The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences will consider small (<$500) requests from EPS graduate students to meet immediate research needs when existing resources just fall short. Requests for funding must support the graduate student’s field or laboratory research or fund travel expenses to support research (through, e.g., conference presentations or external collaborations). The student must have already secured other sources of funding to meet the majority of planned expenses. These awards are intended to “bridge the gap” only—they are not intended to be the only or primary source of funding for any research activity, and only intended for those with a demonstrated, near-term need. (Example: the student has won a competitive travel grant but is just short of the required funds to complete the planned research activity.) Awards are not intended as a cost-sharing program for students or faculty with existing resources.  Requests are considered on an ongoing basis, but no student may receive more than one “Bridging the Gap” award per year. Funds may become exhausted over the course of an academic year. 

Application Requirements: Please fill in the following Google Form and provide the requested information in the text boxes: (1) a one to two paragraph description of the planned research activity and its relation to the student’s program of study and (2) a one to two paragraph explanation of the planned expenses, primary sources of funding, and need for the “bridging the gap” funds.

Eligibility: Earth and Planetary Science graduate students with demonstrated need. 

Application deadline: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be evaluated within two weeks of receipt. 

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The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences will be offering scholarship awards for the Summer and Fall quarters of 2023. These scholarships are funded by EPS foundations and endowments and have a variety of eligibility requirements and restrictions on use of funds. Awards are designated for graduate students, undergraduate students, or both, and range in size from small stipends to completely funded (tuition + salary) one quarter GSR appointments. Each application will require one recommendation letter from a faculty advisor. Unless otherwise stated, each award will be evaluated based on both merit and financial need. The scholarship committee anticipates awarding up to two summer GSRs and one fall GSR for this cycle and up to two undergraduate Murphy awards. The Scholarship Committee consists of Dr. Edward Schwieterman (Chair), Dr. Andrey Bekker, Dr. Wei Liu, and Dr. David Oglesby.

Application requirements: Please fill in the following Google form and provide the needed attachments: (1) a one-page research statement describing the proposed investigation and the need for scholarship funds, (2) a one-page curriculum vitae, (3) a budget (if requesting funds in addition to a GSR), (4) contact information for one letter writer. Applicants should indicate whether they would like to be considered for summer or fall funding, where applicable (e.g., Blanchard). Please justify your choice in the research statement. Please pay heed to the eligibility requirements. Undergraduate applicants are only eligible for the Mike Murphy Endowed Field Studies Fund. By applying, the applicants agree to allow the scholarship committee access to their UCR academic transcripts.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2023

Available Scholarships and Eligibility Requirements

• Roland Blanchard Fund—Graduate Application: One academic quarter GSR appointment (tuition + salary) or one summer quarter of funding (50% FTE) for graduate students working on any aspect of field geology, mineralogy, or geochemistry of mineral deposits other than oil. Additional eligible expenses such as equipment or travel may be considered and require an additional budget narrative. Awards will be based on merit and need. Eligibility: Graduate students
• Mike Murphy Endowed Field Studies Fund—Graduate Application: One academic quarter GSR appointment (tuition + salary) or one summer quarter of funding (50% FTE) for graduate students engaged in field studies at the Department of the Earth and Planetary Sciences. Additional eligible expenses such as equipment or travel may be considered and require an additional budget narrative. Awards will be based on merit and need. Eligibility: Graduate students 
• Mike Murphy Endowed Field Studies Fund—Undergraduate Application: Awards of up to $3,000 to support the research of undergraduate students engaged in field studies at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Eligible expenses include travel support for field research or conferences, conference fees, research equipment, and summer research stipends. Awards will be based on merit. Eligibility: Undergraduate students

—David, Eddie, Wei, and Andrey (the Departmental Scholarship Committee)

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