Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is pleased to introduce the Richard and Ellen Sandor Prizes, a new series of awards celebrating excellence in orchid research, discovery, and photography. Established in recognition of Richard and Ellen Sandor’s deep commitment to orchids and botanical science, the prizes advance a shared mission: to encourage discovery, support researchers and celebrate the extraordinary diversity and beauty of the orchid world.
Through three distinct prizes—the Richard & Ellen Sandor Orchid Research Prize, Richard & Ellen Sandor Orchid Discovery Prize, and Richard & Ellen Sandor Photography Prize—Selby Gardens will recognize individuals whose work contributes to the understanding, documentation and appreciation of orchids, particularly those of the Americas. Each individual prize will provide $5,000 of support.
Richard & Ellen Sandor Orchid Research Prize
For advancement of a project in orchid research
Eligibility: Individual researchers from anywhere in the world are welcome to apply. They do not need an institutional affiliation. Current or former Selby Gardens employees are ineligible, but Research Associates are welcome to apply. The prize will be announced in the American Orchid Society magazine, the Orchid Digest, and Lankesteriana, along with social media and orchid researcher chat groups.
Project types: Research projects should focus on the discovery and/or documentation of the diversity of the orchid floras of the American tropics or subtropics. The projects should be an independent stand-alone project, not an addition to a larger already-funded research program.
Winner’s obligations: The winner must publish the results, whether in a peer-reviewed journal or a document hosted on Selby Gardens’ website. The winner must also give a public talk, which may be virtual or in person.
Application process: Applicant should submit a cover letter, a two-page proposal, a budget, and a timeline. At least one, and at most two, letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation from published orchid researchers are encouraged but not required. Email botany@selby.org
Evaluation: The proposals will be evaluated by Selby Gardens’ Botany Team and, if possible, one or two independent scientists.
Award: $5,000, to be dispersed as a $4,000 initial payment in January of 2026 when the award is announced, and a $1,000 final payment upon satisfying the award’s requirement for published results (web publication can satisfy this) and a public talk.
Timing: Applications will be accepted until December 1. The prize for 2026 will be awarded in January 2027.
Richard & Ellen Sandor Orchid Discovery Prize
For the most remarkable new orchid species published in 2026
Eligibility: The orchid species must have been published in a peer-reviewed journal during the 2026 calendar year. The prize will be awarded to the first author of the winning discovery. Species must be from the Americas, but the lead author can be from anywhere. Species authored by current and former Selby Gardens employees are not eligible, but Research Associates are welcome to apply.
Application process: Submissions by the discoverers are encouraged, but third-party nominations will also be accepted. Submissions should be sent to Selby Gardens and should be less than one page of text, in addition to one or two photos and a pdf of the publication. The text should explain why the orchid species is especially remarkable. There are many ways to be remarkable, and the applicants need not limit their explanations to simple criteria like size or color. Email botany@selby.org
Evaluation: The same panel that judges the Research Prize proposals will judge these species proposals.
Timing: Proposals will be accepted until Dec 1, 2026, and the prize will be awarded in January 2027 at the same time as the research prize.
Richard & Ellen Sandor Photography Prize
To honor excellence in artistic orchid photography
Eligibility: Photographs entered for consideration for the virtual 46th Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition must have been taken at either of Selby Gardens’ campuses within the past year. The five entry categories for 2026 submissions are: Living Art, Make a Splash, Plant Portraits, The Birds and the Bees, and Black and White.
Application process: Submissions are accepted online through the ArtCall platform. Entry rules, details, and directions are outlined on Selby Gardens’ website and on the ArtCall website. Entry is open to everyone, including Selby Gardens volunteers; however, photos taken in the capacity of volunteer service and therefore owned by Selby Gardens may not be submitted. Photographs cannot include watermarks, words, and graphics. Also, images that include faces of people that are clearly visible will not be accepted.
Evaluation: The prize will honor a photograph that artistically captures the beauty of an orchid species from an aesthetic perspective. The winning image will be selected by a distinguished juried panel including Dr. Richard and Ellen Sandor based on artistic merit, creativity, and visual impact.
Timing: Awards, including the Richard and Ellen Sandor Photogrpahy Prize, will be announced on August 27 and the virtual 46th Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition will be on view through September 30, 2026.
The 47th Annual Juried Photogrphic Exhibition Guidelines will be announced in 2027.
Through three distinct prizes—the Richard & Ellen Sandor Orchid Research Prize, Richard & Ellen Sandor Orchid Discovery Prize, and Richard & Ellen Sandor Photography Prize—Selby Gardens will recognize individuals whose work contributes to the understanding, documentation and appreciation of orchids, particularly those of the Americas. Each individual prize will provide $5,000 of support.