The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals (PAEP) is pleased to announce that the 14th Annual PAEP Environmental Science Scholarship application period is now open! The 2026 PAEP Scholarship application period is open through May 22, 2026.

PAEP will offer one $1,000 scholarship to a college freshman or sophomore, one $1,000 scholarship to a college junior or senior, and one $1,000 scholarship to an undergraduate student from a traditionally underrepresented group pursuing a degree in environmental science (or related major).  The scholarships additionally include free attendance at our 2026 PAEP Annual Conference scheduled for October 14-16, 2026 in State College, PA. See the links below for application instructions and materials. Please note that, if qualified, students may apply for more than one scholarship. 

Prospective applicants please keep in mind that dependents of PAEP members and student PAEP members receive bonus points in their application evaluation!  PAEP membership for students is free with completion of the online membership application form. If you have questions or require further information, please contact the PAEP Awards and Scholarship Co-Chairs, Kristin Aiosa (kaiosa@jmt.com) and Mike Kenawell (mkenawell@jmt.com).

PAEP offers three student scholarship awards each year for qualified full-time students in higher education. The three scholarships are:

Gifford Pinchot Scholarship

Named in honor of Gifford Pinchot, who is generally regarded as the "father" of American conservation because of his great and unrelenting concern for the protection of American forests. This scholarship is awarded to a freshman or sophomore in environmental science or related curriculum. 

To learn more about Gifford Pinchot, visit the U.S. Forest Service History’s website

https://foresthistory.org/research-explore/us-forest-service-history/people/chiefs/gifford-pinchot-1865-1946/.

Maurice Goddard Scholarship

In honor of Maurice Goddard, the ‘Patriarch of Pennsylvania State Parks’, this scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior in environmental science or related curriculum.

To learn more about Maurice K. Goddard, as well as  other Pennsylvania Conservation Leaders please visit the Pennsylvania Conservation Heritage Project.

https://paconservationheritage.org/stories/who-s-who-the-headliners/

(PAEP is one of many organizations partnering with the PA Conservation Heritage Project!)

Zulene Mayfield Scholarship

Named in honor of Zulene Mayfield who is an activist and leader fighting for pollution accountability, this scholarship is awarded to a student of any year standing and enrolled in environmental science or related curriculum and is part an underrepresented group in higher education enrollees.

To learn more about Zulene Mayfield and CRCQL, visit the Pennsylvania Conservation Heritage Project website https://paconservationheritage.org/stories/ CRCQL’s website https://chesterpaej.org/.

The 2026 PAEP Scholarship is now open. 

Membership Application Form