Fellowships and Prizes

Recent EPC Winners of Major Scholarships and Fellowships

  • Elizabeth Miller, Udall Scholarship, 2011-12, Honorable Mention
  • Rachel Smith, Fulbright Scholarship, 2010-11
  • Emily Wright, Udall Scholarship, 2010-11
  • Elizabeth Meryl Summers, Fulbright Scholarship, 2009-10
  • Sam McAleese, Northwestern Circumnavigator Grant, 2009
  • Sam Schiller, Udall Scholarship, 2008-09

 

The H. Paul Friesema Award for Environmental Leadership and Academic Achievement

 

The H. Paul Friesema Award is given to a student in the Environmental Policy and Culture Program who has demonstrated exceptional environmental leadership and academic achievement. The Award carries a small financial prize and is presented at the EPC End of the Year Reception in June.

Winners:

                    2009 Jesse Sleamaker

                    2010 Ren Chung Yu

                    2011 Dylan Lewis and Emily Wright

 

The Environmental Policy and Culture Program Certificate of Honor

The Environmental Policy and Culture Program Certificate of Honor is presented in recognition of dedicated environmental citizenship and

service at Northwestern University. The Certificate is presented at the

EPC End of the Year Reception in June.

Winners:

                   2010 Sam Eckland and Elisa Redish

                   2011 Emmaline Pohnl

 

Fellowships

Fellowships for students with a strong background on environmental issues include:

The Morris K. Udall Scholarship is a $5,000 award for tuition, fees, books, room and board, and other approved expenses.  Sophomores and juniors who have a demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment or for Native American or Alask Native students who have a demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy or Native health care are eligible.  Next deadline is in February 2012.

The Hollings Scholarship provides up to $8,000 towards undergraduate tuition for one year (renewable for a second) for sophomores majoring in fields relevant to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  It also includes a 10-week internship at a NOAA facility after junior year and conference travel.  Next deadline is in February 2012.

The Woods Hole Summer Student Fellowship is a 10-week research internship for juniors and seniors at $450/week at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.  Competitive applicants will have an interest in ocean sciences, oceanographic engineering, math, or marine policy.  There are also Woods Hole Minority Fellowships.  Next deadline is in February 2012.

The NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Program (REU) supports research participation by undergraduates in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation.  REU projects involve students in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program.  They usually include 8-10 weeks of full-time research, a $3,500 stipend, and coverage of housing and travel.

The Undergraduate Research Grant (URG) fund, owned by the Office of the Provost at Northwestern, sponsors independent academic and creative work in all fields of study.  Under faculty supervision, URG winners immerse themselves in novel scholarly projects in the laboratory, the library, or the studio, on campus and around the world.  There are Academic Year URGs, which cover research expenses up to $1000 during the school year, and Summer URGs, which provide an unrestricted $3000 to cover research living expenses for full time summer projects.  Academic Year URG deadline is in February 2012 ; Summer URG deadline is in March 2012.  

The Circumnavigators Travel-Study Grant, jointly funded by NU and the Circumnavigators Club Foundation, offers a $9,000 award to travel to at least five countries (excepting U.S. and Canada) on at least three continents.  During the trip, the winner will study a topic of his or her choosing.  EPC Sam McAleese was the 2009 winner, he studied conservation efforts in national parks around the world.  Deadline is in early December 2011.

The Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences offers summer and academic year undergraduate research funding in all fields for students whose proposals are not accepted for URGs.  Please note that only Weinberg students (not students at other NU schools who also have a Weinberg major) are eligible. 

Applications for academic year grants are processed on a rolling basis, and summer applications are due by the Wednesday of spring quarter reading week.

The Lane Environmental Studies Grant is a special research grant sponsored by Weinberg that provides funding for research on environmental issues.  A prior application for a URG is NOT required.

The NU Public Interest Program is a one-year fellowship experience that introduces graduates to organizations whose missions are to create sustainable social change. For 10-12 months, NUPIP fellows work in Chicago non-profit organizations that address issues such as the environment and community and economic development. 

The Fulbright Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. State Department, is the largest U.S. international exchange program, offering opportunities for students to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools.  Prospective applicants should file a registration form with the Office of Fellowships as soon as they have formed their plans. Completed Fulbright applications have an early NU internal deadline.

The Harry S Truman Foundation awards scholarships of up to $30,000 to juniors who are pursuing a bachelor's degree and plan to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in the public sector. There are many eligible programs of study, including conservation and environmental protection. Completed Truman applications have an early NU internal deadline.

The Beinecke Brothers Memorial Scholarship awards $4,000 upon completion of undergraduate studies and $30,000 annually for graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences.  Candidates must have a history of need-based financial aid, and preference is given to those for whom the awarding of a scholarship would increase the likelihood of being able to attend graduate school.  Completed Beinecke applications have an early NU internal deadline.

The Boren Scholarship funds study abroad trips for American students, those with interests in environmental issues are encouraged to apply! The Office of Fellowships offers application workshops and essay support for applicants.  Note: This scholarship may apply to our fall quarter study abroad program in China (more information about the program at: 847-467-6953 or see China: Environment and Development).

For more information about fellowships and deadlines, please visit the Office of Fellowships.

 

Prizes

The H. Paul Friesema Award for Environmental Leadership and Academic Achievement recognizes one EPC student every year. The prize is given in honor of Professor H. Paul Friesema, who was instrumental in creating the Environmental Policy and Culture Program in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences in 2005. Professor Friesema also served as its first Director from 2005 until 2008. Professor Friesema’s study of environmental policy, the struggles of native peoples, and the biological and cultural roles of national parks, and his commitment to undergraduate education at Northwestern have shaped the EPC program. Professor Friesema has taught generations of students about the sustainable use of natural resources and inspired them to appreciate the role of individuals, communities, and government in protecting the environment.

The prize carries a $250 monetary award and is given at the end of each academic year.

Grants

Environmental Leadership Program

The Environmental Leadership Program offers the Environmental Leadership Fellowships. Each year, a new class of 20-30 fellows is chosen to receive intensive training, institutional support, and mentoring for a three-year period. Fellows gain access to funding to pursue further skill training and develop new projects. Applicants must commit to participating in four retreats. ELP will provide $2,000 participation stipend, travel and accommodations for training retreats, as well as $1,000-$10,000 to support leadership-building activities and projects.
Citizenship: US
Deadline: TBD

Leopold Schepp Foundation

Awards are made based on character, academic ability, and financial need. The Foundation grants approximately 200 individual awards each year to both full time undergraduate students enrolled in four year bachelor programs and to full time graduate students. Applicants must either be currently enrolled or must have completed one year of undergraduate work at an accredited college or university.

Applications are accepted usually until January for awards in the following Fall.

National Geographic Young Explorers Grants (YEG)

YEG grants offer opportunities to individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 to pursue research, conservation and exploration-related projects consistent with National Geographic's existing grant programs, including: the Committee for Research and Exploration (CRE), the Expeditions Council (EC), and the Conservation Trust (CT).
Deadline: Rolling, but must apply at least 8 months before funds are needed.
Awards: Between $2,000 and $5,000.

October 24, 2011