Money may not grow on trees, but what about funding for students who work to protect them? Not all environmental organizations have the resources to pay their interns, however, that doesn’t mean funding isn’t possible.
Check with your school or university to determine what funding may be available to you. Often there are many school-specific grants, fellowships, and scholarship opportunities.
In the meantime, check out this list of scholarship opportunities we found (updated May 2013).
- J.W. Saxe Memorial Fund — The J.W. Saxe Memorial Fund offers this grant to undergraduate and graduate students seeking support for an unpaid or low paying internship in the public service sector; Award: $2,000; Deadline n/a.
- The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award — The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $10,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for one year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career. Deadline: January 18, 2013
- The Udall Foundation — The Foundation expects to award 80 scholarships of up to $5000 and 50 honorable mentions of $350 to sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. Register to apply by February 28, 2013.
- The Elizabeth Gardner Norweb Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship — To encourage studies and careers in the environmental field, with the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience beyond the regular course of study. Provides financial assistance of $2000 to one student annually for field work, research, or classroom work in the environmental field. Open to college undergraduates for summer study following the freshman, sophomore, or junior year. Applications must be received by Feb. 10, 2013.
- The Mary T. Carothers Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship — To encourage studies and careers in the environmental field, with the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience beyond the regular course of study. Provides financial assistance of $2000 to one student annually for field work, research, or classroom work. Open to college undergraduates for summer study following the freshman, sophomore, or junior year. Applications must be received by Feb. 10, 2013.
- The Clara Carter Higgins Scholarship and GCA Awards for Summer Environmental Studies — Annually funds one Clara Carter Higgins scholar and one or more GCA Summer Environmental Studies scholars $2000 per recipient in financial assistance for summer coursework in environmental studies. Open to college students following their freshman, sophomore, or junior year. These awards offer students who have demonstrated a keen interest in the betterment of the environment an opportunity for further study at a site chosen by the student. The purpose is to encourage studies and careers in the environmental field, with the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience beyond the regular course of study. Applications must be received by Feb. 10, 2013.
- STAR Fellowships — EPA’s STAR graduate fellowship program supports master’s and doctoral candidates in environmental studies. Each year, students in the United States compete for STAR fellowships through a rigorous review process. Students can pursue degrees in traditionally recognized environmental disciplines as well as other fields such as social anthropology, urban and regional planning, and decision sciences. Since the program began in 1995, EPA has awarded approximately 1,500 STAR fellowships to students in every state and most territories. Fellowships have helped educate new academic researchers, government scientists, science teachers, and, environmental engineers.
- Open Society Fellowship — The Open Society Fellowship enables innovative professionals-including journalists, activists, academics, and practitioners-to work on projects that inspire meaningful public debate, shape public policy, and generate intellectual ferment within the Open Society Foundations. Development of innovative policy project can be performed in conjunction to work with a policy organization such as the NYLCV.
- Brower Youth Awards — The Earth Institute New Leader Initiative recognizes people ages 13 to 22 living in North America who have shown outstanding leadership on a project or campaign with positive environmental and social impact. “Outstanding leadership” means that you played a major leadership role in creating, organizing and implementing your project or campaign. They are looking for the person with the vision, motivation, and leadership skills that made the project or campaign work. Impact is gauged by how efforts benefited the environment and community in terms of measurable results (e.g. acres of wildlife habitat protected or restored, number of people engaged in social issues because of the project, numbers of children no longer exposed to toxins, etc.), as well as movement-building and raising awareness. Applications must be received by May 13, 2013.
- W. Wesley Eckenfelder Scholarship — In recognition of Dr. Wesley Eckenfelder’s many contributions to the environmental profession, Brown and Caldwell offers a $5,000 scholarship for students pursuing education and careers within the environmental industry. Deadline April 15, 2013.
- The Bob & Eleanor Grant Trust — Provides scholarships for first-generation college students studying natural or environmental sciences or social science with an environmental focus. The Trust can provide scholarships of up to $15,000 per year that are renewable based upon satisfactory student progress. Deadline: April 1, 2013. Region Specific
- Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation — The Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation identifies and nurtures environmental leaders who have the ability and determination to make a significant impact, and supports initiatives that will have direct and measurable results to improve environmental quality. To accomplish our mission and carry out our vision, the Foundation awards academic fellowships and project grants, supporting a continuum of environmental leadership from graduate school through professional careers, and nurturing leaders who will be instrumental in driving environmental change. (note: only for those enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in California or New England). Applications due January 10, 2013.
- The Caroline Thorn Kissel Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship — To promote environmental studies by students who are residents of New Jersey or nonresidents studying in New Jersey or its surrounding waters. Provides $2000 in financial assistance to one scholar annually for summer environmental study selected by the applicant. (The award amount was increased from $1500 in 2007.) Open to college students, graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, or non-degree-seeking applicants above the high school level. Applicants must be US citizens and either residents of New Jersey studying in New Jersey or elsewhere, or nonresidents pursuing study in New Jersey or its surrounding waters. Application due by Feb. 10, 2013.
