GSA Research Grants
GSA – The Geological Society of America is a nonprofit organization engaged in geosciences. This organization was established by in 1888. This scientific research society has 21,000 members in over 85 countries. This organization is involved in sponsoring scientific meetings. It also publishes scientific literature and journals.
Geological Society of America has many divisions –
Archaeological Geology, Coal Geology, History of Geology and Geobiology & Geomicrobiology etc.
Geology- This field is part of the scientific studies. It involves study of the history, structure, composition and processes of the planet earth. The field of geology has its own importance. It helps in mineral and hydrocarbon extraction and also it is very useful for the prediction of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Geology also serves other disciplines of science and engineering fields.
Geologists – The work of a Geologist involves understanding the history of earth. A better understanding about the history of this planet helps them understand the current environmental issues more efficiently and clearly. Geologists understand all the different processes like earthquakes, landslides, floods and volcanic eruptions that occur on earth. As they have better understanding of these things, they know it well that which areas are prone to natural disasters and this way, they help in the development of communities and inform authorities about areas where protection is required to save people from flood, earthquake or any other disaster. So, the field of geology is really beneficial to the mankind.
Today, the number of geologists working all over the world is not high. The field of Geology requires higher studies and higher studies mean high amount of money to complete your degree. Now, not every student can afford this type of education. There may be hundreds of thousands of students who want to become Geologists, but they do not have the required money to obtain their degree.
The Geological Society of America offers its financial aid help to these students. This scientific research society helps the talented and deserving students with its research grants.
Research Grants from Geological Society of America –
1. Claude C. Albritton, Jr. Scholarships – This research grant from Geological Society of America is awarded to the graduate students who pursue studies in earth sciences and archaeology. Students must be a member of the Geological Society of America and legal citizens of America. There is only 1 award available.
Grant Money – $500 – $1000
2. Gretchen L. Blechschmidt Award – This research grant is awarded by GSA to women who are interested in PhD level education in the geological sciences and want to work in the field of academic research. Members of the Geological Society of America are eligible for this award.
Grant Money – $1,300
3. John T. Dillon Alaska Research Award – This grant from GSA is given to support research studies in the field of earth science problems related particularly to the region of Alaska. Graduate students are eligible for this research grant. There is only 1 award.
Grant Money – $2,900.
4. S.E. Dwornik Student Paper Awards – This GSA research grant offers two awards for graduate students who study planetary geology.
Grant Money – $1,000
5. Robert K. Fahnestock Memorial Award – This GSA research grant offers its help to the graduate students who research in sediment transport or fluvial geomorphology. There is only one grant.
Grant Money – $2000
6. Geological Society of America Student Research Grants – This GSA grant helps students for their master’s and doctoral research. It offers 250 grants annually.
Grant Money – $3000
7. Arthur D. Howard Research Grants – This GSA grant supports graduate students who research in Quaternary geology or geomorphology. It mainly focuses on Earth Science; Physical Sciences and Math and Natural Resources. There is 1 award only.
Grant Money – $2500
8. Lipman Research Award – This GSA award supports graduate research in the fields of volcanology and petrology. It mainly focuses on Earth Science. 1 award is offered.
Grant Money – $3,500
9. J. Hoover Mackin Research Grants – This GSA grant supports graduate students who research in Quaternary geology or geomorphology. It focuses on math, earth science and physical sciences. There is only 1 award offered.
Grant Money – $2,500
10. A.L. Medlin Scholarship – This grant research grant from Geological Society of America is given to the students who are engaged in researches related to coal geology. There are 2 awards offered.
Grant Money – $3,500
11. John Montagne Award – This Geological Society of America helps students who research in quaternary/geomorphology. There is only 1 award offered.
Grant Money – $650
12. Alexander Sisson Award – This GSA research grant helps graduate students who pursue research in the regions of Caribbean and Alaska. It offers 1 award.
Grant Money – $2400
The ‘Stephen E. Laubach Structural Diagenesis Research Award’ and the ‘Farouk El-Baz Student Research Grant’ are also offered by the Geological Society of America.
Conditions – To be eligible for these grants one needs to be a member of the Geological Society of America. The applicants must be full time students and they should be legal citizens of America.
Career Prospectus –
There is no doubt that Geology is a very interesting field and thus, you will never get bored, if you love nature.
A four-year college degree is required to be a Geologist. Students who want to become Geologists should choose courses like geography, science, math and computers in their college education.
There is no single type of work environment for Geologists. There are many areas where a geologist can work –
Government Agencies
Natural Resource Companies
Environmental Consulting Companies
Non-Profit Organizations
Educational Institutes
Working in laboratories and preparing reports is a common for geologists.
There are many employment opportunities for the Geologists. Starting salary of a Geologist can range anywhere from $50,000 – $100,000.
There is a huge demand of geologists in the USA and there is financial aid help available to the people who want to choose Geology as their career.
