EREF Scholarship Program Opening Soon
Offered by Environmental Research & Education Foundation
About This Scholarship
The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) runs one of the few national scholarship programs dedicated to sustainable waste management — a corner of environmental science with strong career demand and little dedicated funding elsewhere. EREF scholarships recognize excellence in master's, doctoral, and post-doctoral research related to solid waste management, including recycling, waste conversion, landfill science, circular economy, and sustainable materials management.
Awards are substantial for graduate funding: master's scholarships run up to $6,000 per year and can be extended up to two years, while doctoral scholarships run up to $14,400 per year, paid monthly, and can be extended up to three years from the initial award. That makes EREF effectively renewable for students who remain in good standing on qualifying research.
Applicants submit an application package including research description, transcripts, and recommendations during the annual window, which has recently opened in mid-December and closed in early March. Winners join a foundation network closely tied to the waste and environmental services industry.
Eligibility
- Enrolled full-time in a master's, doctoral, or post-doctoral program at an accredited university
- Research relates to sustainable solid waste management (recycling, waste conversion, landfills, circular economy, sustainable materials management)
- Application includes research description, transcripts, and letters of recommendation
- No application fee
How To Apply
- Review the scholarship criteria and application instructions on EREF's site.
- Prepare your research summary, transcripts, and recommendation letters.
- Submit the online application between the mid-December open and the early-March deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EREF scholarship only for engineering students?
No. Any graduate research advancing sustainable solid waste management qualifies — engineering, environmental science, chemistry, policy, and economics projects have all been funded, as long as waste management is the core focus.