Myrle Burk Scholarship
Administered by
The Iowa Academy of Science

The Myrle Burk Scholarship was established by funds received from the estate of Myrle Burk, a longtime member of the Iowa Academy of Science who had a strong interest in ornithology. The scholarship is awarded to college or university sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students who have demonstrated an interest in ornithology. The Iowa Academy of Science may present up to 4 awards per year with a maximum of $750 per award. A committee of Iowa Academy of Science members reviews the scholarship applications. The deadline for application is the last Friday in March.

Myrle Marie Juliana Burk (1899-1992) grew up in Black Hawk County, Iowa. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa, a master's from the University of Nebraska, and a doctorate from the University of Illinois. Dr. Burk was a long time member of the Iowa Academy of Science. She published "Flowering Plants of Black Hawk County, Iowa" in the Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science (38:135-149). Upon her death, Dr. Burk left a generous contribution to the Iowa Academy of Science for the creation of a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing the study of birds. Dr. Burk was also a charter member of the Iowa Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and a member of the Iowa Ornithologists Union.