Environmental science is one of the youngest fields of academia, and there is an increasing number of environmental science scholarships available for college and graduate students. The field emerged in mainstream America in the 1960s and ’70s, partially spurred on by the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring.
As we begin to face the pressing effects of the global climate crisis, it is more important than ever that people study environmental science. If this is a scientific discipline that you want to pursue in college, or at whatever level of study you are currently at, then it never hurts to apply for the following environmental science scholarships.
List of Helpful Environmental Science Scholarships
Here are the top environmental science scholarships to allow you to pursue one of the most critical fields of study in our world today:
1. David E. Lumley Young Scientist Scholarship by AGU
The David E. Lumley Young Scientist Scholarship is one of the many environmental science scholarships offered by AGU, an international non-profit scientific community. AGU’s mission is to advance the understanding of Earth sciences.
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.
The Award
Recipients receive $500 in financial support to participate in the AGU Fall Meeting. For Fall Meeting 2021, recipients can attend either in-person or virtually.
The $500 award is meant to reimburse costs associated with participating in either an in-person meeting (hotel accommodations, travel expenses) or a virtual meeting (purchasing or renting technology, transportation or housing needed to access technology, dependent care costs, unpaid leave/lost wages, etc.).
In addition, recipients will receive a $1,000 college scholarship provided by the David E. Lumley Scholarship Fund.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the David E. Lumley Young Scientist Scholarship for Energy and Environmental Science, you must be the first author of a paper on energy or environmental science research that will be presented at AGU’s Fall Meeting.
Also, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in high school or undergraduate studies
- Include a personal statement in your application describing how the scholarship will further your career goals
- Be interested in exploring or pursuing a career in energy and environmental science
- Submit an abstract before submitting the scholarship application
- Include a recommendation letter from a professor or research advisor
How to Apply
Applications for the David E. Lumley Young Scientist Scholarship can be made online. Start your application process by clicking here.
2. Eckenfelder Scholarship by Brown and Caldwell
Dr. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr.’s career as an environmental trailblazer spanned more than 50 years, during which time he trained thousands of graduate students and professionals in the science and art of industrial wastewater treatment.
To honor his dedication to the environmental industry, Brown and Caldwell offer Dr. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr. Scholarship to support students who are interested in pursuing a career in the environmental profession.
The Award
The Eckenfelder Scholarship is worth $5,000.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must:
- Be United States citizens or permanent residents
- Full-time students enrolled in their junior, senior year, or graduate program at an accredited college/university
- Be declared major in civil, chemical, mechanical, electrical, or environmental engineering, or one of the environmental sciences (e.g. geology, hydrogeology, ecology)
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on a 5.0 scale)
How to Apply
All candidates must submit with a completed application:
- A resume
- An essay of 250 words minimum, “Tell us about a personal experience that influenced your decision to focus on environmental studies.”
- Two written recommendations, with at least one from a university official (e.g. advisor, professor)
- An official transcript of your academic record
Submit your application along with the above documents to this web page.
3. Student Sustainability Leadership Award by AASHE
This award honors students, student teams, and/or student organizations from higher education who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting sustainability on campus.
The Student Sustainability Leadership Award is presented by AASHE, a group dedicated to inspiring and catalyzing higher education to lead the global sustainability movement.
The Award
Award winners receive:
- Recognition via a live virtual awards ceremony
- One complimentary pass to AASHE’s annual conference
- One plaque
- Recognition in Sustainability and Climate Change
Eligibility Requirements
Any student(s) enrolled at an AASHE-member college or university is eligible for this award. Students who graduated within the twelve months prior to the application deadline are still eligible.
The first author of the case study must be the student (or one from the team of students in the case of group projects) for whom the award is being considered.
How to Apply
Students can apply for a Student Sustainability Leadership Award by submitting a case study of their project to AASHE’s Campus Sustainability Hub. However, you will need to log in to the Hub with an AASHE Account in order to submit.
4. Brower Youth Awards by Earth Island Institute
Brower Youth Awards is named after an important former leader of the Sierra Club, six awards are given annually to young environmentalists (ages 13-22) attempting to make a difference in the world through sustainable projects and innovative ideas.
The awards help raise awareness of the youth and project locally and beyond. These are not limited to college students but may help with funding, as well as the chances of receiving additional awards.
The Award
Each of the six recipients of the Brower Youth Awards will receive a $3,000 cash prize, a professionally produced short film about their work from an Emmy Award-winning film crew, and flight and lodging accommodations for a weeklong trip to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Eligibility Requirements
Youth environmental change leaders ages 13 to 22 (as of May 14, 2021) living in North America (including Mexico, Canada, and some Caribbean Islands) and U.S. territories are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
All applications must be completed using Earth Island Institute’s online process that can be accessed by clicking here. In addition to meeting award eligibility requirements and following all instructions to complete the online application, each applicant must submit:
- a photograph of yourself
- if you are a semifinalist, you will be asked for a letter of support from someone who is familiar with you and your environmental work
5. Peters Foundation Scholarship
The Peters Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides a limited amount of scholarship grants to high school seniors graduating in 2022 and pursuing studies in the field of environment, conservation, and forestry at any accredited college or studies in primary or secondary education at a Christian college.
