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Geosciences student awards and grants

Skidmore’s Geosciences Department offers competitive grants and faculty-nominated awards that support independent research, senior projects, and academic growth. Whether you're planning graduate study or pursuing fieldwork close to home, these opportunities are designed to help you go further.

Roy T. Abbott III Memorial Prize in Geosciences

The Roy T. Abbott III Memorial Prize in Geosciences will be awarded to that student in the senior class whose major is geoscience; who, in the judgment of the faculty of the Geosciences Department, has demonstrated the most enthusiasm and improvement in the undergraduate program; and preferably, a student who has been admitted to a graduate school for further study in the field. 

 

Mente et Malleo Research Award

This grant supports senior geoscience majors who want to dive into independent, hands-on research during their final year.

Funded by an endowment created by three members of the Class of 1974 — Patricia Armstrong, Margaret Bloomer, and William McKendree — the grant honors their families and their shared commitment to student discovery.

Each year, the award provides a stipend to help cover research expenses. Funding amounts vary based on your proposed budget and the available income from the endowment. Recipients receive their grant at the start of the fall semester and are recognized at Honors Convocation in the spring.

Eligibility

Seniors majoring in geoscience or following a double major or a self-determined major including geoscience, are eligible for the grant. All students are equally eligible for the grant without regard to personal financial need.

How to apply

To be considered, an applicant must submit a formal GE 371 Independent Study proposal, complete with a proposed budget, for data-based research to be completed during the senior year to the chair of the Department of Geosciences by April 15 of the junior year. A committee, composed of all teaching faculty of the Department of Geosciences and one junior student (majoring in geoscience) who is elected by all undergraduate geoscience majors, will select the student to receive the award by May 1. The grant will not be made in any year when the committee fails to receive an acceptable proposal from a qualified candidate by the April 15 deadline.

The committee shall award the Mente et Malleo Research Grant on the basis of the following criteria:

  1. The relevance of the proposed research to the student's field of interest in the geosciences and the overall quality of the research.

  2. The applicant's ability to conduct the proposed research and communicate the results of that work.

  3. The appropriateness of the proposed research budget.

The chair of the Department of Geosciences may modify the conditions of the grant, eligibility provisions, and procedures for applying, as may be required by changes in the College schedule or organization.

 

See-Beyond Awards

SEE-Beyond Awards offer $6,000 to support students pursuing summer research, internships, or creative projects that connect classroom learning with real-world goals.

Learn more 

 

Summer Experience Fund

Geosciences students at Skidmore can apply for the Summer Experience Fund (SEF) and receive up to $4,500 to support unpaid or low-paid summer opportunities that connect with their academic work. Whether you're mapping in the field, assisting with climate research, or interning at a conservation agency, SEF can help make it happen.

Learn more 

 

Student Opportunity Funds

Skidmore College offers several opportunities for students to receive grants in support of research, creative projects, and travel to present at conferences or juried exhibitions. Due dates are in October, February, and March.

Learn more

 

Student travel to present funding

Apply early while funds are available, and at least three weeks prior to traveling.

Learn more

 

Faculty-Student Summer Research

Skidmore's Summer Faculty-Student Research Program provides students with a unique opportunity to work with faculty on original research in disciplines ranging from biology to management and business, including English, physics, dance, and economics.

Learn more

 

 

Geosciences Contact

Office

Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences (CIS) 280A
518-580-5948

Chair

Jennifer T. Cholnoky
Geosciences Senior Lecturer
jcholnok@skidmore.edu
CIS 280A

Administrative Assistant

Alyssa B. Meyers
ameyers1@skidmore.edu