Sponsored by the Garden Club of America, the Douglas Dockery Thomas Fellowship in Garden History and Design was established in 2000 by Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer J. Thomas, Jr. and is awarded annually to an exceptional graduate student to assist with study and research at a leading American institution. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (also called permanent resident aliens). This fellowship reflects and promotes the GCA's interest in supporting garden history and design, and examining the future of gardens and their unique place in our environment. Today, with growing constraints on all open space, the art of the garden increases in importance. Professionals have expressed the need to focus on American garden history and design, and have expressed dismay at the lack of funding help for talented students. Project study should have wide scope, such as investigating new techniques of garden restoration; studying how small gardens created by community groups have impacted public gardens; exploring and documenting physical, emotional and spiritual healing properties of the garden; and instigating the development of gardens that use ecological and regenerative concepts, to name but a few possibilities. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation; one must be a letter of endorsement from the applicant's faculty advisor that also certifies enrollment. Applicants must also submit a written proposal, which must contain an objective, outcome and method. Applicants must submit a bio for the LAF Website. They must describe their background, current educational pursuits, future plans, and any other personal interests or activities. Applicants must also submit a resume or CV in PDF format. It should include the applicant's education, professional experience, extra-curricular activities, and honors and awards. Please visit the fellowship's website or contact the Landscape Architecture Foundation for more information.