Some of the most meaningful research opportunities come from stepping beyond the familiar — new environments, new collaborators and 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 semesterlong international research experiences that help doctoral 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,” said Dr. Royal Heins.

Designed for impact and experience

Created through a commitment from Heins, a 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. Proposals involving engineering and artificial intelligence applications for floriculture, greenhouse or controlled-environment production will also be considered.

For students who are past the research phase of their graduate studies, proposals may focus on anticipated professional growth gained through the international experience prior to graduation.

To allow students to take advantage of the opportunity in its first year, the inaugural application deadline is May 1. Beginning in 2027, the deadline will align with other AFE postgraduate opportunities on Feb. 1.

The scholarship is designed to complement a student’s dissertation by providing access to research opportunities, facilities or expertise not available at the home institution. Applicants must secure a host adviser at an institution outside the United States or Canada, reinforcing the fund’s emphasis on global scientific collaboration.

Removing barriers to international research

The annual award ranges from $30,000 to $35,000 and is intended to remove financial barriers that often limit international research experiences. Funds are awarded to the student’s university, with oversight from the major professor, rather than directly to the student.

The scholarship covers replacement costs for the student’s graduate assistantship during the semester abroad, housing at the international location and travel expenses. This structure supports continuity for both students and faculty while enabling meaningful off-campus research.

A career rooted in applied science

The scholarship reflects Heins’ long-standing commitment to applied research, mentorship and experiential learning.

“My academic mentor, Dr. Harold F. Wilkins, believed deeply in the value of a global perspective,” Heins said. “Early in my graduate studies, he invested in my professional growth by sending me to Europe to meet with international scientists — an experience that shaped my career.”

Throughout his academic and industry career, Heins emphasized pairing strong scientific foundations with real-world application. Colleagues and industry leaders frequently cite his influence on modern greenhouse production practices and 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,” Heins said. “Recognizing that not all faculty have the resources to fund these exchanges, I established this scholarship to help send American Ph.D. students abroad.”

A legacy that looks forward

After joining the faculty at Michigan State University in 1978, Heins spent decades teaching crop production and greenhouse environmental physiology while mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. His research focused on annuals, flowering potted plants and herbaceous perennials, plant development responses to temperature, and decision-support systems such as graphical tracking — practices now widely used in commercial greenhouse production.

Over his academic career, Heins advised 16 graduate students and authored or co-authored hundreds of scientific and industry articles, consistently emphasizing clarity, practicality and application.

One of those students was Dr. Erik Runkle, now a professor at Michigan State University.

“I spent one semester at the University of Reading in the U.K. during the first year of my Ph.D. program, and it was an exceptionally rewarding experience both personally and professionally,” Runkle said. “I gained valuable insight into how researchers in a different academic setting interact and design experiments, while also immersing myself in U.K. culture.”

He said the experience helped him build lasting professional relationships and resulted in research later published in a respected journal.

The same philosophy underpins the Royal Heins International Floriculture Research Scholarship Fund. By supporting semesterlong research experiences abroad, the fund encourages young scientists to develop new technical skills, work within different research cultures and view their work through a broader global lens.

“AFE’s mission aligns closely with what I want this scholarship to accomplish: developing the next generation of scientific leaders,” Heins said. “AFE brings the governance, credibility and industry connections needed to ensure this investment has lasting impact.”

Through the Royal Heins International Floriculture Research Scholarship Fund, AFE continues to expand its investment in future floriculture researchers.