Soil and Water Conservation Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Soil Science Society of America
Introduction and purpose
Outstanding soil and water conservation professionals are not produced solely by classrooms — they are cultivated by experienced mentors who pass along knowledge, values, and practical skills. This scholarship recognizes the mentors and colleagues who have advanced the discipline and aims to renew student interest in careers focused on soil and water conservation. Funded by the Soil and Water Management & Conservation Division and provided to the Agronomic Science Foundation, the award is administered by SSSA.
Award details
- Application window: open each year from January through May 29.
- Award amount: a $3,500 stipend will be given to the selected student in August, ahead of the fall semester.
- Mentor support: an additional $500 will be paid to the student’s major professor or advisor to promote continued mentorship, to encourage applicants, and to support the advisor accompanying the awardee to the SSSA Annual Meeting.
Evaluation criteria
Applicants are evaluated on:
- Current academic accomplishments (courses taken and projects completed). Transcripts are not required.
- Stated career goals related to soil and water conservation.
- Work or practical experience in soil and water conservation.
- Endorsement and acknowledgment of the student’s activities from the major professor.
- The student’s perspective on the near-term importance and role of soil and water conservation.
Eligibility
- Enrollment: Candidate must be a student at a university in North America (United States, Canada, or Mexico). Preference is given to students attending land-grant universities or institutions with comparable agricultural programs.
- Academic level: Open to juniors or seniors in a B.S. program, or to M.S. candidates.
- Nominations: Self-nominations are accepted.
- Restrictions: Past recipients of this scholarship are not eligible. Members of the SSSA Awards Committee and the SSSA Board of Directors may not be nominated.
Additional information and contacts
Further details are available on the Soil and Water Management & Conservation Division webpage, including lists of Award Committee members, the SSSA Board of Directors, and past recipients. For specific questions about the scholarship or the application process, contact Jerry Lemunyon, scholarship chair, or email awards@sciencesocieties.org. You may also call 608-268-8080.