2023 Undergraduate Geosciences Scholarships

Smith Scholars in Geosciences

Description of Scholarship:

Michael Smith is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Freeport LNG Development, LP in Houston, Texas. Mr. Smith was previously the founder, Chief Executive Officer, President and largest shareholder in Colorado’s Basin Exploration until its sale in February 2001. Mr. Smith has maintained a relationship with Colorado State University in several capacities since he was a student here, including service on the Colorado State University Development Council in the late 1990’s. Michael Smith was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Colorado State University in the spring of 2008. Together with his wife Iris, who serves as Chair, President and Treasurer of the Kaitar Foundation, Michael Smith established the Smith Scholars in Geosciences fund to create the most prestigious freshman scholarship for incoming Geology students. The full-tuition scholarship is renewable for up to four years (eight total semesters of support).

Criteria of Scholarship:

To be considered for the scholarship, students must meet the following criteria: 1) Full-time student pursuing a first bachelor’s degree, 2) Colorado resident, 3) Declared Geology major, 4) Demonstrated financial need, 5) Demonstrated academic achievement achievement.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  Varies

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  Full Tuition for up to Eight Semesters

American Alpine Club Research Grants

Description of Grants:

The American Alpine Club (AAC) Research Grants have supported scientific endeavors in mountains and crags around the world. We fund projects that enrich our understanding of the ecosystems and landscapes that are a part of the climbing experience, contribute vital knowledge to the management of climbing environments, and improve the health and sustainability of the climbing community.

In the 2023 grant cycle, the AAC seeks research that will broaden knowledge in the following policy priority areas: combating climate change and protecting public lands. Successful candidates will demonstrate how their research directly addresses pertinent issues facing climbing landscapes and the climbing community.

Criteria of Scholarship:

Projects should focus on the social and economic influences on climbing, mountain environments and alpine pursuits.

Research that fits within one of the following focal areas will receive priority by the selection committee:

FOCAL AREA 1: CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change poses many threats to climbing landscapes and communities across the globe. Increased wildfire prevalence, warmer annual temperatures, shorter winter seasons, and drought are all symptoms of a warming climate and all pose a threat to climbing. The AAC is committed to addressing the threat of climate change and seeks research that quantifies the impacts of a changing climate on climbing landscapes and communities, and further outlines policy guidance for climate mitigation and/or adaptation. Research that explores how distinct climbing areas or communities, such as mountain towns or guide agencies (for example) will be impacted by a changing climate will receive additional priority.

FOCAL AREA 2: PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT

Containing 60% of our nations’ climbing areas, our public lands are key to the American climbing experience. However, threats to our public lands such as unchecked resource extraction, infrastructure development, and the erosion of fundamental environmental laws and policies are on the rise. Additionally, with climbing gyms across the country limiting access due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more climbers than ever are flocking to the outdoors. Increased participation rates in outdoor climbing, while generally a good thing, is leading to resource management challenges across the country. With the compounding stress placed on our public lands the AAC seeks research which provides guidance on correcting one of the major issues facing our public lands today. Research should draw from one or multiple case studies and provide policy or management level guidance on how to address the issue of concern.

In addition to these focal points, applications are considered in terms of their scientific or technical quality and merit:

• Qualifications of the applicant

• Strength of the research framework

• Dissemination plans

• Merit of the investigation

Entire proposal should not exceed 7 pages total and include:

• 3-5 pages for the body of the proposal (including graphics, citations, and plans for disseminating results)

• 2-page resume that includes academic degrees, and other pertinent biographical material

• Budget overview

• Grant amount requested ($500-$1,500)

Prior recipients of this grant must attach a copy of their final summary report to the AAC and copies of any resulting publications.

You will have the option to include attachments that will give the committee a better understanding of your proposal, but we ask that you keep them concise due to the number of proposals we receive.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  1
Dollar Amount of Scholarship: $500 – $1,500. Award amounts will vary based on project and budget.

American Geophysical Union Student Travel Grants

Description of Scholarship:

AGU Student Travel Grants provide funds to assist students with a combination of costs associated with attending the Annual AGU Meeting.

