Application Deadline: 2 March 2026
Fund your Sustainability Research with the EREF Graduate Scholarships 2026: Apply Now
The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) is inviting Master’s and PhD students to apply for its 2026 Graduate Scholarship Programme, supporting research in solid waste management, circular economy, and environmental sustainability. The scholarship empowers emerging researchers with financial support to advance impactful, solution-oriented research.
Scholars receive:
- Funding support of up to $10,000 (Master’s) and $16,000 (PhD)
- Recognition from a leading foundation in environmental research
- Support for research excellence in waste and materials management
- Opportunity to contribute to real-world sustainability solutions
About EREF Graduate Scholarships
The Garbageman’s Invitational (GMI) was founded in 2010 by Kerry Holmes (Vice President of Sales, Consolidated Fabricators), Mike Melideo (Owner, Consolidated Fabricators) and Ray Burke (Vice President, Clean Energy). These three men set out to create a unique annual networking event for their customers and prospects in the solid waste and recycling industry throughout the United States and Canada.
The sponsors of the Garbageman’s Invitational felt strongly that there should be an element of “giving back” to the industry. “As the leader in solid waste research and education, EREF was an easy choice as the charity to benefit from the event,” said Kerry Holmes. “EREF, with its presence throughout North America, is well aligned with the Garbageman’s Invitational’s goal to attract more industry leaders throughout the United States and Canada.”
100% of any donations made to EREF through the Garbageman’s Invitational will fund graduate students pursuing excellence in solid waste management research and education.
Benefits
- Scholarship amounts take into account tuition costs and other funding received.
- Students with full-tuition scholarships from other sources may not receive full awards but can still be considered for partial scholarships.
- Doctoral students can receive up to $15,000 per year, paid monthly, with the possibility of extension until graduation.
- Master’s students can receive up to $7,500 per year, also extendable until graduation.
- Renewal of funding depends on satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the student’s advisor.
EREF Graduate Scholarships Eligibility
- will be this year or are now a full-time master’s or doctoral student, and
- have a clearly demonstrated interest in solid waste management research. EREF defines solid waste management to pertain to municipal solid waste, construction & demolition waste, industrial waste (e.g. coal ash), WTE ash, etc. Note this definition does not include agricultural wastes or wastewater treatment plant sludge.
Application Details
- Applications must be submitted online in English; hard copies and emailed materials are not accepted.
- Contact details, career interests, college information, tuition and living expenses, other funding sources, GPA, academic honors, and extracurricular activities are required.
- English transcripts for all applicable degrees (Bachelors, MS, PhD) must be included; unofficial versions are accepted, but non-English transcripts are not.
- A personal statement (500 words or less) should highlight interest in solid waste management or sustainability, relevant academic or professional experiences, community service, career goals, and unique talents or leadership qualities.
- A research statement (500 words or less) must include project title, description, objectives, methodology, and expected impact on the solid waste sector; up to five references may be added.
- A current CV or resume must be provided.
- Three recommendation forms must be submitted by the chosen individuals through the online system, with instructions sent after the application is submitted.
- All applicants, including international students, are given equal consideration; decisions by the Environmental Research & Education Foundation are final.
VISIT THE PAGE HERE AND APPLY
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