External Funding

External Funding Opportunities 

External funding refers to scholarships that originate from off-campus. They may also be referred to as "external fellowships" or "scholarships". These fellowships are given to a student, usually based on merit. 

  • ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) 
  • You must be a student member to be eligible for these scholarships. More information on membership can be found here. You can see more information about the available scholarships here. Amounts vary from $2,000 up to $8,000. The scholarship application window is September 22-November 19.
  • Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship

  • The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) began its scholarship program in 1961 to ensure that motivated and committed students join in the effort to ensure California’s water quality, and to implement sound water management policies. This year, ACWA continues its academic scholarship program by offering a graduate level scholarship, the Stephen K. Hall ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship.

    Eligibility: Applicant must be attending an accredited, public or private U.S. college at the start of the academic year.
    Applicant must be pursuing a graduate degree (Master’s, PhD, or Law School) in water law, water policy or public administration with a demonstrated concentration in the field of water resources.
    Applicant must commit to full-time enrollment (8 semester units or 10 quarter units) for the entire academic year.
    Applicant must submit at least three current letters of recommendation, with at least one of the letters originating from a college professor or employer; and
    Applicant must submit official transcripts for each college they have attended; printed class schedules will not be accepted.
    Applicant must submit an essay responding to specific prompt (no more than 1,000 words).

    Award is $10,000 to be used towards tuition and fees.

    Deadline: March 15

  • Public Lands Foundation (PLF) George Lea Founder's Scholarship

  • The PLF is pleased to offer its George Lea Founders Scholarship to a good student who needs financial assistance to complete his or her schooling. The scholarship is named after PLF’s founder, George Lea. The scholarship consists of the following three elements:
    - $5,000 to be used toward the student’s tuition expenses.  Note: Funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s school for disbursement by the Financial Aid Office.
    -An invitation to attend the next PLF annual meeting, with all transportation and living expenses paid.
    -The opportunity to “shadow” a local BLM manager for a day.

    Eligibility: All juniors, seniors and masters-level graduate students majoring in a natural resource or public land policy curriculum during the 2022/2023 school year.
    Students who demonstrate academic excellence with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
    Full-time students planning on carrying at least 12 units per semester.
    Students will also be rated based on financial need, related volunteer, professional society participation, employment, etc.

    Timeline: Applications have closed for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. Applications will open for the 2023-2024 Academic Year later this year.

  • Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) Superior Chapter

  • The Superior California Chapter of AEP supports environmental planning and analysis professionals by providing a variety of educational programs and networking events. Members and non-members alike are invited to attend our lunch programs, workshops, and CEQA Workshops. 

    Eligibility: The scholarship is available to students who meet the following criteria (refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information):
    -Pursuing a degree in environmental science, environmental policy, or a closely related field (e.g., conservation biology, urban planning, etc.)
    -Attending a college or university in the Superior California Chapter geographical area which generally includes all inland northern California counties. The AEP Chapter Areas map can be found at: https://www.califaep.org/chapters.php
    -Junior or senior standing (undergraduate applicants)
    -Minimum 3.0 GPA (for undergraduate and graduate applicants)
    -Full-time status at least nine (9) semester units/credits or twelve (12) quarter units/credits. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least six (6) units/credits

  • Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Scholarship Fund

  • FIGR’s UC Scholarship provides in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees and Campus Fees for students who are California Native Americans but not members of a federally recognized tribe. This scholarship applies to undergraduate and graduate students for professional and non-professional degrees. Applications for the 2022-2023 academic year are due by July 15.

    If you are a member of a tribe that is federally recognized, the UC’s Native American Opportunity Plan  provides similar financial support for in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees. We encourage you to work with your campus’s Native American resource center or community center to identify these opportunities.

    Benefits: The FIGR UC Scholarship covers in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees and Campus Fees for eligible applicants. Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition may be covered depending on availability of funds.

    Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria: 
    1. Not a member of a Federally Recognized Tribe
    2. Either: 
    - Have a certificate of Degree of Indian Blood showing a California tribal affiliation; or
    - Descend from a person with a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood showing a California tribal affiliation, on the California census rolls of 1928 or 1922, or on the California Judgement Fund Rolls of 1953 or 1972; 
    - California resident
    - Current or newly admitted UC undergraduate, graduate, or professional school student; and 
    - Enrolled in a qualifying UC Degree Program

    Deadline: July 15

    See more information and how to apply here.

Finding opportunities

Search engines for fellowships and grants 

List provided by the UC Davis Office of Graduate Studies. See more information about applying and receiving external funding here.

  • Global Learning Hub
    • The Global Learning Hub is a part of the Global Affairs office on campus. They have a database of scholarship opportunities for various opportunities on and off campus.
  • Grants.gov
    • A searchable database of the funding opportunities from the 26 federal grant-making agencies. Register for a Grants.gov and add UC Davis to your applicant profile to apply for a federal funding opportunity. Additional resources include the Community Blog and YouTube channel.     
  • Pivot
    • A comprehensive listing of funding opportunities, including international opportunities. All disciplines are represented. Pivot is available to all UC Davis affiliates through an institutional subscription. Use your @ucdavis.edu email address to register for a Pivot account. Registered users can create searches and set alerts. This is a link to the Quick Start Guide and to Pivot on YouTube.   
  • Philanthropy News Digest
    •  Search under the RFPs tab to view current funding opportunities from grant-making organizations and non-profits. The listings are updated daily. The listings provide a summary of the funding opportunities. Register for an account to set notifications and subscribe to the RFP Bulletin.   
  • Immigrants Rising (formerly Educators for Fair Consideration)
    • Immigrants Rising maintains a list of funding opportunities for graduate students that do not require proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency. The list is updated annually. E4FC also provides scholarships to low-income immigrant students who live and/or attend school in the San Francisco Bay Area through its Scholarship Fund. 
  • GRAPES
    • A searchable database of graduate and postdoctoral extramural support opportunities created and maintained by the Graduate Division at UCLA.