External Scholarships
Below are scholarships offered by institutions not affiliated with the University of Montana. Each has its own separate application procedures and requirements. Please click on the Application Information link below each for details on how to apply.
MWPA Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 (Fall Award)
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Montana Wood Products Association (MWPA) Foundation Forest Management Scholarship shall provide financial awards of no less than $1,000 to Montana students or students enrolled in Montana educational institutions, who are pursuing degrees related to logging, engineering, forest management, forest products manufacturing, or closely related curriculums. Preference shall be given to students pursuing careers in active forest management and careers in the forest products industry.
Montana Tree Farm Mary Naegeli Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Applicants: Undergraduate
Description:
This is a scholarship offered to one student annually. This year the scholarship is for $1000.
Applicants must be a resident of Montana enrolled (for the first time) or attending any accredited institution of higher education, on a full time basis, have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above, and must demonstrate an interest in forestry. Applicants must have a Tree Farmer or a Tree Farm Inspector as a reference. If the applicant is not acquainted with a Tree Farmer or Inspector, contact Cindy Peterson at 406-243-4706 or cindy.peterson@umontana.edu to get you connected.
Pacific Forest Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Pacific Forest Foundation (PFF) scholarship program is offered to students who are studying in forestry related areas. The PFF plans to awards 5 to 10 scholarships annually; scholarships ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 each. The scholarship is available to help supplement costs of tuition and books. The scholarship will be sent directly to the recipient's school and deposited into the student's account.
Applicants must be studying in the following areas:
- Forest Engineering
- Forest Management
- Forest Operations Management
- Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Welding
- Resource Management
- Diesel Mechanics
- Other forest /timber industry related areas of study
IWLA National Conservation Scholarship
Deadline: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (postmarked)
Applicants: Undergraduate
Description:
The Izaak Walton League of America National Conservation Scholarship program was established in 2005 to promote conservation leadership among future natural resource managers and professionals.
This scholarship supports rising junior and senior college undergraduates from recognized conservation or environment-related degree programs. These degree programs may include (but are not limited to) environmental science, natural resource management, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, parks and recreation, range management, and other related sciences such as ecology, biology (conservation/ field/ marine), geology, hydrology, and zoology.
George Grant Trout Unlimited Upperclassman Scholarship
Deadline: Friday, May 31, 2024
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The George Grant chapter of Trout Unlimited (headquartered in Butte) has made available a scholarship fund for MT University System students majoring in Fisheries Biology, Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Ecology or similar related fields. The chapter has budgeted $10,000 annually, which it intends to use to fund 2 scholarships of $5,000 each to a student who has junior senior status or a Master's student during the scholarship term . The chapter will give preference to students who intend to remain in-state after graduation.
Extremeterrain Student Scholarship
Deadline: Saturday, June 15, 2024 (Fall Award)
Applicants: Undergraduate
Description:
ExtremeTerrain is offering a $3,000 scholarship for spring semester to eligible students pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Research, Land Use, Earth and Atmosphere Studies, Sustainable Land Management, Parks and Recreation, Sustainable Agriculture Systems, or other related majors.
The goal of the ExtremeTerrain Scholarship program is to raise more awareness for the recreational use of public lands as it is an important issue to us at ExtremeTerrain and our customers. At the same time we support youth who are working towards a career in the environmental/recreational land use planning/land management industry, which in larger supports the movement to maintain recreational access to public lands.
Students should submit a 700 – 1500 word essay to scholarships@extremeterrain.com that describes who you are, why you feel it is important to maintain access to public lands for recreational use and how you plan to use your degree to advocate for the recreational use of public lands.
Loren Kreck - Edwin Fields Wilderness Scholarship
Deadline: Sunday, June 30, 2024
Applicants: Graduate
Description:
The North Fork Preservation Association(NFPA) is pleased to offer the Kreck/Fields Wilderness Scholarship to a graduate student at a Montana institution of higher education. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who is using their education to advocate and promote wilderness protection and preservation. This advocacy and promotion can be in the areas of public policy, literature, journalism or the arts. Specific fields of study can be but are not limited to wildlife biology, ecology, environmental studies, environmental law, journalism or the expressive arts.