Criteria of Scholarship:

Applicants must:

1. Be the first author and presenting a paper or poster at the AGU Meeting,
2. Be an AGU student member,
3. Be an enrolled high school student, two- or four-year undergraduate student, or graduate student at an accredited academic institution at the time of the AGU Meeting,
4. Show financial ability to attend the AGU Meeting in addition to Travel Grant funds, and
5. Have successfully submitted an abstract prior to filling out your travel grant application. You must include your abstract reference number on the application.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  Various

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $1,000 for In Person Attendance, $500 for Virtual Attendance

Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists Beardsley-Kuper Geology Field Camp Scholarship

Description of Scholarship:

The AEG Foundation Beardsley-Kuper Geology Field Camp Scholarship Fund was established by the AEG Foundation on September 22, 2009 to fully or partially reimburse direct costs (tuition, room, and board) associated with Geology Field Camps attended by students. Initial funding was provided by a gift from Ms. Cathryne Beardsley.

We desire that part of the selection criteria include the field skills taught at the specific accredited school field camp with emphasis on traditional detailed mapping and rock descriptions, as well as newer mapping techniques with GPS and GIS techniques incorporated into the daily routine. Where possible, priority should be given in selection of a student for the award, who would desire to take a field camp preparing the student for the specific occupation as an Engineering or Environmental Geologist, with the field camp teaching engineering and environmental geology techniques such as drilling methods and sampling techniques. We also desire that either the student be given the cash award upon successful completion of the field class or the award paid directly to the school for the student’s field camp tuition, including room and board costs.

Criteria of Scholarship:

1. AEG Student Member
2. Undergraduate or post baccalaureate student who has not won this award previously.
3. Attending field camp at an accredited academic institution with an emphasis on environmental and engineering geology.
4. May be used by recipients to support the direct costs of the field camp tuition as well as meals and lodging.
5. Applicants must have completed a minimum level of coursework necessary for a basic foundation in geology prior to attending field camp, clearly shown on submitted transcripts. Such coursework may include: mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, geomorphology, stratigraphy.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  1 or more

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  Varies

Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists Diversity Scholarship

Description of Scholarship:

The AEG FOUNDATION Diversity Scholarship Fund (“Fund”) was established by the AEG Foundation in 2021 to support efforts to increase the diversity of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists (AEG) and those in the Geosciences profession. This Fund is a new resource for junior-high-school, high-school, and undergraduate college or university students who are historically disadvantaged. For the purpose of this Fund, those who are “underserved, historically disadvantaged” are those who have Black, Hispanic or Latino/a, Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaskan Native heritage. In 2020, the AEG Executive Council made the following statement on diversity: “AEG supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Geosciences professions and in our organization. AEG leadership plans to further our efforts in promoting these values by challenging ourselves on what we can do better to encourage underrepresented populations to consider and obtain careers in the Geosciences and to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment within our Association and the Geosciences professions.” In 2020, AEG established the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC). Leaders and members of this DEIC will take the lead in providing monetary and human resources for the Fund.

Criteria of Scholarship:

1. Have a personal heritage of Black, Hispanic or Latino/a, Pacific Islander, and/or American Indian/Alaska Native.
2. Have declared major studies in the Geoscience, such as Geology, Geophysics, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and related geoscience subjects.
3. Undergraduate student in the Sophomore, Junior, or Senior years.
4. Have a GPA of at least 2.9, confirmed by a school transcript directly from the school.
5. Have a potential for contributions to the Geosciences profession.
6. Exhibit leadership abilities and/or experience.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  1 or more

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $5,000

Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists Tilford Field Studies Scholarship

Description of Scholarship:

The Tilford Field Studies Scholarship Fund supports geologic field studies by students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Recipients of grants will be designated as “Tilford Scholars.” Awards will be made by the AEG Foundation to outstanding students based on demonstrated ability, scholarship, potential for contributions to the profession, character, and activities in student/professional societies.

Criteria of Scholarship:

1. AEG Student Member
2. Undergraduate student who will use this scholarship toward the cost of a geology field camp course or senior thesis field research

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  1 

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $1,000

Charles E. Beverly Memorial Scholarship

Description of Scholarship:

Charles E. Beverly earned his B.S. in geology in June 1966 and his M.S. in geology in August 1969, both at CSU. He was killed in a helicopter accident in 1979 while conducting an exploration project for the Anaconda Company. In honor of Chuck Beverly’s accomplishments and to perpetuate the qualities he stood for, his friends established this scholarship in 1981.

