Student Fellowships

Ready to have an adventure that makes a difference? With Earthwatch, you can get out of the classroom, get off the bus, and get into your world!

What Is An Earthwatch Student Fellowship?
Earthwatch student fellows get to go—for free!--on one of more than ninety Earthwatch expeditions around the world to work with top scientists and other students in the field. While there, you’ll learn how to do field research and help find answers to the most challenging environmental issues of our time—and you’ll be making a difference for endangered animals and their habitats. You’ll get to use some of the latest technology (like GPS and radio-transmitters for tracking animals), learn about cutting edge research areas (like climate change), and work in places most people never get to see (like an Icelandic glacier or a Costa Rican volcano).

You don’t need to have done anything like this before, and you don’t need to have taken any particular science classes to go. All you need is curiosity, an ability to work hard as part of a team, a thirst for adventure, and a desire to make a difference.

As an Earthwatch fellow, you’ll improve our understanding of the environment, have a direct impact on urgent conservation issues, and inspire your friends, family, teachers, and community. An Earthwatch student fellowship award is perfect for creative thinkers, risk takers, and students passionate about science or the environment.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Students aged 16 or older who attend school in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and the greater Dallas area of Texas are eligible to apply for Earthwatch student fellowships.*

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.

Although Earthwatch’s student fellowships are (usually) available only to students in the regions listed above, our Student Challenge Awards program is available to students nationwide. Students who live anywhere in the US should visit the Student Challenge Awards Program page. If you’ve got questions about whether student fellowships are available for your area, PLEASE CONTACT US to talk about your options; we can sometimes find funding for qualified students even if they’re not from the regions listed above.

*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.

What Do You Get With a Fellowship?
A Fellowship covers the full cost of your expedition, including all research costs, meals, housing, on site travel, etc.

If you’re selected, you’ll be responsible for arranging and paying for your travel to and from the rendezvous location for your expedition. However, 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.

Where Can You Go?
Check out just a few examples of where student fellows have gone with Earthwatch!

How to Apply

Applications received by the deadline will be reviewed before the next fellowship application deadline for that same fellowship. Note that the Student Challenge Awards Program (SCAP) deadline is December 1 of each year. Students must apply to SCAP separately from any other student fellowship—visit our Student Challenge Awards Program page for details.

Applicants will be considered for all opportunities for which they are eligible. Please do not submit multiple applications to Earthwatch.

Download an application and submit via email.
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For More Information
If you have any questions about the Earthwatch Education Fellowship programs, refer to our FAQ or contact the Earthwatch Fellowship department at fellowshipawards@earthwatch.org or 800-776-0188 X268.