Support Student Fellowships

The Bren School is a school of environmental problem solvers, addressing the most pressing challenges today and training the next generation of environmental leaders. A commitment to supporting students is fundamental to the Bren School’s continued excellence, and an area in which donors can have a direct and personal impact on individual lives. 

The Bren School requires all Master of Environmental Science and Management students to complete internships between their first and second year of study as part of its emphasis on professional, real-world experience. Summer Internship Fellowships provide the resources necessary for students to pursue these often low or non-paid opportunities. Awarded to the most promising individuals, these fellowships enable students to forge powerful connections, gain practical experience, and advance toward their career goals. 

Recruiting and Retention Fellowships help the Bren School attract and retain the most outstanding students. Based on merit and need, these fellowships are awarded to students who demonstrate the greatest promise as future environmental problem solvers. Rising tuition costs have made it difficult for the Bren School to compete with older academic institutions with larger endowments. Given this, gifts of $2,500 or more are recognized as named fellowships. Smaller gifts directed toward either Summer Internship Fellowships or Recruiting and Retention Fellowships are pooled and directed toward the academic year’s cohort of fellowship recipients. 

Special Opportunities Fund (SOF) supports valuable professional outreach and networking opportunities at high-level conferences. By underwriting attendance expenses, these awards grant Master’s students the chance to both refine their presentation skills, differentiate themselves from others in the field, and elevate the Bren School’s reputation. The SOF was conceived and initially funded by John and Karen Jostes to complement their named Summer Internship Fellowship. Now, they invite other donors to join them in contributing $5,000 or more annually to provide this unique bundle of fellowships and special opportunities to bolster students’ career aspirations.

Endowed Student Fellowships are especially valuable toward ensuring the Bren School’s ability to continue attracting top scholars over the long term. Fellowships may be endowed and named in perpetuity with one-time gifts of $50,000 or more.