Geoscience IDEA Scholarship

The Geoscience Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Accessibility (IDEA) Scholarship program encourages women from under-served communities to pursue an education and career in the Geosciences, or Earth Sciences. Many research studies show the Geosciences are the least diverse community in all STEM fields. This Scholarship aims to counteract this and enhance diversity within the future Geoscience workforce.

NOTE: Geoscience, herein, is defined as- the academic or educational study of Geology, Geophysics, Geodynamics, Geochemistry, Geobiology, Geoarchaeology, Geoinformatics, Geomorphology, Historical Geology, Hydrogeology, Economic/Mining Geology and Energy Resources, Engineering Geology, Environmental Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Planetary Geology, Petrology, Structural Geology/Seismology, Stratigraphy, Soil and Soil Development Processes, Volcanology, or Geoscience Education/Educator. Other areas of study may include Oceanography, Meteorology, and/or Climatology.

The scholarship provides up to $5000 (USD) in awards, annually, typically split between two or more undergraduate students, and matches them with AWG mentors to enhance their careers. It also includes a one-year, sponsored, AWG student membership. Students will have the opportunity to develop close relationships with their mentors, contacting them to discuss ideas, obtain advice or guidance for a variety of Geoscience career paths. Any applicant may request an AWG mentor, even if she is not awarded the scholarship. Applicants who are not selected for the award may still be selected to receive a one-year sponsored AWG student membership.

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must:

1) Be a female, or female-identifying person, who is an undergraduate-level student or a high school senior entering college.

2) Identify in one or more historically marginalized or underserved communities, including but not limited to: Black/African-American, Indigenous/Native-America, Latin/Hispanic, Asian/Asian-American, LGBTQIA+, or living with disabilities.

3) Be enrolled in an accredited, post-secondary, or higher education institution in the United States.

4) Have declared Geoscience or Earth Science as a major of study. (NOTE: This scholarship does not support students in STEM programs outside of the Geosciences. Please see the description above for more information on qualifying majors.)

High school seniors: If you are selected as a scholarship recipient, the funds will not be released until the Scholarship Committee receives proof of your enrollment at your chosen accredited institution. This may be in the form of a letter from an academic advisor, a registered course schedule, or other form of proof from the Institution.

Past applicants and recipients of this Geoscience Scholarship may reapply for support during each of their educational years. The continued need for support and an update on academic progress, as a result of receiving this Scholarship from the prior year must be addressed in the application. Preference is not given to those who submit a new application.