Are you a resident of Massachusetts, an environmentalist, and high achieving student looking for a scholarship to support your career interests in this field?
Then you might be a candidate for the Henry David Thoreau Scholarship. This is a charitable organization that advances environmental leadership across disciplines.
Through scholarships and grants, they enhance the capacity of undergraduate students and professors to engage in collaborative research on environmental concerns and to encourage more innovative action.
Read this article to learn more about the scholarship and application information.
Henry David Thoreau Scholarship
Through its undergraduate scholarship program, the Henry David Thoreau Foundation recognizes and supports outstanding young leaders from Massachusetts committed to protecting future generations’ environmental well-being. These leaders are identified as Henry David Thoreau Scholars.
Since its founding in 1999, the Henry David Thoreau Scholarship has awarded more than $7 million to assist Massachusetts high school seniors in their environmental efforts.
“Through our undergraduate scholarship program, the Henry David Thoreau Foundation identifies and supports outstanding young leaders from Massachusetts who are committed to safeguarding the environmental welfare of future generations. We call them Henry David Thoreau Scholars.” – Henry David Thoreau Foundation
How Does this Scholarship Work?
The Foundation chooses a new class of Henry David Thoreau Scholars each year.
This group comprises eight to ten of the highest-ranking Massachusetts high school seniors with the potential for environmental leadership. These are also people who plan to pursue integrative environmental studies in college.
Each Henry David Thoreau Scholar receives a maximum of $25,000 award over four years. Thoreau Scholars are also eligible for an environmental internship stipend, which is typically awarded between junior and senior years.
What is the Purpose Behind this Scholarship?
This scholarship is intended to encourage young environmental leaders to take action. It is a project of the Henry David Thoreau Foundation that gives young environmental leaders opportunities to facilitate, aid, and sustain their work.
The Foundation annually recognizes these individuals in an effort to encourage them to pursue environmental studies in college and beyond.
Who is Eligible for this Scholarship?
To be eligible for the Henry David Thoreau Scholarship, applicants must:
- Have Massachusetts residency and graduate from a Massachusetts high school
- Intend to enroll in college during the year the Thoreau Scholarship is offered.
- Show solid educational qualifications and passion for an environmental field
In addition to being Massachusetts citizens, applicants must have an excellent academic standing and a commitment to the environment. Moreover, they must intend to enroll in college during the year the grant is awarded.
The Henry David Thoreau Scholarship application opened on October 15th and its deadline to apply is on February 1st, 2023.
Thoreau Scholars may enroll in any accredited college or university in the United States and pursue a major or minor in an environment-related field. See here for more information on the application.
How to Maintain this Scholarship?
To keep this scholarship throughout their college studies, scholars are required to do the following:
- attend an accredited college or university of your choice
- ensure 25% of your undergraduate courses are environment-related classes
- submit an annual report of your involvement in courses and activities related to the environment
- provide an official copy of your transcript at the end of each semester and maintain a greater than a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Although it is not required for scholars, it is strongly recommended that these students complete at least one internship in the environmental field. For this, scholars may apply to the Selection Committee for an internship stipend.
| Henry David Thoreau Scholarship FAQs | Answers |
| What is the amount of the scholarship they offer? | $25,000 over four years |
| How many scholarships are awarded? | 8-10 scholarships available per year |
| When is the application deadline? | February 1st, 2023 |
| Do you have to attend a specific school to get the scholarship? | This scholarship is intended for students who have Massachusetts residency and graduate from a Massachusetts high school. |
