Fellowships & Scholarships
All PhD students are fully funded by a combination of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
Some students may also pursue external fellowships. These fellowships are often prestigious and strengthen student profiles, making their CV stand out. Being awarded an external fellowship gives students greater flexibility in shaping their graduate experience.
Some of these fellowships include:
- National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Ford Foundation Fellowship
- Environmental Protection Agency Fellowships
- Fulbright US Student Program
- Hertz Foundation Fellowships
- Department of Energy Fellowships
- Department of Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships
- National Academies Fellowships
- Link Foundation Energy Fellowships
- The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Science and Technology Policy
- Switzer Foundation Grant Program
- National Water Research Institute
- Switzer Foundation Fellowships
- Society of Women Engineers
- Resources for the Future Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships
Fellowships for non-US citizens include:
- Link Foundation Energy Fellowships
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Aga Khan Foundation
- AAUW International Fellowships
- Ford Foundation International Fellowships
- Graduate Women International
- Schlumberger Foundation: Faculty for the Future Fellowships
For additional opportunities, visit the USC Viterbi site.
None of these lists are exhaustive. Consider opportunities beyond this list.
Additional Opportunities for Current Students
Below are a few additional resources and funding support for current students. This list is not exhaustive and students are encouraged to explore opportunities beyond what is listed.
Newly admitted and first year students are invited to participate in The Graduate School’s Summer Fellowship Boot Camp. The camp prepares students for the NSF and Ford Foundation fellowship applications. Students interested in applying to those fellowships are encouraged to apply for the boot camp. Additional information will be sent via email.
Scholarships available to Civil & Environmental Engineering students (at both the undergraduate and graduate level):
- Al Jorgensen Endowed Scholarship
- Beavers Heavy Construction Scholarship
- Frederick Angus Gross Scholarship
- Fuscoe Engineering Fellowship
- Hunsaker Civil Engineering Scholarship
- Robert Fulton Scholarship
- USC CMAA Student Scholarship
- Varos Chilingarian Fellowship in Civil Engineering
- Varos Chilingarian Fellowship in Environmental Engineering
- Walt Singer Fellowship
- Yen Scholarship in Environmental Engineering
- Ruthroff Civil Engineering Scholarship
Meet Students and Alumni
“There is an underlying sense of stewardship and a greater purpose embedded in the Environmental Engineering program, and that definitely made me feel at home. Also, being in Los Angeles, there are many opportunities to apply your education in the early stages of your career, and that was important to me. I secured two incredible internships out of my time at USC, and I think the location and prestige of USC had a lot to do with my ability to find work so easily. Every professor I had, not only taught me such valuable information, but also genuinely cared and believed in me. Without the relationships with my professors helping me grow, and investing in me, I would not be where I am today. My journey at USC has been unforgettable and life-changing. Not only did I gain an exceptional education, but the investment from my professors helped me realize my strengths and work on my weaknesses. I was able to fine-tune my passions and realized how I want to shape my career.”
Jessica Holmes,
MS Environmental Engineering, ‘19
Recipient of the Frederick Angus Gross Scholarship
Current Role: JD Candidate, Environmental Law at Lewis & Clark
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamholmes/
“The scholarship I received allowed me to continue pursuing my academic interests and concentrate more time on my program. After learning about the current environmental situation and corresponding treatments, I realized deeply we need more help creating a sustainable world.”
Kexin Shen,
MS Environmental Engineering, ‘22
Recipient of the Frederick Angus Gross Scholarship
Current Role: Environmental Engineer, Arcadis
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kexin-shen-ab711a1a8/
“Earning a scholarship was a stepping stone in helping me conquer my graduate educational journey. I have enjoyed the coursework here specializing in climate change and air quality and finding products and processes to combat these issues. In my future career, I would like to work for a company whose mission is to improve the state of not only our environment, but the entire world within engineering consulting.”
Sheyenne Harris, MS Environmental Engineering, ‘22
Recipient of the Frederick Angus Gross Scholarship