Scholarships & Fellowships Supporting Sustainability/Conservation/Energy Career Goals

Many different types of organizations, companies and agencies provide scholarship opportunities to support students in preparing for careers related to environmental sustainability, conservation and clean energy. Here are just a few examples. For support in applying, connect with the Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships, & Awards.

Brown and Caldwell Scholarships: Offers several different types of scholarships for students studying civil, chemical, mechanical, electrical or environmental engineering or one of the environmental sciences (e.g. geology, hydrogeology, ecology). Annual deadline: April.

Bullitt Environmental Fellowship: Two-year, $100,000 Fellowship open to graduate students attending school in British Columbia, Washington State, and Oregon who have overcome adversity, can demonstrate strong leadership potential, and are focused on work to safeguard the natural environment by promoting responsible human activities and sustainable communities in the Emerald Corridor, stretching from Vancouver, BC to Portland, OR, west of the Cascade mountains. Annual deadline: April.

Udall Scholarship: Open to sophomores and juniors committed to careers in the environment, tribal policy, or Native health care. Provides up to $7,000 scholarships and access to the Udall Alumni Network, an association of change-makers working in environmental fields and with Native communities, sharing ideas, professional advice and job and internship opportunities. Annual UW deadline: December.

RAY Diversity Fellowship: Supports two cohorts of Fellows per year: RAY Conservation Fellows and RAY Clean Energy Fellows. The RAY Fellowship Program aims to increase and facilitate conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy-related career pathways for emerging leaders of color. Graduating seniors and recent bachelor’s alums are eligible. Annual deadline: June.

National Wildlife Federation Graduate Student Fellows: Awarded to graduate students working with NWF staff on research that helps to expand the content and development of a variety of efforts across NWF’s Education and Engagement programs. Fellows join a national network of current and alumni fellows, many of whom have gone on to lead new businesses, agencies, and programs for sustainability across the U.S. Annual deadline: April.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hollings Scholarship: Provides $9,500/year for 2 years scholarship and 10-week, full-time, paid summer internships. Open to sophomores with declared majors in a discipline including, but not limited to: oceanic, environmental, biological, and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, computer and information science, physical and social sciences including geography, physics, hydrology, geomatics, or teacher education that support NOAA’s programs and mission. Annual deadline: January.

Goldwater Scholarship Program: Provides scholarships and a robust scholar/alumni network to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. Annual UW deadline: November.

Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program (SCGSR): Provides supplemental funds for graduate awardees to conduct part of their thesis research at a host DOE laboratory/facility in collaboration with a DOE laboratory scientist. Annual deadline: May. See other Department of Energy scholarships and internships.

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP): Provides up to three years of funding for research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in a wide variety of social science fields, STEM fields, and STEM education, with the goal of ensuring the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the US. Annual deadline: October.

Hertz Foundation Fellowship: Open to college seniors, first-year graduate students, or those in a gap year preparing to apply to graduate school who intend to pursue a PhD in the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics, or engineering, and who intend to direct their studies toward understanding and solving major, near-term problems facing society. Annual deadline: October.