INSTAAR grad student scholarships
Special funding opportunities provide support for INSTAAR graduate students either annually or during summer research. Those from backgrounds underrepresented in their fields of study are especially encouraged to apply.
Sarah Crump Graduate Fellowship
Thanks to the efforts of Sarah's family and 1600+ generous donors, we created an endowment that supports a CU Boulder grad student every summer in their study of Earth or environmental science in Arctic, Antarctic, or alpine regions. Our next funding goal is to extend summer support into the school year.
The fellowship currently provides a ~50% GRA salary for the three summer months. The application deadline is typically in February.
George Aiken Graduate Fellowship
CU Boulder grad students can apply for up to $3,000 in funding in support of collaborative water-related research.
George Aiken advanced our understanding of aquatic ecosystems during a long, collaborative and impact-focused career as an organic geochemist with the U.S. Geological Survey. Funding can be applied to tuition, salary, and research expenses (not including equipment). The application deadline is typically in December.
Martha and John Andrews INSTAAR Graduate Scholarship
Their scholarship supports the next generation of INSTAAR grad students working to understand and address the impacts of climate change.
Martha and John Andrews, a pioneering research librarian and geoscience professor, respectively, helped build INSTAAR into the institute it is today. The application deadline is TBA, but will likely open for the first time in January 2026.
INSTAAR Summer Scholarships for grad students
The application deadline is typically in March.
INSTAAR graduate students are invited to apply for INSTAAR Summer Scholarships. These awards are intended to support the scientific research of INSTAAR graduate students who enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within INSTAAR. Each scholarship recipient will be awarded compensation in the form of a research stipend, equivalent to a ~50% RA position for three summer months.
As INSTAAR is dedicated to broadening support in the Earth sciences, we particularly encourage applications from individuals who are members of communities that are historically marginalized in the Earth sciences; including students who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hispanic or Latinx. We also encourage applications from students who can show dedicated engagement with Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion principles. Preference will be given to applicants who plan to continue their research at INSTAAR for at least one academic year following the scholarship award.