Introduction

The following are summer funding resources, specifically for research, language study or unpaid work experiences, provided by a variety of organizations, foundation and government agencies. The alternative funding opportunities are categorized alphabetically. Please refer to specific websites for additional information concerning deadlines, qualifications and additional requirements. In addition, the specific websites stipulate the level of degree candidate sought. For example, some opportunities may appear geared towards all undergraduate work, but may in fact seek to fund first-year students exclusively.

In addition, the Columbia University Fellowships Office offers guidance and support for students seeking alternative funding at both Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The Fellowships Office is located at: 208 Hamilton Hall, Columbia University, 1130 Amsterdam Avenue, Mail Code 2805, New York, NY 10027. Students may also refer to the Fellowships Office website.

Alternative Funding Resources

Brown and Caldwell Scholarship: Dr. W. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr. Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes the contributions of Dr. Wesley Eckenfelder. Brown and Caldwell offers $3,000 scholarships for students pursuing careers in education and careers within the environmental sectors. All interest undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply, but students must be declared majors in civil, chemical or environmental engineering or one of the environmental sciences (e.g. geology, hydrogeology, biology, ecology, industrial hygiene toxicology) to qualify.

Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest

The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics is an annual competition designed to encourage deep and analytical thought among college students. Students are encouraged to write thought-provoking personal essays that raise questions, single out issues and are rational arguments for ethical action.

Everett Public Service Internships

Undergraduate and graduate students interested in working either the public or non-profit sector can apply to the Everett Public Service Internship Program. Students must work for one of 50 organizations pre-approved by Everett and are, in turn, supported by Everett for their work.

The Foundation for Sustainable Development

The Foundation for Sustainable Development is a website dedicated to dispersing relevant funding information to students interested in pursuing international internships and/or service trips with non-profits organizations.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund/General Motors Scholarship Program

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) and General Motors (GM) have partnered to provide financial resources to assist outstanding Latinos pursuing degrees in Engineering and Business. The award amount is $2,500.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund/JP Morgan Chase Scholarship Program

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund and JP Morgan Chase have partnered to provide scholarship opportunities to Hispanic students nationwide who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in business administration, finance, or economics. The scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis to full-time degree-seeking students. The award amount is $2,500.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Wells Fargo Scholarship Program

The HSF/Wells Fargo Scholarship is designed for college students who are interested in financial and banking institution based careers. It aims at making a positive impact on students' education through scholarship support and career preparedness via internship opportunities. Applicants are required to submit a resume along with their application. The annual scholarship award is $2,500 and full-time enrollment verification is required before fund disbursement.

Leonard M. Rieser Research Fellowship

The Leonard M. Rieser Fellowship will annually provide one-time awards of $2,500 to between three and five undergraduate students seeking to explore issues at the intersection of science, public policy, and global security. It will be presented to students whose academic interests, extracurricular activities, and career aspirations demonstrate an interest in addressing global security policy challenges and the role of scientists in public policy.

McNamara Family Creative Arts Project

The McNamara Family Foundation Family Creative Arts Project will provide financial resources to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time in a creative arts related field -media, film, performing arts, communications, writing, and others- to assist them in beginning and completing an art project. Grants will range from $5,000 to $20,000.

The Morris K. Udall Scholarship

The National Environmental Policy Foundation honors Congressman Morris King Udall with the Morris K. Udall Scholarship, which awards scholarships of up to $5,000 to undergraduate sophomore and junior students interested in studying the environment and its related fields, and to Native American and Alaska Native undergraduate sophomore and junior students related to health care and tribal public policy.

“Because environmental issues can be approached in a multidisciplinary way, the scholarship is offered to students from a broad range of disciplines. Majors have included environmental engineering, agriculture, biology and other natural sciences, natural resource management, political science, sociology, anthropology, geography, cultural studies, history, public policy, and pre-law. Native American and Alaska Native scholars have come from such backgrounds as American Indian studies, political science, sociology, geography, anthropology, tribal policy, economic development, government, health care, health sciences, and health policy. It is anticipated that the candidate's plan of study will include coursework in ethics and public policy and/or public or community service experience in the area of the candidate's career field.”

Patrick Stewart Human Rights Scholarship

The Patrick Stewart Human Rights Scholarship offers students the opportunity to work - over the summer - in the field of human rights. Students create summer projects that involve hands-on experience and encourage them to develop their organizational and leadership skills. Projects can be formal internships or independent projects that benefit an organization involved in human rights. Each year approximately 20 scholarships are awarded.

Roothbert Fund Scholarships

The Roothbert Fund Scholarship focuses on the needs of economically disadvantaged undergraduate students interested in summer study at an accredited institution based in the United States.

Spill Control Association of America Undergraduate Scholarship in Environmental Sciences (SCAA)

The Spill Control Association of America Undergraduate Scholarship in Environmental Sciences endowed scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in university level courses in environmental sciences. Selections of the scholarship recipients are made primarily based upon academic merit.

TYLENOL Brand Scholarship Fund

The TYLENOL Brand Scholarship Fund supports undergraduate and graduate students that exhibited strong community and activity leadership, and intend to major in areas that will lead to careers in health-related fields. Please contact:

Tylenol Scholarship
Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America
1505 Riverview Road, PO Box 88,
St. Peter, MN 56082

USA TODAY All Star Prize

The application process for the USA Today All Star Prize program is directed by the Columbia University Fellowship Office. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can receive the grant after nomination by a class dean. You apply for the grant by writing a 250-word essay presenting yourself and your most outstanding intellectual endeavor. The endeavor must have started during college and have earned some type of public recognition or tangible results.

Please visit your Class Dean and/or the Fellowships Office to initiate the application process.

Wall Street Image Scholarships

The Wall Street Image Scholarships supports students enrolled at collegiate institutions in the five boroughs of New York City. Awards of $1,000 are granted to students interested in pursuing summer work in business.

Please refer to the Fellowships Office for specific information.

Worldstudio Foundation Scholarship

Worldstudio Foundation provides scholarships to minority and economically disadvantaged students who are studying the design/arts disciplines in colleges and universities in the United States. Among the Foundation's primary aims are to increase diversity in the creative professions and to foster social and environmental responsibility in the artists, designers, and studios of tomorrow. To this end, scholarship recipients are selected not only for their ability and their need, but also for their demonstrated commitment to giving back to the larger community through their work. Basic scholarships are awarded in the amount of $1,000, $1,500, & $2,000. One or two awards are also given each year in the amount of between $3,000 and $5,000 at the jury's discretion. These awards are paid directly to your school to be applied toward your tuition. In addition, Honorable Mention prizes in the amount of $100 cash are awarded.

Youth Activity Fund

The Youth Activity Fund of the Explorers Club fosters a new generation of explorers dedicated to advancement of scientific knowledge through field research. Students need not be members of the Explorers Club; however, if awarded a scholarship, students are made honorary one-year members. In addition to the award, Youth Activity Fund winners are expected to submit a Grant Expedition Report within six months of their time in the field.