Graduate Student Fellowship Program

Guidelines

Introduction

Graduate Student Fellowships (GSF) are awarded by the Society of Economic Geologists Foundation (SEGF). The fellowships support students studying a topic related to economic geology.

Overview

To be eligible for this grant, you must not have yet completed the first year of your graduate studies. This includes both M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs.

Online Application

Part I (Completed by the Student): Summarizes the topic, objectives, plans, and budget for the proposed research and the background of the applicant; applicants must adequately explain their proposals, provide informative documentation, and present the proposals under their own name.

Part II (Completed by the Faculty Member): An evaluation of the applicant's qualifications and the significance of the proposed research. This should be completed by a person familiar with the research and the student, such as a thesis advisor. The faculty member will complete and submit the appraisal of the applicant directly to SEG to maintain confidentiality.

SEG no longer accepts PDFs, emailed, or faxed applications or appraisals. oth portions of the application must be completed via the online form.

Part I and Part II must be submitted by the application deadline. Late submissions for either are not accepted.

Application Explanation

The following guide is meant to help students with the application.

What are your major areas of interest in economic geology?

  • State clearly your interests in the field of economic geology. Be specific.
  • What do you like most about this discipline (e.g., field work, mapping, exploration, geochemistry, lab work, etc.)?
  • If you have worked on any ore deposit types, please mention them, or indicate the deposit type(s) you are most interested in studying

Describe briefly any undergraduate and/or graduate research projects that you have completed and/or have in progress. If you have not yet undertaken any research projects, do you have any research topics in mind? If so, describe them briefly.

  • Undergraduate research includes, but is not limited to, undergraduate thesis research, term papers, employment with, or assisting, professors on their research, specific projects during internships.
  • If you are currently pursuing a graduate research project in your first year, briefly describe the project, the methods you are or will utilize, and why it is important.

What are your career goals?

  • State clearly, but briefly, your career goals.

List any geology work experience that you have had.

  • List and briefly describe any relevant work experience that you have had (including part-time, full-time, internship(s), industry experience, or relevant non-industry experience).

Provide the name(s) of the university(ies) or institution(s) to which you have applied for graduate school admission and the status of your application(s). If you are currently enrolled at a university and pursuing your first year of graduate studies, provide the name of that university, principal advisor, and the status of your graduate studies.

Support.

  • Provide details of any financial or in-kind support that you are receiving or will receive, including funding applied for, during your graduate study. This should include whether you are planning to apply for an SEG Student Research Grant.

Please provide a brief biographical sketch, including educational and work history.

  • Relevant pre-university biographic information.
  • What motivated you to study geology and, more specifically, economic geology?
  • Outline any activities in which you are involved. For example, participation in student committees, organizing activities, engagement in student and/or department activities, and the general geological community.
  • Other relevant information may include:
    • Outreach and volunteer work.
    • Positions of leadership.
    • International exposure.
    • Languages known/spoken.

Two references letters

  • Please advise the person(s) providing a reference what the committee is looking for in the appraisal of the applicant.
    • References should outline the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant.
    • The academic record is important but so are the applicant's character and potential for success.
    • Describe any soft skills and leadership potential of the applicant.
    • Briefly describe the applicant’s passion for his or her interest in the field of economic geology.

Guideline for Use of Funds

Allowable personal expenses for GSF awarded funds include the following. Note that expenses should not be those otherwise coverable by the university or faculty budget.

  • School tuition.
  • Living costs (food, rent, internet, utilities, etc.).
  • Personal equipment that is needed for study/research.
  • Field gear (camera, hammer, boots, tent, clothes, etc.).
  • School equipment (textbooks, laptop, software).
  • Training/experience that benefits the student in their studies/research:
    • SEG field trips or course trips.
    • Training courses (e.g., software).
    • Short courses, workshops, post- or pre-conference field trips.
    • Conferences (if not otherwise covered).