Climate change is a reality. If left unchecked, it will drastically alter what our world looks like. Disasters like famine, drought, and violent hurricanes are becoming more frequent, threatening entire communities and the generations of the future. To fight back, research, innovation, and solutions in a wide variety of environmental fields is required, such as sustainable farming, alternative fuel sources, conservation, and human health. Here are ten climate change scholarships for people committed to taking action:
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – IPCC Scholarship Programme
The IPCC is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations focused on climate change research and solutions. The Scholarship Programme offers yearly scholarships for PhD students from developing countries who are researching climate change. Applicants must have been enrolled for at least one year or are conducting post-doctoral research.
Annie’s Homegrown – Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program
Every year, food brand Annie’s Homegrown awards $100,000 in scholarships to undergraduates and graduate students through the Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Program. To qualify, you must be studying organic and/or regenerative agriculture. According to the Fall 2019 semester application, undergrads must be enrolled in an accredited higher education institution in the US as a full-time student, while graduates must be enrolled for at least 9 credits. If awarded the scholarship, the student agrees to share what they’ve learned and project outcomes with Annie’s and the school community within one year of receiving the award.
Morris K. Udall Foundation – Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
The Morris K. Udall Foundation awards yearly scholarships and honorable mentions to college sophomores and juniors who show commitment to the environment and environment-related careers. Qualifying students with a history of environmental service and campus activities are encouraged to pursue this scholarship. Their school’s Udall faculty representative must give them access to the application.
Western Michigan University College of Arts and Sciences – Climate Change Research Graduate Scholarship
Established with funding from an anonymous donor, this scholarship is for graduate students participating in scholarly research related to climate change. To qualify, you must be a Masters or doctoral student at any College of Arts and Sciences graduate program, and working on a thesis, dissertation, or independent research project on human activities and impact on the environment related to climate change. Up to $2,000 may be requested for expenses such as conference travel, tuition and fees, and research or creative scholarship activity. Funds are applied to the students WMU account. If given an award, the student will be required to give a presentation on their research within 12 months.
Forrest Research Foundation – PHD Scholarships
The Forrest Research offers 4-year PhD scholarships to researchers around the world to conduct their studies at any Western Australian university. While not specifically for climate change, the program perimeters include climate change, since it is one of the world’s most serious problems. Past examples of research by scholarship awardees include animal conservation and using forgotten wheat varieties for food.
International Association of Wildland Fire – International Association of Wildland Fire Scholarship Program
More frequent and longer-lasting wildfires are a result of climate change. The International Association of Wildland Fire offers two scholarships: one for a graduate-level Master of Science student and the other for a PhD student studying wildland fire or related topics. The scholarships are $3,000 each. To apply, candidates must submit an essay to be evaluated by an international panel of fire science experts.
National Environmental Health Association – NEHA/AAS Scholarship
Climate change impacts human health on a global level. The NEHA with the American Academy of Sanitarians offers two scholarships: one for undergraduates and one for graduate students. Candidates must be pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university with a “dedicated and recognized” curriculum in environmental health sciences. Preference is given to applicants intending to pursue a career in environmental health.
Harvard University – Climate Change Solutions Fund
The Harvard University Climate Change Solutions Fund was established in 2014. Its intent is to support research and policy initiatives for a variety of climate-change related issues, such as the transition to renewable energy sources, reducing risks of climate change, and accelerating scientific, legal, and technological innovations. Recently, in the fifth round of grants, seven research projects shared $1 million. The fund is available to eligible Harvard faculty and students.
Afro-Asian Institute Salzburg – One World Scholarship
This partial scholarship is meant for students from developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America who came to Austria for their education. You must have admission to a masters or PhD programme at a university or university of applied sciences in Tyrol or Salzburg. Applicants are expected to have a strong interest in “development-related issues,” which includes ecological development.
Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources – Environmental Education Scholarship
This scholarship sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is for minority and underrepresented students getting their bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental studies or a related field. The $1000 renewable scholarship will be given to a current Missouri resident with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. They must also be enrolled full-time at an accredited post-secondary school in Missouri.
