AFE is designed to make those experiences possible for Ph.D. students in floriculture. Established in January 2026, the Royal Heins International Floriculture Research Scholarship Fund supports semester-long international research experiences that help Ph.D. students grow both scientifically and professionally.
"I chose to work with AFE because it has a long-standing, trusted track record of supporting scholarships and research that advance the floriculture industry," stated Dr. Heins.
Designed for impact and experience
Created through a generous commitment from Dr. Royal Heins, Professor Emeritus at Michigan State University and longtime industry researcher, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a U.S. student enrolled in a Ph.D. program in floriculture or controlled environment research at a U.S. or Canadian institution. Engineering and AI application to floriculture/greenhouse/controlled environment production will also be considered. Additionally, if the student is past the research phase of their graduate studies, a proposal will be considered where the student shows the professional growth expected during the international experience prior to their graduation. To ensure students are able to take advantage of this opportunity in its first year, the inaugural deadline is May 1st. Beginning in 2027, the deadline will align with other AFE post-graduate opportunity deadlines of February 1st.
This scholarship complements the student's dissertation work by providing access to research opportunities, facilities, or expertise not available at their home university. Students must secure a host advisor at an institution outside the U.S. or Canada, reinforcing the Fund's emphasis on global scientific collaboration.
Removing barriers to international research
The annual scholarship awarded through this new fund ranges from $30,000 to $35,000 and is designed to remove financial barriers that often limit international research experiences. Rather than being awarded directly to a student, funds are distributed to the student's university with oversight from the major professor. The scholarship covers replacement costs for the student's graduate assistantship during the semester abroad, a housing allowance at the international location, and travel expenses. This structure ensures continuity for both students and faculty while supporting meaningful off-campus research.
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A career rooted in applied science
The scholarship reflects Dr. Heins' long-standing belief in applied research, mentorship, and learning through experience. "My academic mentor, Dr. Harold F. Wilkins, believed deeply in the value of a global perspective. During the first week of my graduate studies in 1975, he departed on an around-the-world trip that included taking the Trans-Siberian Railway during the height of the Cold War. His example was eye-opening. He later invested in my professional growth by sending me to Europe to meet with international scientists — an experience that shaped my career," reflected Dr. Heins.
Throughout his career in academia and industry, he emphasized pairing strong scientific foundations with real-world applications. Colleagues and industry leaders frequently note his influence on modern greenhouse production practices and on the many students he mentored.
"As a horticulture faculty member at Michigan State University, I strove to provide that same opportunity by sending my Ph.D. students to work in foreign laboratories for a semester. They invariably returned with a deeper appreciation of other cultures and new knowledge that enriched their research. Recognizing that not all faculty have the resources to fund these exchanges, I established this scholarship to help send American Ph.D. students abroad, ensuring they gain that vital cultural and scientific exposure," continued Dr. Heins.
A forward looking legacy
After joining the faculty at Michigan State University in 1978, Dr. Heins spent decades teaching crop production and greenhouse environmental physiology while mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. His research on annual, flowering potted plants, and herbaceous perennial flowering physiology, plant development temperature responses, and decision-support systems, such as graphical tracking that helped establish practices now widely used in commercial greenhouse production. Over his academic career, he advised sixteen graduate students and authored or co-authored hundreds of scientific and industry articles, always emphasizing clarity, practicality, and application. You can read more about his achievements here.
One of those students was Dr. Erik Runkle, who followed in his footsteps and is now a professor at MSU. With the support of Dr. Heins, "I spent one semester at the University of Reading in the UK during the first year of my Ph.D. program, and it was an exceptionally rewarding experience both personally and professionally. I gained valuable insight into how researchers in a different academic setting interact and design experiments, while also immersing myself in UK culture," said Dr. Runkle.
© American Floral Endowment
"The experience allowed me to build professional relationships, some of which continue to this day. It was also highly productive: I completed an experiment later published in a well-respected journal while advancing manuscripts from my M.S. research. I remain deeply grateful for this opportunity and strongly encourage students to apply."
That same philosophy is embedded in the design of the Royal Heins International Floriculture Research Scholarship Fund. By supporting semester-long research experiences outside a student's home institution, this opportunity encourages young scientists to gain new technical skills, work within different research cultures, and view their work in a broader global context — experiences Dr. Heins has long viewed as essential to professional growth. His career has centered on preparing people to think critically, adapt, and lead. This scholarship extends that legacy, investing not only in individual students but in the future strength and relevance of floriculture research."AFE's mission aligns closely with what I want this scholarship to accomplish: developing the next generation of scientific leaders. AFE brings the governance, credibility, and industry connections needed to administer a scholarship thoughtfully and ensure the investment has lasting impact," noted Dr. Heins. Through the Royal Heins International Floriculture Research Scholarship Fund, AFE continues to expand its investment in our future researchers.
To learn more about this scholarship and apply, click here.
American Floral Endowment
Tel.: +1 (703) 838-5211
[email protected]
www.endowment.org
