Geoscience IDEA Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Association for Women Geoscientists

Overview
The Geoscience Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Accessibility (IDEA) Scholarship supports women from historically underserved or marginalized backgrounds who are pursuing undergraduate studies and careers in the Earth Sciences/Geosciences. Research consistently shows that geoscience fields are among the least diverse within STEM; this scholarship seeks to help change that and increase representation in the future geoscience workforce.

What we mean by “Geoscience”
For the purposes of this scholarship, “Geoscience” refers to academic programs and study in areas such as: Geology, Geochemistry, Geodynamics, Geophysics, Economic/Mining Geology and Energy Resources, Engineering Geology, Environmental Geology, Geoarchaeology, Geobiology, Geoscience Education, Geoinformatics, Historical Geology, Hydrogeology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Planetary Geology, Petrology, Quaternary Geology/Geomorphology, Structural Geology/Seismology, Stratigraphy, Soil and soil development processes, and Volcanology. Studies in related fields such as Oceanography, Meteorology, or Climatology may also qualify.

Awards
- Three upper-division undergraduate awards of $2,500 each.
- One lower-division undergraduate award of $500.
- Each award includes a one-year, sponsored AWG student membership.
- If desired, recipients can be paired with AWG mentors for career guidance and professional development.

Applicants who are not chosen for a monetary award may still be offered a one-year sponsored AWG student membership and may request mentor matching.

Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be women who will be enrolled as undergraduate students in the upcoming academic year.
- Identify with one or more historically marginalized or underserved communities (examples include, but are not limited to: Asian/Asian-American/Pacific Islander, Black/African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, or Latin/Hispanic).
- Be enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university.
- Have declared Geoscience or Earth Science as their major. (This scholarship does not fund majors outside the Earth Sciences—see the Geoscience definition above.)

Special notes:
- High school seniors selected for the award will have funds held until the committee receives proof of enrollment at their accredited institution (e.g., a letter from an academic advisor, an official/registered course schedule, or similar documentation).
- Previous applicants may reapply in each eligible academic year. Prior recipients who apply again must explain continued financial need and provide an update on academic progress. There is no preferential treatment for past applicants or awardees.

Application requirements and deadline
All application materials must be submitted by June 30 of the award year. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Required items:
1. A completed and signed online Geoscience IDEA Scholarship application.
2. Transcript(s) from your current institution (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
3. Two letters of recommendation from faculty or staff at the institution you are attending when you apply. These may include a high school counselor, primary advisor, academic advisor, a geoscience or earth science instructor, or a general science instructor. Give recommenders sufficient time to submit their letters by the deadline.
4. If you are entering as a freshman and your college does not allow you to declare a major until later, submit a letter signed by your academic advisor confirming your intention to pursue a geoscience/earth science major.

Renewal applications
Renewal applicants must submit the same materials listed above and include updates on academic progress in their geoscience major. Continued funding depends on demonstrated academic progress and financial need and is decided case-by-case.

Notification and award distribution
Applicants selected for awards will be notified in August. Payments will be issued in early fall to align with the start of the academic year.

Responsibility and contact
Applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials arrive by the deadline. Questions may be directed via email to IDEAscholarship@awg.org.