Criteria of Scholarship:

The recipient of this scholarship must be a student in geology who will be a junior or senior going into the scholarship award year. Selection will also be based on intent to pursue a career in the field of mineral exploration.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  2

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $1,300

Chris Lidstone and Kate Laudon Scholarship in Geosciences

Description of Scholarship:

Chris Lidstone and Kate Laudon owe much of their success to a diverse group of adults, who mentored them throughout their early career. These individuals did so in a selfless fashion and inspired them to pursue their respective careers in geology and hydrogeology. Much of the success of their professional career was based on, not only classroom knowledge, but was truly sustained by that which they learned outside of the direct university environment. This work included summer prospecting and travel to dinosaur digs, geological field work as summer jobs and internships, writing for and receipt of grant work, attendance and success at university sponsored Geology Field Camp as well as what they learned from other students and non-students at these same Field Camps. They would like this scholarship to be awarded to a student that has made an effort outside of school to promote his or her own education and professional success.

Criteria of Scholarship:

The recipient of the scholarship shall 1) be an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the department of Geosciences; and 2) maintain an overall 3.0 GPA. Primary preference shall be given to a student exemplifying diversity in academic and cultural activities above and beyond their core education in Geosciences. This does not imply diversity in race or religion, but rather those which give students additional experience in learning, mentorship and extracurricular activities both in and out of the geosciences field. This can include but is not limited to volunteer work in fields other than geosciences, summer internships and work, demonstrated success and interest in geological Field Camp and/or voluntary teaching and mentoring activities. In the event that a student cannot be chosen based on the above criteria and preference, secondary preference may include financial need as established by the Office of Student Financial Services of Colorado State University.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  1

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $1,900

The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation Fellowship

Description of Fellowship:

The Foundation solicits applications from students enrolled in Colorado colleges and universities conducting research in the Rocky Mountains or this region or students outside Colorado whose research is focused on the Rocky Mountain region.

The top three outstanding applicants are awarded a named fellowship: either the Neal B. Kindig Fellowship, in honor of the late Dr. Kindig, a graduate of West Point and Stanford University and professor of electrical engineering at the University of Colorado, as well as an active member of The Colorado Mountain Club and The CMC Foundation; the Kurt Gerstle Fellowship, in honor of the late Dr. Gerstle, professor of engineering at the University of Colorado, a long-time member of CMC, and the founder of the Foundation’s Academic Fellowship program; or the Al Ossinger Fellowship, in honor of the late Dr. Ossinger, a graduate of Stanford University, a long-time member of CMC and the Foundation, and retired chair of the Academic Fellowship Committee.

Criteria of Fellowship: Grants are made to individuals only, for research under the direction of a faculty member of an institution of higher learning. Application must be sent by April 15^th of each year. The faculty sponsor must submit a letter under separate cover in support of the student and the proposed research. Previous one-time winners of CMCF fellowships or grants are welcome to apply; however, those who have received CMCF support two previous years or more are ineligible.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  Varies

Dollar Amount of Scholarship: $500-$2,000

Colorado Scientific Society Student Grants Program

Description of Grant:

The Colorado Scientific Society invites junior and senior undergraduates and graduate students in Master’s and Ph.D. programs at accredited colleges and universities to apply for research grants to be awarded in late April.

Criteria of Grant:

The recipient of a grant from the Memorial Research Funds of the Colorado Scientific Society is expected to use the funds prudently, within the general framework of the proposal. Funds will be expended only for the purposes stated, and in accordance with, the budget indicated in the application. A budget can be modified only by previous written agreement with the Memorial Funds Committee. Upon completion of the project, the recipient will submit a brief accounting (no receipts necessary) of project disbursements and will return to the Memorial Research Funds of the Colorado Scientific Society any unused balance of the grant. If the recipient leaves school or is unable to complete the project for any reason, he or she agrees to return to the Memorial Research Funds of the Society any unused portion of the grant.

The recipient of a grant will begin the project at the time stated in the application and will continue the research throughout the expected duration of the investigation. If the recipient is unable to begin the work on the project as stated in the application, the Chairman of the Memorial Research Funds Committee must be notified. The Memorial Research Funds Committee will determine whether the recipient will be allowed an extension of time or should return the funds and reapply the following year.

Reports of successful completion of research help the Society attract contributions to provide growth of the Memorial Funds. In the spirit of helping support future research, grant recipients should submit a brief report of findings and a summary of expenditures. The Colorado Scientific Society expects acknowledgment of support from the Memorial Research Funds in publications resulting from the project.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  12-15

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $600-$1,000

Evolving Earth Foundation Grant Program

Description of Grant:

The Evolving Earth grant program provides grants to support student research in the earth sciences. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers at accredited U.S. colleges and universities or research institutions are eligible to apply for grant funding.

The emphasis will be on research topics that relate to the mission and priorities of the foundation.

Criteria of Scholarship:

Your grant application must include:

• Completed Grant Application Form
• Proposal Description
• Detailed Budget
• Letter of Recommendation

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  10

Dollar Amount of Grant:  Up to $3,000 per grant

Explorer’s Club Discovery Expedition Grants

Description of Grant:

The Explorers Club is excited to announce a new grant program in partnership with Discovery, Inc. The Explorers Club Discovery Expeditions grants align with The Club’s mission to foster scientific understanding for the betterment of humanity and all life on Earth and beyond, including our commitment to mitigate climate change, prevent the extinction of species and cultures, and ensure the health of our lands, oceans and all that inhabit them. Further, we believe that the explorers fulfill a critical role as a storyteller.

Fieldwork in the following disciplines will be considered: Biological sciences, archaeology, anthropology, paleontology, earth sciences, ecology, and astronomy, as well as exploratory projects that reveal new knowledge about the planet and its inhabitants, including regions undergoing environmental or cultural change.

Criteria of Grant:

The Explorers Club Expedition grants support researchers and explorers from around the world, while also providing them with a platform to illuminate their findings—and without restrictions on scientific publication or infringement on ownership of research. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Number of Grants Awarded:  1

Dollar Amount of Grant:  $25,000-$40,000

Explorer’s Club Stephenson Explorers Advancement Program

Description of Grant:

This category supports exploration and field research for marine exploration and conservation projects. The Philip Stephenson Foundation promotes marine exploration, protection, and conservation projects focused on adding value to people’s lives and the health of the environment.

Criteria of Grant:

The Explorers Club Expedition grants support researchers and explorers from around the world, while also providing them with a platform to illuminate their findings—and without restrictions on scientific publication or infringement on ownership of research. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Number of Grants Awarded:  Varies

Dollar Amount of Grant:  $10,000

Explorer’s Club Rising Explorer Grant

Description of Grant:

The Explorers Club is proud of its history and also looks toward the future by recognizing the importance of new ideas and avenues of exploration. The Club is deeply committed to supporting the fieldwork of serious researchers and, as part of its public service commitment, offers exploration grants to High School Students and College Undergraduates as a way to help get their expedition science career off the ground, and out in to the field!

Criteria of Grant:

Open to high school students, college undergraduates, and independent researchers doing scientific field work at an equivalent level.

Number of Grants Awarded:  Varies

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $1,500 average

Glacier National Park Conservancy – Jerry O’Neal Research Fellowship

Description of Fellowship:

The Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center, in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain CESU and support from the Glacier National Park Conservancy, created the Glacier National Park Conservancy—Jerry O’Neal Research Fellowship to promote research in Glacier National Park, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

Jerry O’Neal was a former deputy superintendent of Glacier National Park who was actively engaged in a range of environmental management projects and was a key park official during the wildfires of 2003. Jerry was a scientist, poet, and writer. He had a deep love of nature, and was an outspoken proponent for using sound science to support resource management decisions.

The fellowship aims to provide educational assistance for students seeking to understand natural and cultural resource issues and how these intersect with human values at Glacier National Park, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, or Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

Applications are typically posted around November each year and are usually due mid-February.

Criteria of Fellowship:

Applicants must be a student from a CESU member college or university.

Special consideration will be given to proposals that address the following:

• Natural resource issues such as aquatic ecology, terrestrial ecology, fire ecology, invasive plants, and climate change.
• Cultural resource issues, such as history and architectural studies, cultural landscape reports, archeology, and ethnographic research.
• Social science that informs resource management about a natural or cultural topic and/or that addresses visitor impacts to park resources.

Number of Fellowships Awarded:  Varies

Dollar Amount of Fellowship:  $1,000-$5,000

John and Dolores Goodier Scholarship

Description of Scholarship:

John T. Goodier, a 1959 CSU graduate of geology, and Dolores A. (Price) Goodier, a 1958 CSU graduate of occupational therapy, have established this scholarship to benefit College of Natural Resource students in their junior or senior year.

