2025 Scholarship Opportunity
The Hell Creek Paleontological Society Scholarship application process is designed to support individuals pursuing their education in paleontology, geology, or related fields. Scholarships are awarded to fund various educational expenses at any accredited university or college within the United States, with the primary goal of advancing the applicant's knowledge and expertise in their chosen field. Each year, a minimum of one and a maximum of three scholarships will be granted, and the maximum award amount for each scholarship is $1,000.00. One noteworthy aspect of this opportunity is its inclusivity, as both members and non-members of the Society are encouraged to apply and demographics (race, ethnicity, financial situation, etc.) will not be collected or reviewed, thereby widening access to educational funding in paleontology.
The evaluation of scholarship applications is entrusted to the Society's elected scientific committee, who carefully assess each applicant's qualifications, dedication, and potential contributions to the field. Final approval for all awards rests with the Society's Board, ensuring a fair and thorough selection process. In addition to receiving financial support, scholarship recipients are expected to fulfill reporting requirements by sharing their experiences and outcomes with the Society. This can be achieved through either a brief presentation at a regular Society meeting or by submitting a note for publication in the Society newsletter. These reporting requirements not only provide transparency but also enable scholarship recipients to give back to the community by sharing their educational journey and the impact of the scholarship.
Applications for 2025 will be accepted from January 1st to March 31st, 2025. Notice of award will be sent to selected recipients no later than April 30th, 2025, with awards being mailed by May 30th, 2025.
Completed applications must be emailed and submitted with supporting documents (essays, reference letters, etc.) uploaded as attachments. Please email all required materials to: scholarships@thehellcreekpaleosociety.org
Congratulations to 2025 HCPS Scholarship Recipient: Amy Sheehan - Undergraduate
Amy is finishing up her sophomore year at the University of Maryland. She is an Environmental Science & Policy major with a minor in Paleobiology. She has been enjoying studying under Dr. Thomas Holtz and visiting the National Museum of Natural History for presentations, as well as visits for leisure. She is looking forward to visiting South Dakota this summer to participate in a paleontological dig. She is very excited to continue studying at the University of Maryland for the next two years, where she will take plenty more paleontology courses.
2025 HCPS Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to 2025 HCPS Scholarship Recipient: Beatrice Bugos - Graduate/Postdoctoral
Beatrice Bugos is a PhD student at the University of Wyoming working with Dr. Ellen Currano. She graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Puget Sound with a fascination for plant responses to their environment. As a plant ecologist turned paleobotanist, Bugos researches how fossil forests from the Early Ecoene Climatic Optimum (EECO, ~51-53 Ma) recover after a disturbance, like a flood. Bugos is comparing plant physiological and morphological traits between modern proxy forests and EECO fossil forests. Beyond research, she enjoys teaching Wyoming K-12 students about the fossils they can find in their backyard, getting outside, and traveling.
Congratulations to 2024 HCPS Scholarship Recipient: Megan Oddie - Undergraduate
Megan is going into her senior year at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she is an Earth and environmental science student. She is very excited to explore more of the different fields of Earth science in her classes this coming year and receive more hands-on experience through the fieldwork and lab portions of her coursework. Following her graduation, she is interested in pursuing a masters degree in paleontology/geology and is currently searching for institutions she can enroll in for fall 2025.
Congratulations to 2025 HCPS Scholarship Recipient: Cameron Muskelley - Undergraduate
Cameron Muskelly is an accomplished science communicator and a self-taught Paleontologist here in Georgia. He studies fossils found in the Southern US. Cameron will be pursuing a Geology degree at Georgia State University.
2024 HCPS Scholarship Recipient
