Funding opportunities available to students can be found below.
Please direct general funding questions to sustainability@mtu.edu.
NextGen Climate Leaders Fund
- Applications accepted on a rolling basis through spring 2027
- Full-time students of any level are welcome to apply
Chernosky Climate Ambassador Award
- Undergraduate award open to full-time students with the equivalent of at least three semesters of full-time enrollment at Michigan Tech
- Applications open in January
Please see below for more information on each award.
NextGen Climate Leaders Fund
Are you passionate about tackling climate change and ready to develop the skills to make a real difference? The NextGen Climate Leaders Fund offers Michigan Tech students a unique opportunity to invest in their future as climate changemakers.
What is the NextGen Climate Leaders Fund?
Thanks to a generous alumni donation, this fund supports current full-time Michigan Tech students at any academic level who want to build networks, develop competencies, and strengthen their leadership capacity around climate change solutions.
Funding Details
- Award Amount: Up to $1,000 per student
- Application Timeline: Rolling basis through 2026
- Quick Review Process: All applications reviewed within 10 business days
What Can Be Funded?
The fund offers flexibility in how you use the money, but you must demonstrate how your proposed activity will:
- Develop your leadership skills
- Build your capacity to create a positive climate impact
Examples of Fundable Activities:
- Conference attendance
- Professional certifications in sustainability, renewable energy, or related fields
- Networking events and workshops
- Skills training programs
- Leadership development opportunities
Note for graduate students: Research expenses are ineligible. For proposed conference travel, please demonstrate how the experience is complementary to your research and coursework.
Ready to Apply?
To apply, fill out the NextGen Climate Leaders Fund Application form.
Before submitting an application, it is strongly encouraged you reach out to Lauren Furey, Sustainability Program Manager, to discuss fundable opportunities: lafurey@mtu.edu
Not sure where to start?
That's okay! Please reach out to Lauren Furey, Sustainability Program Manager, with any questions: lafurey@mtu.edu.
Lauren is available to talk through ideas and help identify professional development offerings aligned with student interest.
Check out this list of sustainability professional development opportunities for more ideas!
Chernosky Climate Ambassador Award
Are you an undergraduate student at Michigan Tech with a passion for sustainability and climate action? We invite you to apply for the fifth annual Frank Chernosky Campus Climate Ambassador Award.
This alumni-funded award is named after Frank Chernosky, a former professor and advisor at Michigan Tech. Mr. Chernosky was an early advocate for sustainability principles who impacted many students before dying tragically from a rare form of Heart Cancer in 1971. The award consists of three forms of student support: a partial tuition scholarship, funds for professional development and/or applied work, and a formal mentorship by campus and/or external professionals. One recipient will be chosen annually.
The award for 2026-27 will be $9,600 – a scholarship amount of $8,000 spread over fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters, and a professional development and applied work fund of up to $1,600 to be used by August 2027. Awardees will also receive active mentorship from campus and/or external professionals to help them develop networks and skills for their future work. The overall timetable for the award is flexible to accommodate opportunities such as a co-op or internship. Applicants and award recipients will solidify the details on the timing of the award, as well as the nature of mentorship and professional development, through the application process and dialogue with the committee.
To be considered, an applicant must be a full-time undergraduate student at Michigan Tech with the equivalent of at least three semesters of full-time enrollment at Michigan Tech by the fall of 2026. They must also have a minimum of two semesters of coursework remaining, though there is potential for flexibility to accommodate an internship or coop into the award timeframe.
Ready to apply?
Applications for the 2027-28 academic year will open in early 2027.
The committee will make a decision by mid April. Interested students should draft their application early and are encouraged to discuss their ideas with Alan Turnquist, Director of Sustainability and Resilience, before applying (sustainability@mtu.edu).