Scholarship Opportunities | Geological and Environmental Sciences

There are many scholarships, grants, awards and fellowship opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Western Michigan University. Most of our departmental scholarships are made possible through endowments and gifts and are awarded as they become available. Graduate students are eligible to receive financial assistance in the form of teaching assistantships and research assistantships; these awards are limited in number and awarded on competitive basis. Additionally, the department awards travel grants to eligible students for attending seminars, presentations and research conferences.

Departmental scholarships and awards

Each spring, the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences offers a variety of scholarships and awards to its undergraduate and graduate students. Following are the scholarships that are awarded on Friday, April 20, during our departmental awards banquet:

College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships

University scholarships

Undergraduate students: Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award, International Study Scholarship, New students, Other WMU scholarships
Graduate students: Graduate College fellowships, scholarships and grants
Graduate and undergraduate students: Diversity and Inclusion Student Writing Prize, Endowments, Grants, Michigan programs, Private foundations, Transfer students, Undocumented students, Veterans

External prizes and scholarships

Michigan Section of AIPG Andrew Mozola Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship program is open to undergraduate students enrolled in a geological science program at an accredited college or university in the State of Michigan. The deadline for submission of application materials is June 1, 2018. For additional information, please view the application instructions.

Desk and Derrick Educational Trust
A scholarship program for assistance with tuition and books, is offered to qualified student citizens of the United States or Canada who have completed two years of undergraduate studies with a minimum 3.25 overall grade point average on a 4.00 scale and enrolled in a full-time program. The application deadline is on or before April 1, 2018.
Michigan Geological Basin Society
The Michigan Geological Basin Society will award one or more scholarships of up to $500 to graduate or undergraduate students conducting research in earth science related to Michigan. Candidates should complete and submit the MBGS scholarship application form by April 6, 2018. For additional application instructions, please view the application instructions.

The Ivanhoe Foundation
AIPG MI - 2017 Student Poster Contest
When: 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm, November 30, 2017. Where: Weber’s Inn, Ann Arbor 48103. Prizes: First prize in the graduate and undergraduate categories is $1,000; runner up prize in each category is $500. All student members of AIPG are welcome and encouraged to bring a poster depicting their original geological research to the Michigan Section’s annual meeting. Posters will be displayed during the social hour and dinner. Judging will be done by attending members; votes will be collected by the executive committee immediately prior to the evening technical presentation.The winners will be announced following the presentation.

External research and fellowship opportunities

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is accepting applications for the 2018 Ford Foundation Fellowships Programs for Achieving Excellence in College and University Teaching. Full eligibility information and online applications are available on our website.
The West Michigan Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association is pleased to announce the availability of individual scholarships, each in the amount of $2,500 to be awarded to selected students pursuing a career in environmental studies. Scholarship eligibility requirements and application instructions are listed on our website.
Michigan Sea Grant is announcing four graduate fellowships. These paid 1 or 2 year fellowships are targeted towards students with a strong interest in marine and Great Lakes issues, including natural resources science, policy and law. Applications are currently being accepted online and are due in January or February, depending on the opportunity. Graduate students with a wide range of backgrounds (e.g., natural or physical sciences, policy, law) and a strong interest in Great Lakes, coastal, aquatic or marine issues are encouraged to apply. Programs require a full-time commitment, and fellows typically graduate from their degree program before embarking on the fellowship. Occasionally, students take time away from their graduate program while pursuing these fellowships. These fellowships come with financial support. See each posting for more details.

With support from key member societies, AGI's Geoscience Policy and Critical Issues Programs offer multiple internships for young and early-career geoscientists and two fellowships each year. These opportunities provide unique experiences to combine geoscience information and research with data analysis, outreach, and policy. Application deadlines vary according to opportunity.
The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in STEM fields and in STEM education. The GRFP provides three years of support for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in STEM and STEM education. NSF especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, and veterans to apply. NSF also encourages undergraduate seniors to apply.