The value of the scholarship is $2000, awarded annually. The distribution will go directly to the educational institution for tuition, fees, the acquisition of information technology or assigned books, journals and reports.
Richard I. Gibson TRGS Travel Fund
Deadline: Monday, July 1, 2024
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The purpose of the Richard I. Gibson TRGS travel fund is to provide support for travel expenses to attend the TRGS (Tobacco Root Geological Society) summer field conference. "Travel expenses” means things like lodging, airfare, vehicle rental, or gasoline for personal vehicles. The recipient must attend substantially all of a TRGS meeting, i.e. typically a Friday-Saturday-Sunday.
The awards will go to undergrad and graduate students in geosciences, as well as to young professionals (to age 30 at the time of the award) including those in academia and other earth science professions. The award money available to applicants each year is $1,000. The maximum award is $500 per applicant, and up to $1,000 may be awarded each year. Payments will be made after the conference. Applications are due on July 1 of each year.
Laura Bassi Scholarship
Deadline: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 (Summer Award)
Applicants: Graduate
Description:
The Laura Bassi Scholarship, which awards a total of $8,000 thrice per annum, was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline.
All currently enrolled Master’s and Doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of their employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV.
DJ&A Diversity Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in December.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
DJ&A is committed to supporting the academic success of our country’s future engineers, surveyors, GIS professionals, landscape architects, and environmental scientists, especially women and minority-status students who continue to be underrepresented in the industry.
DJ&A will award scholarships from $1,000 to $5,000 in support of education costs for qualified women and minority-status students who are pursuing or intend to pursue an undergraduate degree in their firm’s areas of practice, including engineering, surveying, GIS, landscape architecture, and environmental sciences.
Richard A. Herbert Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in April.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
In 1980, AWRA established the Endowment-Memorial Fund to be used for the enhancement of education in water resources. The fund has since been renamed the Richard A. Herbert Memorial Educational Fund to honor Richard A. Herbert - a champion for water resources education - who passed away in 1994. In order to carry out his vision, AWRA is proud to announce the availability of scholarships derived from the proceeds of this fund.
At least one $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a full-time undergraduate student working toward his/her first undergraduate degree, and at least one $2,000 scholarship will also be awarded to a full-time graduate student enrolled in a program relating to water resources. Applicants must be an AWRA member and must be enrolled full-time
MFMA Academic Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in April.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) offers five scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each for secondary, advanced, or trade school education. Applicants will be considered based on academic achievement, field of study, and written essay responses.
Applicants must be accepted into one of the following fields of study: Architecture, Forest Management, Forest Products Technology, Forest Science, Forestry Studies, Wood Science & Engineering, Wood Science & Technology, other fields related to wood technology, or studying a trade that translates to the wood flooring industry.
Hertz Foundation Fellowship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in August.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Hertz Foundation is dedicated to advancing groundbreaking applied science with real-world benefits for all humanity. The foundation is now accepting applications for its 2020–2021 fellowship. College seniors and first-year graduates receive preference, and applicants must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Eligible applicants for Hertz Fellowships must be students of the applied physical and biological sciences, mathematics and engineering.
Hertz Fellowships offer students:
- Full tuition equivalent for up to five years
- $34,000 per academic year stipend
- Additional stipend if coordinated with other major fellowships
- $5,000 annual dependent childcare stipend
- Over 40 currently participating U.S. research universities
- Programs and networking offered as part of a lifelong Hertz Community
Forrest Research Foundation PHD Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in September.
