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Next Horizons First-Generation Student Geoscience Scholarship

Scholarship Montage

This scholarship is a one-time $5,000 award, provided upon confirmation of active enrollment in a geoscience graduate program. It is designed to support first-generation college students who are within two semesters of completing their bachelor’s degree in geoscience and are taking their first steps toward graduate education. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The scholarship will be awarded based on the applicant’s academic merit, demonstrated potential for success in a geoscience graduate program, and commitment to pursuing a career in the geoscience profession.

Submission Deadline: 1 May 2025

Application Instructions

  • All materials must be submitted via email combined as a SINGLE PDF file.

  • Use the application word file

  • Complete all sections of the formal application for the scholarship, including:

    1. Name, program/department, expected graduation, and contact information.
    2. List AGI member societies to which you are a member, and include your membership identification number for each.
    3. A strict 500-word limit abstract about your research interests in graduate school, why you can accomplish that research and what impact it will have on the geoscience community.
    4. A strict 500-word limit essay of what you see as your path forward in the geoscience profession beyond graduate school
    5. A strict 250-word limit description of extracurricular activities and professional development experiences.
    6. Curriculum Vitae (not resume), including short descriptions of any geoscience, technology, academic, professional development or applicable extracurricular activities. Please do not include descriptions of courses or coursework.
    7. (Unofficial) Undergraduate Academic Transcript(s).

  • When you have all of your materials ready, email them as a single PDF attachment to: scholarships@americangeosciences.org with the subject line with your last name and the word Next Horizons - such as “Smith - Next Horizons”.

Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.

Your materials will be reviewed by a committee of expert geoscientists from the academic, government, non-profit, and industry sectors. They will review the applications for rigor, clarity, scientific content, current and potential contributions to the profession, and career potential.

The scholarship winner will be notified in June 2025. The scholarship funds are only payable once the awardee is actively enrolled into the graduate program and the scholarship coordinator receives confirmation from the department chair of awardees active enrollment.

If there are any questions regarding the AGI Next Horizons First-Generation Student Geoscience Scholarship or application procedures, please submit inquires to the scholarship coordinator Christopher Keane.