Students should complete and submit the online application along with three references by the scholarship competition deadline. Submitted applications are first reviewed by EREF staff to verify eligibility and ensure their research topic fits with EREF’s mission. Applications are then sent to the Scholarship Committee who recommend a short list of applicants for funding to the Board of Directors. Once the Board approves the scholars, applicants are notified of their award status in-mid-to-late August.
The 2025 application period will open on December 15, 2024, and close on March 3, 2025.
All applications must be completed by midnight Eastern Time on March 3, 2025. Reference letters must also be submitted by the deadline for the application to be considered complete. Any incomplete applications as of the deadline will not be considered.
Scholarship awards will begin in September of the year awarded. As a result, students graduating in December of that same year are ineligible to apply.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Your advisor / reference will not receive instructions explaining how to submit a recommendation letter until you either (1) submit your application or (2) save your application and click Send Letter Request to each reference.
Apply in 3 Easy Steps
Review the Strategic Priorities and Application Requirements below.
Verify you are eligible: Does your work fit within our research priorities? Are you or will you be a full-time student?
Verify the application window is open, which means we’re ready to accept applications.
When you can answer “Yes” to these 3 questions, click the “Apply Here” button below!
Application Requirements
All submissions must be in English and must be made online using the link above. Hard copies and e-mailed materials will NOT be accepted. You will be asked for the following information/materials:
- Contact Information
- Career Interests
- College Information
- Tuition and Living Expenses, as well as Other Sources of Funding/Income
- GPA, College Academic Honors, and Extracurricular Activities
- College transcripts: Please include all of your degrees in English (Bachelors, MS, PhD) that are applicable. If you do not have an English version of a transcript, please do not include one in a language other than English. These do not have to be official transcripts.
- Personal statement (500 words or less): Please write a statement that describes what makes you a standout candidate for the EREF Scholarship and how these qualities contribute to your potential for success in this field. The prompts below can be used to help you craft your statement and inspire your creativity, but you do not have to address each question.
- Your Interest in Solid Waste Management and Sustainability: Describe how you became interested in solid waste management, sustainability, or environmental awareness. What sparked your excitement for these topics, and how has your understanding of these issues evolved over time?
- Relevant Experiences: Share your experiences – whether academic, professional, or personal – that have deepened your knowledge or skills in solid waste, sustainability, or related fields. This could include research projects, internships, or specific initiatives which you’ve been apart. Please don’t write your statement as a repeat of your CV/resume but take the opportunity to expand on a component if your experience was particularly meaningful to you.
- Community Service and Volunteerism: Highlight any volunteer work or community service activities where you contributed to environmental or waste-related causes. How have these experiences influenced your perspective on sustainability or your desire to make a positive impact?
- Career Goals: Outline your career aspirations in the field of solid waste management, environmental sustainability, or a related field. How do you envision using your education and skills to contribute to these areas in the future?
- Additional Talents and Interests: Is there anything else – such as unique talents, leadership experiences, or extracurricular activities – that makes you an excellent candidate? How will these qualities enhance your success in solid waste management?
- Research statement (500 words or less): Please write a statement describing your thesis or capstone project and its relevance to the advancement of solid waste management. Please ensure that the statement is entirely your own work, reflecting your insights and perspectives, rather than those of your advisor or external sources. Your statement should include the following elements:
- Project Title: Clearly indicate your project title at the top of your statement. (Note: The title is not included in the 500-word limit.)
- Project Description: Articulate your key research questions and objectives.
- Methodology: Provide a brief overview of the methods you will use to investigate each objective.
- Impact on the Industry: Discuss how you anticipate your work will influence the solid waste sector, including potential applications and benefits.
- References: While references are not required, you may include up to five if desired. These will not count towards the 500-word limit.
- CV or resume
- Three Recommendations: Choose three individuals that can comment on your abilities as a student and scholar. Each recommender will be required to submit a recommendation form by the application deadline. Recommendation requests will be sent through the online application once you have submitted your application, or once you have saved your application and selected to send recommendation requests. This email will include additional instructions for that individual and a personal link where they can upload their recommendation form.
All qualified applicants will be considered for EREF Scholarships without regard to race, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, or disability. Applications from students outside the United States or studying abroad will receive equal consideration. Award decisions by the Environmental Research & Education Foundation and its Directors are final and not subject to appeal.
Questions? Please send an e-mail to scholarships@erefdn.org or call 919.861.6876, Ext. 111