Funds & Awards

The GSA Foundation manages over 120 funds that support GSA Programs, Divisions, Sections, and Specialized Research Grants and Awards.

Many of these funds honor individuals and continue their legacies by supporting work and students in various geoscience fields.

The GSA Foundation professionally manages these endowments and ensures they fulfill donors’ intent.

Each year, GSA is able to make hundreds of awards to students, researchers, and practitioners thanks to the generosity of those who funded them—and continue to do so.

You can search for a fund to donate to or select from the dropdown menu.

If you are interested in endowing a new fund, please contact our staff

GSA Foundation Funds


Please click on the name of any fund to view further details and donate, or use the search box below to find a specific fund by name or subject area:

  • *Write In Fund*

  • 36th International Geological Congress

  • Alexander and Geraldine Wanek Research Award

  • Alexander Sisson Research Award

  • Allan V. Cox Research Award

  • Antoinette Lierman Medlin Award

  • Arthur D. Howard Research Award

  • Arthur L. Day Medal

  • Arthur Sylvester Field Camp Scholarship Fund

  • Ben van der Pluijm Graduate Student Research Grant Award.

Division Awards

Division Awards recognize exceptional contributions within specialized geoscience disciplines, honoring students and professionals for outstanding research, leadership, and dedication to their field.


  • Continental Scientific Drilling Division Fund

  • Curtis-Hedberg Petroleum Career Achievement Award

  • Diodato Hydrogeology Student Travel & Beer Fund

  • Geoarchaeology Division Fund

  • Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division Fund

  • Geology and Society Division Fund

  • Geophysics & Geodynamics Division Fund

  • Geoscience Education Division Fund

  • History and Philosophy of Geology Division Fund

  • Hydrogeology Division Fund

Section Funds

Section Awards recognize outstanding students and professionals within Sections in recognition of their achievements in geoscience research, leadership, and contributions to the geological community. Student travel grants are also provided by Sections.


  • Cordilleran Section Fund

  • GSA International

  • North-Central Section Fund

  • Northeastern Section Fund

  • Rocky Mountain Section Fund

  • South-Central Section Fund

  • Southeastern Section Fund

Field Camp Awards

Field Camp Awards help students offset the cost of geology field camps. This financial support allows more emerging geoscientists attend field camp so they can gain essential hands-on training and real-world field experience.


  • Arthur Sylvester Field Camp Scholarship Fund

  • Ed Evenson Field Camp Scholarship Fund

  • J. David Lowell Field Camp Scholarship Program

Student Research Awards

Student Research Awards provide funding to undergraduate and graduate students to support innovative geological research, helping emerging scientists gain hands-on experience while advancing the understanding of Earth’s processes.


  • Alexander and Geraldine Wanek Research Award

  • Alexander Sisson Research Award

  • Allan V. Cox Research Award

  • Antoinette Lierman Medlin Award

  • Arthur D. Howard Research Award

  • Ben van der Pluijm Graduate Student Research Grant Award.

  • Brian G. Katz Environmental Research Grant in Groundwater Quality Enhancements

  • Charles A. and June R.P. Ross Research Award

  • Claude C. Albritton Memorial Research Grant

  • Denton, Andrews, Porter Glacial Geology Award

  • Donald R. Coates Geomorphology Student Research Fund

  • Dr. Thomas C. Winter Graduate Student Research Award

  • El-Baz Desert Research Award

  • El-Baz Research Grant

  • Eugene M. and Carolyn S. Shoemaker Memorial Award for Crater Studies

  • Gary Fuis and Stacey Andrews Fund

  • Grant and Jody Heiken Research Grant in Volcanology

  • Gretchen L. Blechschmidt Research Fund

  • Harold T. Stearns Research Award

  • Howard R. Gould and Marilyn B. Gould Student Research Grant Fund

  • Ian S.E. Carmichael Research Award

  • J. Hoover Mackin Research Award

  • Jack Hess Karst Research Award

  • Jack Kleinman Memorial Fund for Volcano Research

  • John A. Black Research Award

  • John D. Vitek Periglacial and Alpine Geomorphology Award

  • John T. and Carol G. McGill Research Fund

  • John T. Dillon Research Award

  • Judith Totman Parrish Graduate Student Grant 

  • Kay Family Legacy Research Grant Fund

  • Kerry Kelts Research Award

  • Lauren A. Wright & Bennie W. Troxel Research Award

  • Laurence L. Sloss Award

  • Leona and Alex Kish Research Grants Fund

  • Lincoln S and Sarah W. Hollister Graduate Student Research Awards

  • Lipman Research Award

  • Marland Pratt Billings and Katherine Fowler-Billings Research Award

  • Maurice “Ric” Terman Research Award

  • Michele Aldrich History and Philosophy of Geology Student Research Award

  • Parke D. Snavely, Jr., Research Award

  • Peter Birkeland Soil Geomorphology Award

  • Richard & Annette Wohl Award for Graduate Student Research Fund

  • Richard B. and Cynthia W. Waitt Research Award for Field-based Research

  • Robert D. Hatcher Award

  • Roy J. Shlemon Research Award

  • Sam Bowring Geochronology Fund

  • Shroder Mass Movement Fund

  • Stanley A. Schumm Research Grant Award

  • Stephen E. Laubach Research Award in Structural Diagenesis

  • Storrs Cole Memorial Research Award

  • Tim Wawrzyniec Research Fund

  • Troy L. PĂ©wĂ© Award

  • Victor R. Baker Graduate Student Research Grant Award

  • William B. & Dorothy Heroy Research Grant

Recognition Awards

Recognition Awards honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the geosciences through outstanding research, leadership, service, and dedication to advancing the understanding of Earth and its processes.


  • Arthur L. Day Medal

  • Bruce L. “Biff” Reed Research Award

  • Bruce R. and Karen H. Clark Fund Supporting Geoscience Communication

  • Donald L. Biggs Memorial Education Award

  • Donath Medal/Young Scientist Award

  • Doris M. Curtis Outstanding Woman in Science Award

  • Gilbert H. Cady Award

  • Gladys W. Cole Research Award

  • Halbouty Distinguished Lecturer Fund

  • James B. Thompson, Jr., Award

GSA Programs

Program Awards support research, education, outreach, professional development, and aspiring scientists—helping advance the geosciences and strengthen the global geological community.


  • Desmond & Judy Pretorius Field Forum Support

  • Diversity and Inclusion Fund

  • GeoCorps America Fund

  • Geological Society of America Foundation Operating Fund

  • GeoTeachers Program Fund

  • Greatest Needs of GSA

  • GSA Policy Office

  • GSA Science Policy Fellow

  • John Montagne Award

  • Meetings Fund

Student Travel

Student Travel Awards provide financial assistance to help students attend and present their research at scientific meetings, fostering professional development, networking, and the sharing of new discoveries within the geoscience community.


  • 36th International Geological Congress

  • Charles Lum Drake International Travel Grant

  • Christopher I. and Irene N. Chalokwu Travel Grant for Students in Africa

How to apply for awards

GSA administers the selection process for awards, grants, and scholarships. Please visit the GSA Grants and Scholarships page for application instructions and deadlines.


If you have questions or need help to apply for a specific fund, please contact the Director of the Center for Professional Excellence at GSA.