Applicants: Graduate
Description:
The Forrest Research Foundation is offering up to 9 four year PhD scholarships to outstanding researchers from around the world to conduct paradigm-shifting research at any of Western Australia’s five universities. These generous scholarships, which are open to candidates of any nationality, working in any subject area, provide for all tuition fees, and a stipend and accommodation package valued at over AU$50,000 per annum which includes a luxury self-contained studio apartment in Forrest Hall.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in December 2019, and PhD scholarships must be commenced between January and August 2020.
National Forest Foundation Conservation Connect Fellowship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in September.
Applicants: Graduate
Description:
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) invites masters or doctoral students to apply to the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program.
NFF Fellowships aim to build experience, knowledge and skills within the next generation of collaborative and conservation leaders to support each other and advance the field. We are striving to build a cohort of emerging leaders, connecting graduate students who will go on to do important work with communities and public lands in the future!
Benefits of the Conservation Connect Fellowship:
- Match the knowledge you are acquiring through your academic work with practical, hands-on experience
- Expand your personal and professional network
- Contribute directly to collaborative stewardship of our National Forests
Muir Way Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in September.
Applicants: Undergraduate
Description:
This scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing higher education and careers related to environmental conservation. Any two or four-year undergraduate student who has non-profit or volunteering experience and is pursuing environmental science or a major related to environmental conservation may apply for this scholarship, but those pursuing cartography or GIS are preferred.
Forests Journal Travel Awards
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in October.
Applicants: Graduate
Description:
Two awards will be granted, one for postdocs and one for PhD students. The awards will consist of CHF 800 (or USD 850, EUR 700) each and are intended to support travel to present research at a forestry-related conference. The awards will be granted by the end of February.
- The candidate must be enrolled as a full-time PhD student or a post-doctoral researcher (10 years or less since being awarded the PhD).
- The candidate must be registered to participate (via oral or poster presentation) at an international forestry conference/congress (e.g., IUFRO, Soil Science Society of America, Society of American Foresters).
Frances M. Peacock Scholarship for Native Bird Habitat
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in October.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Frances M. Peacock Scholarship for Native Bird Habitat provides financial aid to study areas in the United States that provide seasonal habitat for threatened or endangered native birds and to tend useful information for land-management decisions.
The Award, established in 1994 under the estate of Frances M. Peacock of Barrington, Illinois, former GCA Director and member of the Garden Club of Barrington, will be given annually by the Garden Club of America and administered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The scholarship will fund one or more recipients up to $4,500. The scholarship, open to college seniors and graduate students only (second-semester juniors may apply for their senior year in college, will be paid directly to the awardee.
Boyd Evison Graduate Fellowship for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in November.
Applicants: Graduate
Description:
The Grand Teton Association (GTA) offers a fellowship of up to $10,000/project for graduate studies focused on documenting lesser-known aspects of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, and surrounding lands. Projects that cover multiple parks or cross jurisdictions are encouraged. The fellowship especially seeks to advance studies of ecosystem elements such as air and water; geologic elements and processes; plants, insects, reptiles, amphibians, fungi; and social science related to public understanding of natural resources use or management. Projects may extend over several seasons, and must comply with appropriate agency regulations and permits.
Wally McClure Student Fisheries Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in November.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society will soon be presenting two Wally McClure Student Fisheries Scholarships. The McClure Scholarships will be awarded to individuals pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree in aquatic natural resources from a Montana university or college. The graduate award is $1,250 and the undergraduate is $500. Awards will be presented at the annual meeting of the MCAFS.
Byron Weber Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in December.
Applicants: Undergraduate
Description:
Byron is remembered for his passion for living things. This passion fueled his entire life. He made learning about our natural environment accessible and meaningful. Encouraging all ages to explore, respect and preserve the splendid natural world around us was how Byron lived and worked. It is in this spirit that the Byron Weber Memorial Scholarship will be awarded by Bitterroot Audubon. The scholarship committee will decide on a qualified candidate after all applications have been submitted and all eligibility requirements have been met.