Criteria of Scholarship:

The recipient of this scholarship must 1) be a junior or senior going into the scholarship award year; 2) be majoring in geology; 3) maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; and 4) be a Colorado or Wyoming resident.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  1

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $1,000

Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation Bolyard Family Scholarship

Description of Scholarship:

This scholarship was established by the Bolyards, longtime supporters of the RMAG Foundation and the geologic community. Dudley recently passed away and will be greatly missed. He served in major leadership positions with the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and the RMAG Foundation. He is remembered for his passionate success in all his geologic endeavors and unbridled enthusiasm for geologic events.Marion has been a longtime leader in the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Auxiliary, an organization which provides support for technical conferences, conventions, and various social events for the geologic community.

Criteria of Scholarship:

The Bolyard Family Scholarship has no restrictions or requirements. The RMAG Foundation welcomes applications in any field of geoscience, and rewards academic excellence and scientific achievement. The scholarship may be awarded to graduate students or to a rising senior at any four-year university or college that offers a degree in geology except for students attending the Colorado School of Mines or Colorado College which have their own dedicated scholarships.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  1

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  Varies

Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation Scholarship

Roy G. & Ruth K. Coffin Scholarship

Description of Scholarship:

The Roy G. and Ruth K. Coffin Memorial Scholarship originally the Ruth K. Coffin Memorial Scholarship was initiated in 1959 by Dr. Roy Coffin. Dr. Coffin entered Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) in 1912 and graduated in 1914. During that time he also served as a chemistry instructor. During the summers of 1911 to 1915, he was a topographer and geologist with the Colorado Geological Survey. In 1926 he was co-discoverer of the local, internationally known Folsom site, now recognized as an outstanding contribution to western archaeology. He served as Captain of Colorado Agricultural College Battery A during World War I. Major Coffin retired from Colorado A&M faculty in 1947. In 1988, Francis and Evelyn Clark (CSU 1928), long-time friends of the Coffins, made a significant contribution to the endowment to make the scholarship a joint commemoration and the fund name was changed to include Dr. Roy Coffin.

Criteria of Scholarship:

The recipient of this scholarship must 1) be a geology or chemistry student and be a sophomore going into the scholarship award year; 2) be in the upper one fourth of his/her class and maintain an upper one-fourth standing during tenure of the scholarship. Selection will be based on leadership, financial need, personality, character, promise of success, and scholastic achievement.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  1

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $1,300

Salonee Kharkar Memorial Scholarship

Description of Scholarship:

A memorial foundation created in Zambia, Africa. It was made in honor of Salonee Kharkar, daughter of Chintamani and Sulan Kharkar, sister of Shamola Kharkar. Every month, donations are made to different societies like animal shelters, street kids’ homes, old age homes, SOS villages, educational institutions in order to better people’s lives. Donations include money, food, books and supplies. On July 20th 2013, the Kharkar family launched mobile libraries. These mobile libraries contained about 200 books. Three libraries were launched, and were sent to SOS village, Brain-O-Brain academy and Life Ministries. (SOS village is an international organization, where street children or children who have been abused, can grow up in a safe environment, where food and education is provided. There are several homes in the village, and each home has about 15 children, who are taken care of by a “mom” and an “aunt”). After a few months, the Kharkar’s were able to launch two more libraries; one for International School of Lusaka (a school that Salonee Kharkar attended from reception until Form 5 (Grade 11), when she graduated in 2001). Another library was donated to Raise a Smile Charities. They are preparing for a new library which provides research materials. The founders of Salonee Kharkar Memorial Foundation are also affiliated with the Salonee Kharkar Memorial Scholarship at Colorado State University (which was where Salonee Kharkar studied).

Criteria of Scholarship:

The recipient of the Salonee Kharkar scholarship shall: 1) be an undergraduate student; 2) have a major in Geosciences; 3) preference shall be given to students from an underrepresented population; and 4) preference shall be given to students who are contributing to extra-curricular activities in the department and/or College.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  1

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $1,000

Undergraduate Explorationist Scholarship

Criteria of Scholarship:

The recipient of this scholarship must be 1) a full-time undergraduate Geology major in the Warner College of Natural Resources; 2) have a 2.75 GPA; 3) have completed, be enrolled or intend to take advanced math course(s) beyond what is expected for a Geology degree; and 4) interested in attaining an advanced degree in Geology or Geophysics with a focus in seismology.

Number of Scholarships Awarded:  2

Dollar Amount of Scholarship:  $2,000

For additional information about financial aid at Colorado State University, visit the CSU Office of Financial Aid website.