The Carson Scholars Program is a one-year education in the art of science communication. Carson Scholars have the opportunity to explore their own motivations and science stories and develop ways to share their work in ways that are meaningful and engaging, not only to other researcher in their fields, but to non-specialist audience as well. In collaborating with their peers, the Carson faculty mentors, participating in workshops and putting their communication skills to work, Carson Scholars go on to secure more funding by way of scholarships and fellowships, share their knowledge through op-eds and community events and event secure faculty positions after graduation.

Included in the fellowship is a $5,500 graduate scholarship to exceptional University of Arizona (UA) graduate students committed to interdisciplinary research on environment and society. These scholarships are funded by a variety of UA units and private donors/foundations. The scholarships are designed to support and retain UA graduate students whose research is related to the environment and/or its intersection with social justice and who are interested in communicating science to a broad audience.

Once selected, Carson Scholars begin the program by attending an intensive weekend science communication retreat at Biosphere 2 run by UA faculty. Carson Scholars work with faculty mentors who, throughout the scholarship year, provide hands-on training and other resources to develop skills, strategies, and products to effectively convey the value of their research. Scholars will enhance their skills communicating science to a variety of audiences through multiple techniques, such as popular media and public speaking. Scholars will interact with a range of stakeholders interested in their work, from visiting scholars to area donors to k-12 students and undergraduates.

Carson Scholars join a growing network of researchers interested in a range of issues related to ecology, earth, and environmental sciences, including environmental and energy policy, environmental governance, climate science, solar and renewable energy, environmental education, global change, water, sustainability, wildlife and natural resources conservation, the intersection of arts and culture and the environment, and outreach to stakeholders.

Carson Scholars leave the program with a strong working knowledge of science communication skills. Many past scholars have harnessed these skills and tools to secure fellowships and scholarships and faculty positions following the completion of their graduate work.

Carson Scholars continue to participate in the network after completing the program, providing them with opportunities for collaboration and skills that can inform and enhance their future professional efforts. The Institute of the Environment works to sustain the network of Carson alumni by promoting scholar accomplishments and publications and by encouraging interaction among current and former recipients of the award.

• A scholarship of $5,500 for the 2025-2026
  • Split into two payments of $2,500 in the Fall and Spring semesters
• Specialized training in environmental communication
• Opportunities for publication
• Opportunities for public speaking
• Support from University of Arizona Faculty and Graduate Mentors
• Opportunities for networking in and beyond your Carson Scholars year
• Ability to apply for the Rafe Sagarin Travel Award

UA PhD, JD students, or UA master’s students in terminal master's creative or professional programs are eligible to apply. Applicants should be in or beyond the second year of their program starting in Fall 2025. Current and past Carson Scholars are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must be:

• In residence on campus (actively enrolled at UA main campus – not doing fieldwork somewhere for the majority of the scholarship period) for the calendar year they are selected
• Involved in research related to the environment and/or its intersection with social justice
• Committed to fulfilling the requirements of the scholarship (attending the retreat, all workshops and completing speaking and writing projects)
• Flexible and willing to work with your peer scholars and mentors in giving and receiving constructive critical feedback
• Committed to your cohort by having a positive attitude, being a strong team-player, a good collaborator, and wanting to support your peers as they support you

1. Application survey

   • Preview application survey questions here: 

     Document

     Carson-Scholars-2026-27-Application-Questions.pdf
2.  750-word essay containing the following:
   • A description of your current or intended research/scholarship area (targeted to a layperson audience, i.e. try to avoid too much jargon, explain your terms where necessary).
   • Your communication interests and experience with respect to environmental topics and those areas where you seek to improve your skills.
   • Your ability to work with, contribute to, and learn from a vibrant cohort of mentors and peers.
   • How a Carson scholarship will help you develop various skill-sets to communicate and translate your research to diverse, broader audiences.
3. CV (no more than 5 pages).
4. Two faculty references, with at least one being from the applicant's faculty advisor or a professor familiar with your scholarly work.
   • Recommenders will receive a short survey to fill out on the applicant's behalf after the application period has closed. 

All documentation will be uploaded through the application survey as a single PDF document.. 

• Attend the overnight Carson Scholars retreat at Biosphere 2
  • Saturday August 29th-30th, 2026
• Attend monthly Carson Scholars Discovery Workshops
  • Third Thursday of each month, 10am-12pm
• Attend 2-3 group writing workshops per year
• Complete a communication project to publish to a general audience
  • Carson Scholars will work with their mentors to select and complete a communication project
  • Projects can take the form of an article/essay, creative writing piece, video, photo essay, infographic series, podcast episode, etc. We are open to your ideas!
• Speak publicly at at least one outreach event during the scholarship year
• Attend Carson Scholars graduation at the end of the year

Application Deadline: Monday February 16th, 2026

Recommender Emails Sent: Week of February 16th-20th 

Recommender Survey Deadline: Monday March 9th, 2026

Notification of Selection: Late March - Early April 2026

2026-2027 Academic Year Dates:

• Biosphere 2 Retreat: Saturday August 29th - Sunday August 30th
• Monthly Workshops: Third Friday of the month, 10am-12pm
  • September 18th, 2026
  • October 16th, 2026
  • November 19th, 2026
  • January 22nd, 2027
  • February 19th, 2027
  • March 19th, 2027

Please contact:

Maia Schneider at maiaschneider@arizona.edu