- Currently attending a Montana College/University (4 year degree program)
- At least a sophomore status
- Majoring in a Natural Resource field
- Good academic standing
- Bitterroot Valley resident desired
Jeannette Rankin Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in December.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
Each year the Jeannette Rankin Foundation in Athens, GA awards scholarships to low-income women, ages 35 and older, who are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents pursuing an undergraduate education at an accredited college or university in the US. The scholarships are for $2,000 each and may be used for tuition, books, transportation, childcare and other living expenses and will be disbursed over two school terms, starting in Fall. Selection is competitive, which means that meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that you will receive a scholarship.
The John Mabry and Paul Webster Undergraduate Forestry Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in December.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Railway Tie Association is pleased to offer The John Mabry Forestry Scholarships: two annual scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each. These scholarships are available to juniors or seniors enrolled in an accredited forestry program for the full school year (not graduating mid-term). Applications will be reviewed with emphasis placed on the following criteria:
- Leadership qualities
- Career objectives
- Scholastic achievement
- Financial need
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in December.
Applicants: Undergraduate
Description:
If you're thinking about studying abroad in the future, the Gilman Scholarship can be a great way to finance your experience. The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship awards up to $5,000 in funding to assist underrepresented students, including first generation students, to overcome this barrier.
The Gilman Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and is assisted in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The Gilman Program provides grants for undergraduate U.S. citizens of limited financial means to study and intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.
Donald G. Willems Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in December.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Montana Section of the American Water Works Association (MSAWWA) and the Montana Association of the Water Environment Federation (MWEA) are equal partners in offering the Donald G. Willems Scholarship. One or two scholarships are offered annually to students whose course work leads to employment in the water and wastewater fields, which are highly diverse, including specialization in water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and collection, water resources, watershed protection, groundwater remediation, and many other subdisciplines, including for example, the study of waterborne disease.
Each award includes a scholarship of $1500 to be used toward the cost of education, such as tuition, books, and supplies. Recipients also receive a one-year student membership to either AWWA or WEF (recipient’s choice), and also paid registration and lodging for the MSAWWA/MWEA Joint Conference.
ILC Future Logging Workforce Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in December.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The ILC Future Logging Workforce Scholarship is being presented at the 2024 ILC to encourage and reward students who are looking to further their education in the timber industry. The scholarship is open to students enrolled in a forestry-related program in Washington, Idaho, Montana or Oregon pursuing future careers in logging, forest products, and the many trades we rely on to support the logging workforce.
The $1,500 scholarship will be presented on behalf of the Intermountain Logging Conference. In order to be selected and receive the award, the applicant must attend the ILC to receive the award in person as part of the program at lunchtime on Thursday, April 4th, 2024.
WHA Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in December.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Western Hardwood Association (WHA) Scholarship award reflects the association's commitment to provide financial assistance to students pursuing a career in the western hardwood and affiliated industries. The awards will consist of at least 2 scholarships for up to $2,500 each. Additional scholarships could be awarded depending on the quality of the submissions.
Eligibility:
- a citizen or permanent legal resident of the US, Canada or Mexico
- enrolled full-time in undergraduate or graduate study for the current spring semester
- enrolled in one of the following academic majors: Forestry, Renewable Materials, Wood Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Product Design
George Lea Founder's Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in December.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
This scholarship is being offered by the Public Lands Foundation, a national non-profit membership organization that advocates and works for the retention of America’s Public Lands in the public’s hands. Two scholarships will be awarded.
Scholarship Criteria:
- Junior, senior or Master's-level graduate student
- Majoring in a natural resource or public land policy curriculum
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Full-time student (minimum 12 units per semester - except grad students)
- Applicants will also be rated based on financial need, related volunteer, professional society participation, employment, etc.
Eugene Maughan Graduate Student Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in January.