The selection committee determines scholarship amounts based on economic need, academic potential, and other analyses. Students receiving scholarships will be subject to reporting requirements to the foundation.
The Award
The scholarships are a total award that ranges from $10,000 to $20,000 over a four-year period ($2,500 to $5,000 per year) that may be for tuition and is administered at the determination of the selection committee of the foundation.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must attend colleges located in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona or Colorado.
How to Apply
Fully complete, sign, and date the application form that can be found by clicking here.
6. Harry Hampton Fund Scholarship
In a commitment to promote higher education in the natural resources area in South Carolina, the Board of Directors of the Hampton Fund in 1992 established the scholarship program.
This scholarship is awarded annually to a South Carolina resident student to attend an institution of higher learning in the state with a major area of study in wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and many more.
The Harry Hampton Fund Scholarship is one of many environmental science scholarships established by the Harry Hampton Fund Scholarship.
The Award
The Harry Hampton Fund Scholarship consists of an award of $5,000.
Eligibility Requirements
You must be a full-time resident of South Carolina and a senior in a public or private high school in South Carolina. Also, you must attend an institution of higher learning in the state.
How to Apply
Return both pages of the completed application, essay/autobiography, transcript of high school grades, college board scores, rank in the high school class, and a recent photograph no later than the specified deadline to the mentioned address on Harry Hampton Fund Scholarship here.
7. David S. Miller Young Scientist Scholarship by AGU
It is one of many environmental science scholarships sponsored by AGU. The David S. Miller Young Scientist Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students in the geoenvironmental sciences and geo-environmental engineering.
It is available for students who exhibit an interest and academic potential in fields related to Earth science. The scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate an ability to leverage their scientific education to benefit society.
The Award
One winner is selected each year to be awarded a $1,500 scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements
Applications are initially ranked by grade point average and financial need. The top 50% of applicants based on that criteria are then forwarded on for scientific review. To be considered for the scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies
- Demonstrate financial need by current annual income range
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4
- Submit a personal statement describing your research, scientific and intellectual merit, and the project’s originality
- Show documented interest and potential for achievement in a career in the geoenvironmental sciences or geo-environmental engineering
Alternatively, undergraduates must have completed at least four full semesters of study.
How to Apply
Applications for the David S. Miller Young Scientist Scholarship can be made online. Start your application process by clicking here.
8. Full-Ride Scholarship by Colorado Garden Foundation
This scholarship offered by Colorado Garden Foundation is a four-year full-ride scholarship available to an incoming freshman resident from Colorado at a publicly funded Colorado college or university.
Colorado Graden Foundation Scholarship program awards financial aid to students in Agriculture Business, Botany, and Agronomy among many other fields.
The Award
This scholarship includes intuition, fees, room & board, and all required books for the four years. In addition, the student will be given a laptop and printer at the start of their freshman year.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be majoring in one of the aforementioned labels of study. Approval must be granted by the Colorado Garden Foundation Scholarship Committee for application to be made in any major other than the ones listed.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted on the required application form with all required additional information attached. Mail it to Colorado Garden Foundation on or before the due date.
9. Emily M. Hewitt Memorial Scholarship by Calaveras Big Trees Association
This scholarship is administered through a Fund created by the Hewitt family to honor Emily M. Hewitt and to honor a student who shared her love of nature. CBTA selects and awards this scholarship on their behalf.
Emily M. Hewitt was a California artist, author, teacher, and docent whose life found meaning when communicating her love of Nature to others. To this end, she served as a docent at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, where she authored skits, monologues, and audio-visual presentations for visitors.
The Award
This scholarship provides an award of $3,000 to promising California graduate students.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for application is extended to any student or graduate student enrolled full-time in an accredited California post-secondary educational institution whose educational career goals clearly demonstrate an interest in communicating and interpreting nature’s wonder.
Nevertheless, students pursuing degrees in environmental protection, forestry, wildlife, and fisheries biology, parks and recreation, park management, environmental law and public policy, environmental art, and California history are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
A completed application should include the following:
- Statement of personal and career goals (1-2 pages)
- Resume (and portfolio if applicable)
- Transcripts of all college work completed to date (can be “unofficial” transcript)
- Completed application form
Applicants may submit completed applications either by mail or email. Email complete applications to cbta@bigtrees.org.
10. Ted Rollins Eco Scholarship
Ted Rollins and Valeo Groupe Americas award twice each year to one talented student who is majoring in a field related to business, sustainability, or marketing.
Ted Rollins, Executive Chairman and Founding Partner of Valeo Groupe, is a seasoned real estate entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in real estate investment banking, development, structured finance, start-up businesses, and construction.
He is focused on niche opportunity investing in both real estate and financial service sectors, particularly those that balance economic, environmental, and social outcomes.
The Award
The Ted Rollins Eco Scholarship awards $1,000 in educational aid to one outstanding student. This money may be used to pay for tuition, books, or living expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
Those who meet the requirements below qualify for this scholarship:
- High school seniors and college undergraduate students
- Major (or plans to major) in a field related to business, sustainability, or marketing
- Must plan to take at least 10 credit hours during the Spring 2022 semester
How to Apply
Write an essay that details your interests, experience, and goals related to the advancement of sustainability and ecopreneurism. Then, submit your essay to the official Ted Rollins Eco Scholarship website here.
