Charlotte Zieve Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria
This award supports students whose studies or research explore the intersection of environmental issues and women’s experiences or environmental and social justice issues affecting women. Priority consideration will be given to students that engage with communities, including but not limited to those in developing nations. Applicants should demonstrate how their studies or research integrate service learning or community engagement to create meaningful impact and deepen understanding of these interconnected issues.

Student applicants must be enrolled full-time in and actively pursuing one of the following Nelson Institute programs: 1) Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Studies, 2) Undergraduate Major in Environmental Studies, 3) Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability, 4) MS in Environment and Resources, 5) MS in Water Resources Management, or 6) PhD in Environment and Resources.

Student applicants must be in good academic standing, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Student applicants who are at least one full academic year away from graduation will be given special preference for this scholarship award.

Donor Information
This scholarship award is provided via private philanthropy from the estate of Charlotte and Edward Zieve. Charlotte was a Nelson Institute alumna (PhD, Land Resources) and activist who lent her strength and voice to the causes of education, women’s rights, social justice, and environmentalism all over the globe. She was a delegate to the United Nations Conferences on Women and traveled to Cairo, Beijing, and South Africa. She was particularly committed to improving the lives of women in Malawi.

Award Information
One $3,000 scholarship is available to be awarded during the Spring 2026 scholarship competition.

Applicants will be notified of their selection in April 2026 and will be honored at the Nelson Institute’s Recognition Reception to be held in the Fall of 2026.

Contact: Tara Mohan, temohan@wisc.edu