Applicants: Graduate
Description:
The Eugene Maughan Graduate Student Scholarship fund provides up to $5,000 annually to masters or doctoral students in the general area of fisheries science with one to three awards to individual students. An award committee of five fisheries scientists from the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society (WDAFS) will make the decision regarding the award of scholarships. Selection criteria include demonstration of:
- Excellent scholarship as evidenced by course work during graduate studies.
- Potential for future contributions to the fisheries profession through management, research, or teaching.
- Significant progress toward attaining a graduate degree in fisheries science with a defined thesis or dissertation project.
Montana Space Grant Consortium Scholarship & Fellowships
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in January.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The Montana Space Grant Consortium offers undergraduate scholarships to students enrolled in fields of study relevant to NASA's mission. These fields include (but are not necessarily limited to): the Biological and Life Sciences, Chemistry, Geological and Planetary Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Sciences, and Civil Engineering.
The Montana Space Grant Consortium also offers graduate fellowships of $9,000 plus in-state tuition and fees for one semester. Awards are made on a competitive basis to graduate students working on research projects in fields of study relevant to NASA's mission.
National Wood Flooring Association Education & Research Foundation Wood Studies Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in January.
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
The National Wood Flooring Association Education & Research Foundation Wood Studies Scholarship is designed to promote the post-secondary study of forestry and related forestry sciences. Trees are a natural resource providing the raw materials that support the livelihood of those employed in the forestry industry, including members of the NWFA. This nonrenewable scholarship will be awarded to a current college student enrolled full-time in a forestry, environmental science, or natural resources program in an effort to advance and improve forestry practices for generations to come.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wildlife Leadership Awards
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in January.
Applicants: Undergraduate
Description:
The mission of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. Included in the hunting heritage part of this mission is supporting the education and development of professionals grounded in the North American Model of Wildlife Management.
The RMEF’s Wildlife Leadership Awards (WLA) scholarship program was established in 1991 to "recognize, encourage and promote leadership among future wildlife management professionals." The awards are presented to undergraduate wildlife students, and currently carry a $5,000 scholarship and a one-year membership to RMEF.
Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in January.
Applicants: Graduate
Description:
The Wilderness Society, a leading conservation organization, offers an annual scholarship, available to qualified graduate students. Awards of $25,000 are given to two graduate students to support their research and preparation of a paper on an aspect of wilderness. T. A. Barron created the Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship in honor of his mother, Gloria Barron, a dedicated educator and tireless advocate for wilderness protection.
The scholarship is open to applicants from any graduate discipline, including sciences, law, social sciences, etc. Applicants for the Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship must:
- be currently enrolled in an accredited graduate institution in North America at the time of application;
- have strong academic qualifications;
- and have academic and/or career goals focused on making a significant positive difference in the long-term protection of wilderness in the United States.
Glacier National Park Conservancy – Jerry O'Neal Research Fellowship
Deadline: Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back in January.
Applicants: Graduate
Applicants: Graduate / Undergraduate
Description:
Applications are now being accepted for the Glacier National Park Conservancy - Jerry O'Neal Research Fellowship for work in Glacier National Park, Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS, and Little Bighorn Battlefield NM. The fellowship aims to provide educational assistance for students seeking to understand natural and cultural resources issues and how these interact with human values. Special consideration will be given to proposals that address the following:
- Natural resource issues such as aquatic ecology, terrestrial ecology, fire ecology, invasive plants, and climate change
- Cultural resource issues, such as history and architectural studies, cultural landscape reports, ethnographic research and archeology
- Social science that informs resource management about a natural or cultural topic and/or that addresses visitor impacts to park resources
Competition is open to graduate students or superior upper division undergraduate students at RM-CESU universities and colleges only. Awards range from $1000-$5000.
Other Scholarship/Fellowship Resources
Visit the following pages for other opportunities for graduate students:
- UM's Financial Aid web site
- The Fellowship Database hosted by University of Illinois
- The College Scholarships Database hosted by Open Education Database
A potential opportunity for undergraduate students offered by the online shopping discount site Chameleon John (not endorsed by the University of Montana)