AGS Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Alaska Geological Society
About the Alaska Geological Society
The Alaska Geological Society (AGS) is a not-for-profit organization composed of professional geoscientists and earth science enthusiasts based in Anchorage, Alaska. The society supports education, research, and public outreach related to Alaska geology. This page summarizes scholarship opportunities and application procedures administered by AGS. Visit the society website for additional organizational information and resources.
Description: AGS promotes geoscience education and provides scholarships to students pursuing Alaskan geology or related research. The organization fosters professional development and encourages publication of research results.
- Nonprofit organization supporting geoscience in Alaska
- Scholarships target students researching Alaskan geology
- Resources and publications are available through the society
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled full time in an accredited institution and pursuing a degree in geoscience or an equivalent program. Projects must focus on Alaskan geology or a closely related geoscience topic. Applicants may apply multiple times but are limited in prior awards; additional documentation is required for repeat recipients. Family relationships to Scholarship Committee or Board members disqualify applicants.
Eligibility: Key qualifications include current full-time enrollment, enrollment in a geoscience degree program, Alaska-focused project, limits on prior AGS awards, and no familial relationship to committee or board members.
- Full-time enrollment at an accredited institute of higher education.
- Status as a BA, BS, MS, or PhD candidate in geoscience or an equivalent degree program.
- Project or thesis/dissertation topic focused on Alaskan geology or a related geoscience topic.
- Having received the AGS Scholarship no more than two times previously; prior awardees must provide a summary of prior fund usage.
- Applicants may not be related to any member of the Scholarship Committee or the Board of Directors.
- Full-time students in geoscience programs are eligible
- Research must be focused on Alaska or related topics
- Repeat award limits and conflict-of-interest rules apply
Application Requirements
Applications must include a standard application form and supporting documents that describe the applicant’s goals, project, and financial need. Undergraduates submit a project description while graduate students submit a thesis proposal. Applicants must provide at least two letters of recommendation and copies of relevant transcripts; a third recommendation may be included if it adds important information. Students may apply for both the AGS and the Richter Memorial scholarships in the same calendar year but must submit separate cover letters for each.
Application Requirements: Required materials document academic record, project plans, recommendations, and how scholarship funds will be used if awarded.
- AGS Scholarship application form (downloadable from the society site)
- Cover letter detailing goals, financial need, and intended use of funds; past recipients must report prior fund usage
- Project description for undergraduates or thesis proposal for graduates
- Minimum of two letters of recommendation; transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable)
Submission Methods
Applications may be submitted by email or by postal mail. Email submissions must include all required documents and be received by midnight on February 1. Postal submissions should be addressed to the AGS Scholarship Committee at the society’s P.O. Box in Anchorage. Applicants who previously submitted to the older scholarships address must also resubmit to the current email address to ensure consideration.
Application Timeline: Complete applications are due February 1; scholarship recipients will be notified by March 20, and awardees must submit an abstract within one year of the award.
Submit via E-Mail:
Email all required documents by midnight, February 1 to [email protected]
Important note: If you previously submitted an application to [email protected], you must also submit the application to the above email address.
Submit via Mail:
AGS Scholarship Committee
Alaska Geological Society
P.O. Box 101288
Anchorage, AK 99510
- Email or postal submission options available
- Deadline: midnight, February 1
- Notification of awards by March 20
Selection and Reporting
The AGS Scholarship Committee evaluates all application materials holistically, with priority given to projects likely to lead to publication. Award decisions consider academic record, project merit, financial need, and the potential for dissemination of results. Award recipients are required to submit an abstract (up to 1,000 words) summarizing preliminary or final results for publication in the AGS newsletter within one year of receiving funds. Repeat recipients must supply a summary of how prior scholarship funds were applied as part of subsequent applications.
Award Value: Scholarship awards typically range from $500 to $3,000, intended to support field work, field camp, research fees, tuition, books, or related expenses.
- Selection prioritizes publishable research and overall application strength
- Awardees must submit an abstract for the AGS newsletter within one year
- Typical award range: $500–$3,000