Through the generosity of individual donors and foundations committed to global sustainability and learning, Earthwatch is able to provide students with the opportunity to participate on expeditions as Student Fellows. Students participate on teen teams with their peers and are able to be a part of cutting edge field research. Students are nominated by a teacher or guidance counselor whom they have worked with in the past three years and then invited to complete an application. We encourage teachers to nominate students who have not had the opportunity to have experiences like this before.
Want to learn more about the Student Fellowship Program? Check out some of the frequently asked questions below to find out more about the program and how to apply.
How does the Student Fellowship Program work?
What is SCAP?
Who is eligible to apply?
Do I need to submit a separate application for SCAP?
What does a student fellowship cover?
Does a fellowship cover college costs?
Where can you go?
How do you apply?
My child has applied/been awarded a fellowship. What do I need to know?
I have been awarded a fellowship… Now what?
Still have questions? Email fellowshipawards@earthwatch.org. Our program coordinators are happy to answer any other questions you may have.
How does the Student Fellowship Program work?
The Student Fellowship Program is made possible by a variety of generous donors. If you are awarded a fellowship, your expedition costs (i.e. Minimum Contribution) and some or all of your travel costs, will be covered by a particular donor. In return, all fellows are required to complete a fellowship report. This report generally consists of a thank you letter to your sponsor and nominator, and a three page field report (details given in award packet).
If you are awarded, you will be placed on an expedition geared toward teens. That means your team will be made up of other students your age as well as an adult Teen Team facilitator. Your facilitator will be with you from the time you step off the plane to the end of the expedition to provide additional guidance, supervision, and activity organization.
What is SCAP?
SCAP stands for Student Challenge Awards Program and is our premier student fellowship program. SCAP is supported by one of our most generous and long standing donors. SCAP is a competitive fellowship program for students who excel in the arts and humanities, and has been rewarding creative thinkers and risk takers for more than 20 years.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
High school rising sophomores and juniors (or are officially enrolled in a home-school program)* in the United States are eligible to apply for Earthwatch Student Fellowships. Seniors are not eligible. You are also not eligible to receive a fellowship if you have been awarded a student fellowship in the past.
The strongest student applicants are passionate about learning, excited to embark on an adventure, and committed to engaging their communities around conservation issues when they return from their expedition. You do NOT need to have prior research experience.
All applicants must be nominated by a teacher or guidance counselor whom they have worked with in the past three years before they can apply. Once Earthwatch receives a nomination, the nominee will be sent a link to the application form via e-mail. Students will only be able to access the application through this link.
*Students must be 16 years or older by the first date of the expedition, and must not have booked a reservation as a volunteer on an upcoming Earthwatch expedition.
Do I need to submit a separate application for SCAP?
All students who submit a Student Fellowship Application are considered for all fellowship programs which they are eligible. This means that students should only submit ONE application.
What does a student fellowship cover?
A Fellowship covers the full cost of your expedition, including all research costs, meals, housing, on site travel, etc.
Many fellowships include reimbursement for some or even all of your personal travel costs. Specific travel reimbursement policies, as well as full fellowship requirements, are outlined in all Offer Letters. Reimbursements are awarded upon the successful completion of your fellowship.
There are programs, like SCAP, where Earthwatch works with a travel agent to make flight arrangements for students. In these cases, all travel costs are covered by the funder of the fellowship program. If you are awarded to one of the programs where travel is handled exclusively through Earthwatch, we will specify in your Offer Letter that travel is fully covered and ask for additional travel information on your Award Agreement.
Does a fellowship cover college costs?
No, student fellowships are provided by generous funders for students to participate on Earthwatch expeditions.
Where Can You Go?
Check out just a few examples of where student fellows have gone with Earthwatch!
How to Apply
In order to apply, all students must be nominated by a teacher or guidance counselor whom they have worked with in the past three years. Once Earthwatch receives your nomination form, you will be sent a link to the application form. Please add fellowshipawards@earthwatch.org to your Safe Sender list to ensure that you will receive this important email.
Teachers and guidance counselors should nominate students using the Student Nomination Form. Please note - all Student Nominations are due on October 27, 2010 so don’t delay!
Student Applications are due December 1, 2010.
Click here to check out the questions on the 2011 student application and get a head start!
My child has applied/been awarded a fellowship. What do I need to know?
We highly recommend that you review the information found here. This page outlines the next steps for individuals who have been awarded a fellowship. It explains what will be expected following notification of a fellowship award. If awarded a fellowship, both you and your child will be notified via e-mail. Please add fellowshipawards@earthwatch.org to your Safe Sender list to ensure that you will receive important email updates from our department.
For More Information
If you have any questions about the Earthwatch Student Fellowship programs, please contact the Earthwatch Fellowship department at fellowshipawards@earthwatch.org or 800-776-0188.