Scholarship Application

All graduate Earth Sciences scholarship applications are due Friday, March 27, 2026.

The Department is pleased to be able to assist a few worthy students to achieve their educational objectives.  The scholarships listed below honor past members of the Department.  Contributions to these funds honor the person for whom they are named, the award recipients, the Department and the donor (and their employer, if matching grants are available). 

 To Apply 

  1. Review the Department of Earth Sciences Graduate awards and eligibility criteria below.
  2. Download and complete the Graduate Student Scholarship Application
  3. Click the button below to upload and submit your application
Apply Now

 

We encourage students to connect with their advisor early in the scholarship process to get personalized guidance and support.
 
For additional questions, please contact:
Dr. Eric Sproles at eric.sproles@montana.edu or Dr. Christopher Organ at organ@montana.edu.
 

 

Department of Earth Sciences Graduate Awards

Barry C. Bishop Scholarship for Mountain Research

This scholarship honors Barry Bishop, long-time mountaineer and mountain scientist, who was an adjunct faculty member in the department at the time of his passing.  It is awarded to a first-year graduate student in the department with a research interest in mountain environments on the basis of the quality of their thesis proposal.

    • Barry C. Bishop Scholarship for Mountain Research Eligibility Criteria:
      • First year graduate student enrolled in either geology or geography program
      • M.S. or Ph.D.
      • Demonstrate the ability to write a quality research proposal for field-based research in a mountain environment
    • List of Previous Award Recipients

 

Donald L. Smith Memorial Scholarship

This award memorializes Professor Donald L. Smith, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences (1980-83) at the time of his death.  One (usually) scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate student in Geology, with preference given to those involved in field geology.  Criteria include academic potential and progress, initiative, dedication and resourcefulness.
    • Donald L. Smith Memorial Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
      • Geology student in M.S. or Ph.D. program
      • Maintain a GPA of 3.0
      • Be of good citizenship and character
      • Be a full-time student during the academic year (excluding summer)
    • List of Previous Award Recipients

 

Jim Edie Geography Scholarship

This award, honoring long-time Geography teacher, Department Head, Acting Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences, and Emeritus Professor of Geography Milton (Jim) Edie, is presented to a worthy student in the Geography program based on demonstrated academic prowess or potential.

    • Jim Edie Geography Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
      • Record of good citizenship and character
      • Be registered in the geography program
      • Be a full-time student during the academic year (excluding summer)
      • Award given to one undergrad and one grad student
    • List of Previous Award Recipients

MAGIP GIS Scholarship 

The MAGIP GIS Scholarship, offered in partnership with the Montana Association of Geographic Information Professionals (MAGIP), supports outstanding graduate students at Montana State University whose thesis research incorporates Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This award recognizes promising scholars whose work demonstrates strong research potential and meaningful application of GIS within their discipline.
    • MAGIP GIS Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
      • Must be a first‑year graduate student in good standing
      • May be enrolled in any discipline
      • Must be conducting thesis research that substantially incorporates GIS
      • Research must have a reasonable likelihood of completion within 1.5 years
      • Financial need may be considered as a secondary factor
      • Award may be received only once
      • One $1,000 award is given annually until funds are fully expended
      • Recipient is selected by a committee including faculty from the College of Letters & Science and the College of Agriculture, along with a representative from the Montana Association of Geographic Information Professionals
    • List of Previous Award Recipients

Marathon Oil Scholarship

This award is presented to a graduate student in the Earth Sciences program based on academic achievement and on the quality of their research proposal.

 

Congratulations to all past receipents

Department Scholarships Award Recipients

University Scholarships

 For information regarding university scholarships, please visit the following pages at the Office of Admissions: 

To Donate

If you would like to contribute to any these funds, or to initiate a fund,  please contact the Department at 406-994-3331, or the MSU Alumni Foundation.

 

Mountains

Department of Earth Sciences UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS

C.C. Bradley Scholarship

These awards, one each to a student in each of Earth Sciences five concentrations, recognize former Professor of Geology Charles C. Bradley.  Dr. Bradley was one of the first faculty in the department (in 1950), became the first Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences (in 1964), and was a leader in the field of environmental science.  They are awarded on the basis of strong academic performance.

  • C.C. Bradley Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
    • To be determined by the Earth Sciences faculty
    • Award given to one Geology, one Geography, on Snow Science, one GIS / Planning, and one Paleontology  student 
  • List of Award Recipients

Jim Edie Geography Scholarship

This award, honoring long-time Geography teacher, Department Head, Acting Dean of the College of Letters and Sciences, and Emeritus Professor of Geography Milton (Jim) Edie, is presented to a worthy student in the Geography program based on demonstrated academic prowess or potential.

  • Jim Edie Geography Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
    • Record of good citizenship and character
    • Be registered in the geography program
    • Be a full-time student during the academic year (excluding summer)
    • Award given to one undergrad and one grad student
  • List of Award Recipients

Kenny Dye Memorial Scholarship

This annual award remembers Kenny Dye '84, a junior in the Geology program at the time of his death.  Kenny was an outgoing person whose passing left a quiet hole in the Department. It is awarded to a Geology student, above the sophomore level, with a minimum 2.50 GPA, who best exemplifies Kenny's spirit of enjoyment and service to the Department and community.  Preference (among males) is given to members of Sigma Nu fraternity.
  • Kenny Dye Memorial Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
      • Undergrad above the sophomore level
      • Must be enrolled in the geology program
      • Maintain a GPA of 2.5
      • Be of good citizenship and character
      • Be a full-time student with satisfactory academic progress
      • Preference given to male applicants who are members of Sigma Nu Fraternity
 

NewFields Earth Science Scholarship

This award is presented to a undergraduate student in the Earth Sciences program.
  • NewFields scholarship Eligibility Criteria:
    • Pursuing a degree in Earth Science.
    • Be a student with financial needs, but does not qualify for need-based aid. 
  •  List of Award Recipients

 

Top Seniors in each concentration 

Top seniors in Geology, Paleontology, Snow Science and Geography & GIS/Planning are selected by faculty.  No money is awarded but student's name is placed on departmental plaque.

List of Award Recipients