Link Foundation Supports Students at Smithsonian Marine Station

Laura Diederick, Education Specialist

The Smithsonian Marine Station (SMS) has a long history of supporting the academic pursuits of students at all levels of education. One of the most successful programs is the Graduate Fellowship program, supported by a grant from the Link Foundation. This year marks the 12th cycle of students to be awarded research opportunities through the program.

The association between the Smithsonian and the Link Foundation extends back to not long after the Foundation was established in 1953 by Edwin and Marion Link. Mr. Link was a skilled aviator and recognized as a mechanical genius. He is best known for his invention of the first Flight Simulator in 1929 and later shifted his interest to ocean engineering and marine science. The Link Foundation aims to support individuals and institutions with research goals and interests that align with those of the founders.

The Link Fellowship at SMS is a competitive program that supports the research efforts of three to four graduate-level students each year. These students are provided with work space at the station, full access to all the Station�s resources, as well as the guidance and expertise of their appointed advisor.

Several Link Fellows have gone on to complete doctoral degrees and have returned to SMS as postdoctoral fellows. Others maintain a relationship by continuing to collaborate with SMS researchers or by bringing students of their own.

The staff of SMS looks forward to continuing to provide research opportunities to students through on-going support from the Link Foundation. Graduate students interested in the program should visit www.sms.si.edu/link.htm for information on application requirements. The deadline for the 2010 cycle is February 15, 2010.