Awards and Grants
The Foundation provides awards that recognize individual accomplishments in the Earth Sciences:
Neal J. Harr Memorial Award
The Neal J. Harr Memorial Award, known as the “Pick Award,” is given to outstanding geology seniors at 10 colleges and universities in Colorado. The winners are awarded engraved rock hammers and a complimentary one-year membership to RMAG.
K-12 Earth and Environmental Science Teaching Excellence Grant
Applications for 2026 are not yet open. The RMAG Foundation, jointly with the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, annually awards a K-12 Earth and Environmental Science Teaching Excellence Grant to a Colorado K-12 teacher who promotes excellence in teaching Earth and Environmental Science. The grant was formerly known as the “K-12 Earth and Environmental Science Teacher of the Year Award.” The grant consists of a commemorative plaque and cash presented to the teacher and the teacher’s school. Multiple grants may be given.
Publication Charge Grants
Publication charge grants are intended to offset the costs of publication by students of their work. The costs include page, color, and open access charges. The article should be relevant to Rocky Mountain geoscience.
Michael S. Johnson Explorer of the Year
The Explorer of the Year Award is given jointly by the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and the RMAG Foundation to recognize an earth scientist or team who has made a significant energy or mineral discovery, or has demonstrated outstanding achievements in resource exploration. The award may not be granted every year.