Student Funding Opportunities

This scholarship supports emerging sustainability leaders who demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental problem-solving, community partnership, and advancing social and ecological well-being. The program seeks students who aim to apply their graduate education toward tangible, community-centered environmental solutions.

A limited number of scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 will be awarded to students enrolling in CSUN's M.A. in Sustainability Program for the first time in Fall 2026.

 

Criteria for selection**

• Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Commitment to environmental problem-solving and sustainability
• Leadership experience and potential
• Communication skills, including writing, speaking, and listening
• Dedication to community engagement and social equity
• Financial need

 

** Please note: CSUN's M.A. in Sustainability Program welcomes both applicants with direct sustainability experience and those who are newer to the field but demonstrate a strong passion for environmental problem-solving.

 We especially encourage applicants from any of our four program areas (Environmental Science, Community Well-being and Social Justice, Corporate Sustainability, and Sustainability Policy and Government) who seek to apply their graduate training toward measurable, community-centered environmental solutions and systems-level change. First-generation college students and individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in sustainability graduate programs are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

How to apply:

1. Apply to CSUN’s M.A. in Sustainability Program.
2. In addition to the required admission materials, please submit a personal statement (500 words maximum) to masustainability@csun.edu with the subject line “Community Impact Scholar Application.”
   • Your personal statement should describe your educational and career goals and how you intend to apply your graduate training to address real-world environmental challenges in collaboration with communities and diverse stakeholders.
   • Please explain how your experiences and/or aspirations reflect the Scholarship selection criteria, including your development as a sustainability leader. 
3. The selection committee will review your personal statement alongside the recommendation letters and other materials that you submitted as part of your application to the M.A. program.

 Deadlines:

• Priority Deadline: May 1, 2026
  • Two Community Impact Scholars will be selected from applicants who submit complete M.A. program and fellowship applications by this date. 
• Final Deadline: July 1, 2026

 Please note: The scholarship funds will be disbursed in two installments, in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters. Students must be enrolled in CSUN’s M.A. in Sustainability Program in order to receive the funds. If you are receiving Financial Aid (including loans), your financial aid award(s) may be adjusted if you receive a scholarship amount that exceeds your financial aid total limit. Speak to a financial aid counselor during walk-in hours to get a detailed overview about your individual situation.

 

 

 

Student Sustainability Research Assistant 

Student Sustainability Research Incentive Program (SSRIP) 

Position Overview 

The Student Sustainability Research Assistant will support CSUN’s sustainability goals through applied research, data analysis, and project-based work aligned with the university’s Roadmap to Sustainability. This position provides hands-on experience working on real-world sustainability initiatives in collaboration with the MA Sustainability Program Director and the Facilities Sustainability Team. 

There are three distinct Student Assistant positions available, one in each focus area below. Students will apply ranking the projects based on interest and skills. 

Available Positions & Project Categories 

1. Zero Waste Research Assistant This position supports CSUN’s Zero Waste initiatives through research, assessment, and implementation support focused on waste reduction, diversion, and behavior change. Project details can be found here.  
2. Transportation Research Assistant This position supports sustainability and emissions-reduction efforts related to campus transportation systems and programs, aligned with CSUN’s Transportation Demand Management Plan. Project details can be found here.  
3. Roadmap to Sustainability Research Assistant This position supports broader sustainability planning and innovation efforts aligned with CSUN’s Roadmap to Sustainability. Projects may span multiple focus areas such as energy, water, climate, equity, or emerging sustainability priorities. The applicant must specify a project from the plan that they are interested in working on as part of their application.  If you are interested in this option, please review the potential projects that are part of CSUN's Road Map To Sustainability.  

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Under limited supervision, the Student Sustainability Research Assistant will: 

• Conduct applied sustainability research relevant to the selected project area 

• Collect, analyze, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data 

• Review existing CSUN sustainability policies, programs, and performance metrics 

• Identify gaps, opportunities, and best practices to inform recommendations 

• Develop written deliverables such as reports, briefs, or presentations 

• Participate in regular check-ins with the MA Sustainability Program Director and Facilities Sustainability Team 

• Collaborate with campus partners, faculty, and staff as needed 

• Present findings and recommendations to campus stakeholders at the conclusion of the project 

Qualifications 

Required: 

• Current CSUN Graduate Student in the MA in Sustainability Program 

• Demonstrated interest in sustainability, climate, or environmental issues 

• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills 

• Ability to work independently and manage project timelines 

• Strong communication and collaboration skills 

Appointment Details

• Schedule: Approximately 5–8 hours per week 

• Classification: Student Assistant IV 

• Hourly Rate: $20.00 per hour 

• Length of Appointment: Spring 2026 semester, with potential for continuation 

• Number of Positions: 3 total (one per project category) 

Program Benefits 

Students participating in SSRIP will: 

• Gain hands-on experience with high-impact campus sustainability projects 

• Build applied research and project management skills 

• Work directly with the MA Sustainability Program Manager and Facilities Sustainability Team 

• Strengthen resumes and portfolios with real-world deliverables 

• Contribute meaningfully to CSUN’s sustainability and climate goals 

How to Apply 

Interested candidates should submit their application using the form linked below and be sure to attach a copy of a resume and a brief cover letter. 

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019c35145a85763597a0ff328760acc5  

The purpose of this award is to recognize excellent applied research in sustainability and provide financial support for graduate student research activities that are a required part of CSUN's M.A. in Sustainability Program. Two awards of $1,000 each will be given to outstanding Sustainability graduate students who have completed or will be completing degree requirements by August 18, 2026.

The determining factors for the award are based on evidence of distinguished scholarship through a graduate research presentation, promise for making a positive impact in the area of sustainability, and a minimum GPA of 3.0. The award recipients will be announced at the M.A. in Sustainability Program’s hooding ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2026. For questions regarding this award opportunity, please contact the Sustainability MA program at masustainability@csun.edu.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must have been enrolled in a CSUN’s M.A. in Sustainability Program during the Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026 terms.
• Graduate CSUN GPA must be greater than or equal to 3.00.
• Applicants must have completion of graduate degree requirements during Spring 2026 terms or Summer 2026 terms
• Applicants must show evidence of distinguished scholarship through a graduate research presentation and promise for making a positive impact in the area of sustainability
• Applicants must upload a complete application
• The award recipient is expected to attend the M.A. in Sustainability Program’s hooding ceremony on Friday May 15, 2026to receive the award.

Application Procedure

A complete application includes the following components:

1. Cover sheet that includes your Project Title, your name, project abstract (350 words maximum), and narrative discussion of how your research and past experiences support your post-graduation goals (350 words maximum)
2. Resume, two-page maximum, that includes your education, academic and professional-related job positions (if any), and any creative, academic, and professional contributions to sustainability.

Please submit your materials to the masustainability@csun.edu by 5:00 PM on Monday, April 20, 2026. 

Awardees must agree to write a short description of their project, provide a photograph and short biography of themselves, and participate in a brief interview that will be published through the M.A. in Sustainability Program’s newsletter and social media outlets.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submit your application no later than Monday, April 20, 2026, by 5:00 PM, to masustainability@csun.edu