Applications are now open for two AAPG Foundation programs that provide financial assistance for college and university-level geoscience students – in settings designed to impact and improve career opportunities.

One of the programs continues this year on the heels of its meteoric initial success; the second program continues after a one-year hiatus that gave leadership an opportunity to modify and improve what has been a decades-long initiative to provide “impacts for students.”

“We’re able to support these programs largely because of donations we receive from people who, like us, believe investing in geoscience’s future is important,” said Foundation Chair Jim McGhay. “That’s a big reason why our current Capital Campaign is so important.” (See accompanying story.)

With that support, applications for 2027 are being accepted for:

  • The Foundation’s Field Camp Scholarship program, which awards undergraduate level geoscience students with funding to help cover the cost of attending field camp. Field Camp applications are being accepted through Nov. 30.
  • The Foundation’s Grants-in-Aid program, which provides financial assistance to graduate students “whose work advances petroleum geology, energy minerals and environmental geoscience.”

GIA applications are being accepted through Dec. 14, or until 150 applications have been received.

Applications and guidelines for both can be found on the Foundation website, aapgfoundation.org.

“We see these programs as effective ways to provide an impact for geoscience students,” McGhay said. “Helping talented students to develop and further their skills is an important part of the Foundation’s mission.

“With these programs, students get better, the profession gets stronger and our energy future gets brighter,” he added. “It’s a win-win for both students as well as those who support the Foundation.”

Details – And Impacts

The Foundation’s Grants-in-Aid program has been an important part of the Foundation since its founding nearly 60 years ago. From the beginning, its goal has been “to support geoscience education and research.”

Through it, the Foundation historically has awarded grants to graduate students of up to $3,000 to cover expenses directly related to their thesis work, including field work and laboratory analyses costs. Grants are based on merit and, in part, on financial needs.

“The GIA program has helped literally thousands of geoscientists as they begin their careers, with the results being better professionals and a better energy future,” said Rick Fritz, AAPG Foundation executive director. “Students have needs, and supporting Named Grants through our Capital Campaign gives everyone an opportunity be part of their journeys.”

The GIA initiative was unavailable in 2026, allowing Foundation leadership a window to assess the program in light of changing educational trends and how to more effectively use the gifts that were given in support of geoscience education.

“This has been a good time for staff and leadership to get the program ready for the next 60 years,” McGhay said. “We’re anxious to see what research ideas we’ll find in our new season of applicants.”

The Field Camp Program is entering its third year as an outgrowth of the nearly 30-year-old L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant Program, and already has established itself as one of the Foundation’s most popular initiatives.

For perspective, the program in 2025 awarded $90,000 to 30 participants in its inaugural year; in 2026, that number rose to 66 scholarships totaling $198,000.

For 2027, the Foundation plans to award 80 scholarship grants.

The program itself was created as the Foundation Trustees sought updated tactics to continue the intentions and spirit of L. Austin Weeks and his wife, the late Marta Weeks-Wulf, who were enthusiastic and generous supporters of the AAPG Foundation and geoscience education.

Thousands of students benefited from the original LAW grants, but contemporary needs and costs outgrew the fund’s original guidelines.

Under today’s program, each scholarship recipient receives a comprehensive support package designed to remove financial barriers and equip students with professional-grade tools. That package includes:

  • A $3,000 scholarship to offset field camp tuition and travel costs
  • An inscribed backpack and field notebook
  • A complete field work supply kit
  • A GeoLite Transit surveying instrument, manufactured by Brunton Inc

Scholarship recipients are chosen from a competitive pool of applicants that are reviewed by Foundation members.

“Supporting our future by helping to develop outstanding geoscientists is among the Foundation’s top priorities,” McGhay said, “and that includes not only the Trustees but the vast majority of those who support us with their financial gifts.”

McGhay noted that providing financial support for geoscience education and students is a cornerstone of the Foundation’s current $25 million Capital Campaign.

“Certainly, helping students as they prepare for their careers is a priority for us,” McGhay added. “It’s good for the students, and it’s good for our profession’s future.”

For more information and to apply, visit the Foundation website, aapgfoundation.org.

For information on and to support the Foundation’s Capital Campaign, visit Campaign.aapgfoundation.org.