Scholarships

Applications for 2026 scholarships are now being accepted! The Foundation will award 10 competitive and 2 faculty-nominated scholarships. Click here for information and an application. Applications must be submitted by midnight, Sunday, February 15, 2026. Winners will be notified in early March.

Scholarships are available not only to geology and geophysics students but to other earth science-related sub-disciplines including, but not limited to: geochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric and/or climate sciences, volcanology, mining-related studies, planetary sciences, surface processes, and glaciology. Applicants must be enrolled at institutions located in the United States.

The Foundation is pleased to offer the SM Energy Scholar Award. SM Energy has generously contributed a $10,000 award to be given to a junior, senior, or graduate student conducting oil and gas related research.

The following competitive scholarships will be awarded. Many scholarships have specific requirements that the applicant must meet. The Trustees will review the applications and vote on the winners.

Competitive Scholarships

SM Energy Scholar Award: undergraduate or graduate studies in oil and gas related disciplines at any U.S.-based institution.

Gary Babcock Memorial Scholarship: graduate studies in geoscience with no restrictions.

Bolyard Family Scholarship: graduate and senior-level studies in geoscience. Not available to students at Colorado College or Colorado School of Mines.

Robert M. Cluff Memorial Scholarship: graduate studies in petrophysics or reservoir characterization.

Colorado School of Mines Memorial Scholarship: graduate studies in geosciences at Colorado School of Mines.

Norman H. Foster Memorial Scholarship: graduate studies in geoscience related to oil and gas exploration.

Michael S. Johnson Scholarship: graduate studies in geoscience related petroleum research.

RMAG Foundation Scholarship: the winner must demonstrate outstanding research abilities and achievement.

Stone/Hollberg Scholarship: awarded to a graduate student conducting structural geology or geophysics research in the Rocky Mountain region.

Veterans Memorial Scholarship: awarded to a graduate student who is a veteran or currently serving in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Falculty Nominated Scholarships

Philip J. McKenna Scholarship: awarded to two students at Colorado College

C. Elmo and Kathleen W. Brown Field Camp Scholarship: awarded to one student at Adams State University, Mesa State University, Fort Lewis College and Western Colorado University