Darvin DeShazer Scholarship Program

The Sonoma Mycological Society (SOMA) is pleased to announce two types of educational scholarships. We aim to support undergraduate and graduate level students studying mycology and fungal related research topics. In parallel, we hope to support community-science based mycology projects, programs, and initiatives. Our hope is that these scholarships will stimulate further interest and study in the amazing world of fungi. Funds for these awards are earned from the proceeds of our annual SOMA Camp and other events.


Academic Scholarships

Application deadline: May 31

Collegiate scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in studying mycology and fungi-related topics.

Winning applicants will be asked to present their work or another aspect of current mycology at one of the regular SOMA meetings (or SOMA Camp) during the next 24 months. Graduate students will be given priority for funding, but undergraduates will also receive support from SOMA at the discretion of the scholarship committee.

Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarship Application & Guidelines

Required materials in addition to application:

  1. A brief (1-3 page) letter on what you are studying, your major, and whom you are working under. Please CLEARLY state your research hypothesis and aim. Include details on the discrete steps you will take to accomplish your goals. This statement should also include a summary of relevant courses, research, and experiences related to mycology and fungi.
  2. A confirmation of your willingness to present a talk/slide show at a monthly meeting of SOMA in Santa Rosa, CA.
  3. A brief letter or recommendation from someone connected to your academic pursuits.
  4. Contact information: email, phone, address.

Mycology Community-Science Scholarships

Application deadline: May 31

Thanks to a generous donation to SOMA, we are going to start offering scholarships to support community-science projects, programs, and initiatives. Unlike our academic scholarships, you do not need to be affiliated with a school or university. These scholarships are meant to help support people striving to build community around mycology and utilize emerging technologies to study fungi in novel ways.

We envision these scholarships going to support community lab spaces, sequencing equipment, cultivation workshops, documentation of new species, bio/mycoremediation, and fungi-related educational outreach.

If awarded a scholarship we do ask that you will be willing to present a summary of your work at our monthly SOMA members meeting or at our annual SOMA camp.

Community-Science Scholarship Application & Guidelines

Required materials in addition to application:

  1. A brief (1-3 page) letter on describing your background, motivation, and proposal. Please CLEARLY state your goals. Include details on the discrete steps you will take to accomplish your goals and how this money will be used. This statement should also include a summary of relevant experience you have with mycology and community-science.
  2. A confirmation of your willingness to present a talk/slide show at a monthly meeting of SOMA in Santa Rosa, CA.
  3. A brief letter or recommendation from someone connected to your academic pursuits.
  4. Contact information: email, phone, address.

4th-12th grade scholarships

Application deadline: December 31st

In order to encourage younger students to come to camp, we are instituting this new, exciting scholarship opportunity. If you are in a grade 4th to 12th and have an interest in mycology, we encourage you to participate in this opportunity.

There will be opportunities for up to 2 students to obtain scholarships used toward attendance at the annual SOMA Wild Mushroom Camp in January.

4th-12th Grade Scholarship Guidelines


How to apply

Email everything to:

If you have any questions, feel free to .