Henry David Thoreau Scholarship Overview
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.
Financial Support
Each year, we select a new class of Thoreau Scholars: eight to ten top-ranking high school seniors from Massachusetts who demonstrate the potential for environmental leadership and intend to pursue interdisciplinary environmental studies in college. Each Thoreau Scholar receives a four-year scholarship of up to $20,000. In addition, Thoreau Scholars are eligible for an environmental internship stipend, which usually takes place between junior and senior year.
Support for Environmental Study
Recognizing that environmental concerns intersect with a wide range of fields—from oceanography to bioterrorism to the design of transportation systems—we encourage students to pursue curricular and professional opportunities that speak to their passions. Students ground their education in environmental studies, taking at least 25% of their coursework in subjects related to the environment. They then forge connections with other disciplines like business, economics, education, public health and policy, resulting in an interdisciplinary understanding of the environmental challenges facing society. Most Thoreau Scholars pursue one or more internships, helping them to better interpret and address environmental challenges through a variety of lenses, whether economic, historical, or socio-political.
Thoreau Scholar Requirements
If selected as a Thoreau Scholar, you must:
- enroll at an accredited college or university of your choice
- carry 25% of your undergraduate coursework in subjects related to the environment (you may choose any major/minor)
- submit an annual report of your activities in the environmental field, including academic courses
- provide an official copy of your transcript at the end of each semester and maintain greater than a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
In addition, Henry David Thoreau Scholars are strongly encouraged to secure and complete an internship in the environmental field, which commonly occurs between their junior and senior year. Scholars may apply to the Selection Committee for an internship stipend.
Application
You must apply using our online application, which opens on October 15th.
The online application and any supplementary materials are due February 1st.
You will be notified of the Selection Committee’s decision by April 30th.Apply here:
