Scholarships

2026 Environmental Science & Sustainability Scholarships

Turn your passion for the planet into a tuition-free future. Check out these top environmental scholarships to fund your degree and help save the Earth.

Shawna Newman

April 08, 2026

2026 Environmental Science & Sustainability Scholarships
Earth Day is April, 22.
Are you passionate about protecting the planet and looking for ways to fund your education? Whether you are majoring in environmental science, sustainability, or conservation, there are millions of dollars in financial aid available for eco-conscious students. From high school seniors to graduate researchers, these environmental scholarships reward your commitment to a greener future. Explore our updated 2026 lists to find the best green funding opportunities and reduce your student debt today.

Top Environmental and Sustainability Scholarships for Students

FGBC Scholarship

Deadline: 4/30/26
Award Amount: $1,000
Eligibility:The FGBC Scholarship is available to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. You must reside and attend school in Florida and be planning to study an aspect of sustainability in the built environment to be eligible for this award. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is also required.

Bariod Scholarship

Deadline: 4/30/26
Award Amount: $2,500 Eligibility:The Baroid Scholarship is available to high school seniors. You must intend to pursue a career in a groundwater-related field and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for this award.

"A Voice for Animals" Contest

Deadline: 5/25/26
Award Amount: Varies Eligibility:The "A Voice for Animals" Contest is open to high school and home-schooled students. To be considered, 16- to 18-year-old students must write an essay or submit a short video on the following topic: "Protecting Marine Life from Human Impact."

RTK Scholars Program

Deadline: 5/31/26
Award Amount: $1,500 Eligibility:The RTK Scholars Program is available to high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in the New York tri-state area. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be majoring in or planning to major in environmental science, environmental studies, biology, or engineering to be eligible for this award.

Women in Conservation Science Scholarship

Deadline: 6/8/26
Award Amount: $4,000 Eligibility:The Women in Conservation Science Scholarship is available to female undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies related to natural resource conservation. You must be interested in a career in the fields of range science, forestry, biology, botany, earth science, wildlife management, or other majors related to conservation science to be eligible for this award.

Ocean Awareness Contest

Deadline: 6/8/26
Award Amount: $1,000 Eligibility: The Ocean Awareness Contest is open to students between the ages of 15 and 18. To be considered, you must submit an original piece of visual art, creative writing, film, interactive and multimedia, music, dance, poetry, or spoken word that aligns with the following theme: "Your Story, Our Ocean: How Our Ocean Sustains, Protects, and Inspires Us."

ExtremeTerrain Student Scholarship

Deadline: 6/15/26
Award Amount: $2,500 Eligibility:The ExtremeTerrain Student Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students pursuing a degree in environmental studies, ecology, land use, earth and atmospheric sciences, sustainable land management, environmental biology, or sustainable agricultural systems. To be considered for this award, you must submit a 700 – 1500-word essay 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.

One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest

Deadline: 6/25/26
Award Amount: $350 - $1,000 Eligibility:The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest is open to students aged 25 or younger. You must submit a three - to eight - minute video that shares and highlights solutions to the issues discussed in the chosen sustainability topic(s) on the sponsor's website. The film entry's theme must be solution-based. The film should address an environmental / sustainability problem and then discuss a potential solution. Videos may be submitted by either an individual or a group, and animated videos of no more than 45 seconds will also be considered.

Ventana Ocean Conservation Scholarship

Deadline: 7/15/26
Award Amount: $3,000 Eligibility:The Ventana Ocean Conservation Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in ocean conservation, marine science, environmental science, marine biology, or a related field. You must have completed at least one year of study at a California university to be eligible for this award. You must also submit an essay explaining why you care about protecting the oceans and how your degree will help you do so.

TN Nursery Horticulture and Environmental Studies Scholarship

Deadline: 12/30/26
Award Amount: $500 - $1,000 Eligibility:The TN Nursery Horticulture and Environmental Studies Scholarship is open to current undergraduate and graduate students. You must be majoring in horticulture, environmental science, botany, agriculture, forestry, landscape architecture, or a related sustainability field and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be considered for this award. A short essay of between 500 and 700 words on your passion for the environment, plants, or sustainability, and how your education will help make a difference in the green space, must also be submitted.

How to Win Environmental Science Scholarships

Standing out in the green space requires more than just good grades; it requires a focus on our planet. Use a scholarship application checklist and the four steps below to improve your success rate:
  1. Build a Green Student Resume or Brag Sheet. Highlight your involvement in environmental clubs, volunteer work with local conservancies, or any sustainability projects you’ve led. Scholarship committees look for leadership in conservation.
    1. Tailor Your Scholarship Essay. Don’t use a generic template. For awards like the FGBC Scholarship, focus specifically on your interest in sustainable construction. Use specific plans for how you plan to impact the industry.
      1. Prioritize and Organize by Deadline. Many environmental grants and scholarships have early spring deadlines (March-May). Use your Fastweb profile to add the scholarship deadline to your calendar. Transcripts: Ask for these at least two weeks in advance. Letters of Recommendation: As professors or community leaders who can speak to your commitment to sustainability.
        1. Proofread and Review Before Submission. One typo or a single missing supplemental document can disqualify you. Ensure your scholarship application reflects the same precision you would apply to a scientific field study.
        You may be interested in the following opportunities, too:

        Enviornmental Internships

        Scholarships for College Students

        Scholarships for Seniors

        Scholarships for Juniors

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Shawna Newman

Managing Editor, Contributing Writer

Shawna Newman covers various topics related to post-secondary education, including trade schools, the military, and college. She details strategies for paying for school, such as scholarships, financial ai...

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