Don Richter Memorial Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Alaska Geological Society
Overview
The Alaska Geological Society’s Don Richter Scholarship supports graduate student research in geology and geophysics related to Alaska. Proposals across all relevant disciplines are welcome, with particular encouragement for research reflecting Don Richter’s interests—volcanology, igneous petrology, neotectonics, and field-based studies in regions such as the Aleutian arc, Talkeetna Mountains, and Wrangell Mountains. The scholarship awards a single $2,500 grant to support research activities. Applicants should demonstrate relevance to Alaskan geoscience and the potential for substantive scholarly outcomes.
Description: Graduate-level research proposals in geology and geophysics related to Alaska; emphasis on field-based and regionally focused work consistent with Don Richter’s career interests.
Award Value: One award of $2,500 granted to a single proposal to support research expenses.
- Supports graduate research tied to Alaska.
- Encourages topics aligned with Don Richter’s specialties.
- Single $2,500 award per cycle.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited institution and pursuing an MS or PhD (or equivalent) in a geoscience program. Projects must focus on Alaskan geology or related topics, with preference for areas connected to Don Richter’s research. Prior recipients may apply only once more and must report on past use of funds. Applicants cannot be related to members of the Richter family or to members of the Scholarship Committee or AGS Board.
Eligibility: Enrollment at an accredited institute; MS or PhD candidacy in geoscience; project relevance to Alaskan geology; limits on previous recipients and conflict-of-interest restrictions.
- Enrollment at an accredited institute of higher education.
- Status as an MS or PhD candidate in geoscience or an equivalent degree program.
- Project or thesis/dissertation focused on Alaskan geology or related geoscience; preference for topics reflecting Don Richter’s interests (volcanology, igneous petrology, Wrangell Mountains, Aleutian arc, Talkeetna arc, Denali Fault system, or south-central Alaska stratigraphy).
- Previous Richter Scholarship recipients may have received the award no more than one time previously and must provide a summary of how prior funds were used.
- Applicants may not be related to any member of the Richter family or to any person serving on the Scholarship Committee or the AGS Board of Directors.
- Must be a graduate student in geoscience at an accredited institution.
- Project must be relevant to Alaska; some topics are prioritized.
- One-time repeat eligibility with reporting requirement for prior recipients.
Application Materials
Applications must include specific supporting documents that allow the Scholarship Committee to assess academic preparation, project merit, and financial need. Materials should describe the applicant’s background, project or thesis proposal, letters of recommendation, and academic transcripts. If the applicant has previously received AGS funding, an update on prior use of funds is required. The Committee evaluates the full application package when making award decisions.
Application Materials: Submit a complete package including the AGS form, personal cover letter, project or thesis description, recommendation letters, and transcripts.
- AGS Scholarship application form (click to download form).
- Cover letter detailing career goals, interest in Earth Sciences, financial need, and intended use of funds; past recipients must include an update on prior AGS funding.
- Project description or graduate thesis proposal addressing relevance to Don Richter’s interests.
- At least two letters of recommendation; a third may be included if it adds important information.
- Copies of transcripts from the current institution (and previous institution for first-year graduate students); formal confidential transcripts are not required.
Selection and Post-award Requirements
The Scholarship Committee reviews all application materials and gives priority to projects intended for publication. Award decisions consider academic merit, project relevance, and the potential for tangible research outcomes. Within one year of the award, recipients must submit an abstract (maximum 1,000 words) summarizing preliminary or final results for publication in the AGS newsletter. All required forms are due at the time of application, and recipients must comply with reporting expectations.
Post-award Requirements: Priority for projects aimed at publication; a required abstract within one year; submission of all required forms with the application.
- Committee evaluates the complete application package with emphasis on publishable results.
- Recipients must submit an abstract (≤1,000 words) within one year for the AGS newsletter.
- All required forms are due at the time of application submission.