Scholarships
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Fellowships and scholarships offer fantastic ways to enhance and extend engagement with earth, environmental, and planetary science issues at Northwestern. These programs provide the resources, financial and otherwise, to pursue several opportunities, including laboratory research, travel, research assistantship, independent research, specialized and/or professional study, and graduate education. While scholarships like the Fulbright and the Goldwater are very popular and competitive, smaller, lesser known programs can also be beneficial.
Most of the programs listed below entail extensive application processes that must be initiated far in advance from the application deadlines. Many of the external fellowships, such as the Udall, have an internal selection process by which Northwestern chooses nominees to compete with students from colleges and universities across the country. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that students research fellowship options and their eligibility requirements and applications thoroughly in consultation with the Office of Fellowships.
Internal funding
Northwestern University offers a number of monetary awards that can be used to fund independent research, travel, mentorship, and more in to support students in the Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences.
| Funding Source | Award | Description |
| Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grant (AYURG) | Up to $1,000 | Pays for expenses of a research project which takes place during in the academic year in any field of study. |
| Summer Undergraduate Research Grant (SURG) | $4,000 | Covers living expenses for eight weeks of full-time research on an independent academic or creative project, in all fields of study, under faculty supervision. |
| Conference Travel Grant (CTG) | 50% of expenses, up to $500 | Provides support to students traveling to present their research/projects at conferences and exhibitions. |
| Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP) | $16.25/hr | Provides a paid research assistantship to an inexperienced undergraduate. Application must be submitted by a faculty member; this can be done with a specific student in mind. |
| Land Environmental Studies Grant | Varies, see site for details | Special Weinberg grant for environmental research. |
External Funding
Many external organizations offer scholarships and funding for academics and research in DEEPS-related fields. Some of these financial awards also come with additional benefits, such as summer research experiences, mentoring and more. Have a funding source you want to see added to our list? Contact deeps@northwestern.edu
| Funding Source | Award | Description |
| Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP) Chicago Chapter Scholarship | $1,500 | The purpose of the AHMP Chicago Chapter scholarship is to support students who are investing their future in the protection of the environment. Only undergraduate upperclassmen or graduate students at northern Illinois institutions are eligible to apply for the AHMP Chicago Environmental Scholarship. |
| American Geosciences Institute Scholarship | Varies | The AGI Federation of societies and associated organizations offer a variety of scholarships to support undergraduate and graduate students in the geosciences. These scholarships are designed to help students pursue their education and careers in the geosciences. |
| American Meteorological Society (AMS) Scholarships and Fellowships | Varies | The American Meteorological Society (AMS) administers an array of graduate fellowships and undergraduate scholarships with the support of its members, corporations, and government agencies nationwide. The fellowships and scholarships range from $1,000 to $26,000 and help further the education of outstanding graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a career in the atmospheric and related oceanic or hydrologic sciences. |
| Association for Women Geoscientists Scholarships and Awards | Varies | The Association for Women Geoscientists offers a number of awards for undergraduate and graduate women and others from underrepresented gender identities pursuing careers in the geosciences. |
| Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship | Up to $40,000 | The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship is up to $20,000 per year for two years available to a student entering their junior year in a 4-year undergraduate degree program or entering the last two years of a 5-year or dual degree undergraduate program and studying in a field related to floods and flood management. |
| Barry Goldwater Scholarship Program | Up to $7,500 per academic year | The Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the United States, seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this Nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields. |
| Circumnavigator Grant | $10,000 |
A once-in-a-lifetime $10,000 grant to spend the summer travelling the world, researching a topic of your choice. The Circumnavigators Travel-Study Grant is jointly given by the Chicago Chapter of the Circumnavigators Club, an external organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural exchange through international travel, and coordinated by our NU Office of Undergraduate Research. One winner a year is selected to travel to a minimum of 5 countries across at least 3 continents studying whatever it is that you feel should be studied around the world. Only students with junior class standing are eligible to apply. |
| David E. Lumley Young Scientist Scholarship | $1,000 scholarship + $500 to support participation at AGU conference | The David E. Lumley Young Scientist Scholarship for Energy and Environmental Science is for high school and undergraduate students with an interest in environmental science and energy. Its purpose is to inspire today’s young minds to work on problems of global importance in both the energy and environmental sectors of industry and academia. |
| David S. Miller Young Scientist Scholarship | $2,000 | The David S. Miller Young Scientist Scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate students in geo-environmental sciences or engineering. This scholarship is for students who exhibit an interest and academic potential in fields related to Earth science. One scholarship is awarded each year to a student who demonstrates an ability to leverage their scientific education to benefit society. |
| Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation Master's Degree Scholarship Program | $2,500 | Six scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each are offered to students completing undergraduate degree programs at accredited four-year institutions. Applicants must have been accepted to enter an accredited graduate program to complete a Master’s Degree either in Environmental Engineering or related field of engineering or Environmental Science or related field (as discussed in the FAQs). These scholarships are based on academic performance. |
| The Explorers Club Grants | Varies | The Explorers Club offers multiple grant opportunities to support young scientists conducting fieldwork around the globe. Awards up to $25,000 are available |
| Garden Club of America Scholarships | Varies | The Garden Club of America offers numerous scholarships and awards to undergraduate and graduate students in fields of study ranging from botany to bird habitat and wetland conservation to desert horticulture. |
| The Geological Society of America Grants and Scholarships | Varies | Every year, GSA distributes hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships to help further the future of the geosciences. Funds are available to both undergraduate and graduate applicants. |
| Geothermal Rising Scholarships | Varies | Geothermal Rising (GR) awards are open to Graduate and Undergraduate students from a broad array of disciplines related to any aspect of geothermal energy, including but not limited to geosciences, environmental studies, engineering, renewable energy, energy policy, public policy, water rights, and other social sciences. |
| grants.gov | Varies | The United States Government offers many grants in many fields, including those of Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences. Use this database to browse current government funding opportunities. |
| June Bacon-Bercey Scholarship in Atmospheric Sciences for Women | $1,000 | The June Bacon-Bercey Scholarship in Atmospheric Sciences for Women supports women students with a demonstrated interest in atmospheric sciences and intersections with meteorology. Originally offered between 1978 and 1990 and reestablished in 2021 through support from AGU’s community of donors, the family of June Bacon-Bercey, and AccuWeather, the scholarship recognizes outstanding accomplishments for a scientist at their career-stage. |
| Mineralogical Society of America Grants for Student Research in Mineralogy & Petrology | $2,000 | The Mineralogical Society of America’s Grants for Student Research In Mineralogy And Petrology are funded by an endowment created by contributions from the MSA membership. The grant comprises two awards of up to $5,000 each for research in mineralogy and petrology by graduate students and a $2,000 grant for research in this field by an undergraduate student. |
| The Muir Way Scholarship | $1,000 | The Muir Way Scholarship is a $1,000 Scholarship for 2 and 4-year undergraduate students with non-profit and volunteering experience whose field of study is environmental science or conservation. The goal of this scholarship is to support students that are looking to build careers related to environmental conservation. Majors related to conservation may apply to the scholarship, but preference will be given to students studying cartography or GIS. |
| NEHA/AAS Environmental Health Scholarships | $2,650 | NEHA/AAS aims to positively contribute to the future of environmental health by offering scholarships for eligible undergraduate and graduate students. The scholarship program aims to encourage early commitment by students to pursue a career in environmental health. |
| National Garden Clubs (NGC) College Scholarships | Up to $4,000 | NGC's college scholarship program offers financial aid to students majoring in fields of study related to horticulture and the environment. For additional scholarship opportunities, visit your state's garden club federation website. |
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship | Up to $26,000 + travel expenses | The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to $9,500 per year) for two years of full-time study and a 10-week, full-time paid ($700/week) internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. |
| Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Undergraduate Scholarships | Up to $5,000 | The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) regularly hosts competitions related to Earth and environmental sciences for undergraduate students with awards up to $5,000 for first place winners. |
| Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Scholarships | $500 - $10,000, avg ~$3,600 | The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Scholarships encourage the study of geophysics and related geosciences in universities around the world. Focused on attracting the best and brightest high school and college students, they are intended to recognize those students who have demonstrated outstanding academic merit and commitment to the study of a career in geophysics and related geosciences. |
| United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation Scholarships | Varies | The USGIF scholarship program aims to support and encourage talented individuals who demonstrate a passion for geospatial intelligence, geospatial sciences, and related disciplines. Successful applicants receive financial assistance to pursue their education and achieve their academic goals. The program has historically attracted a diverse pool of applicants, ranging from graduating high school seniors to graduate students pursuing advanced degrees. |
| Universities Space Research Association Distinguished Undergraduate Awards | $5,000 | The USRA Distinguished Undergraduate Awards provide college scholarship awards to students who have shown a career interest in science or engineering with an emphasis on space research or space science education, and aeronautics-related sciences. |
Looking for more? The Office of Fellowships maintains its own database of awards and hosts additional resources for applicants, including personal support and mentorship.