AWWA Scholarship & Award Program

AWWA Scholarship Program

Are you an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a career in the water sector? Are you attending a college or university in North America? Is your graduation date after December 2024? 

Frequently asked questions about AWWA Scholarships.

View AWWA YP Meeting Water Equation Scholarship Information Video:

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You may have never considered the water sector for you career, but there are scholarships available for engineering, water studies, policy, communications, technology, finance, legal and water research. Check out the scholarships available below for graduate and undergraduate studies.


American Water Works Association is developing the world’s largest scholarship program for the world’s largest water association. Currently offering over $200,000 in academic scholarships and achievement awards, our corporate donors trust the AWWA Water Equation to manage and collect applications from the best and the brightest students in North America, to guide the judging and ranking through a qualified scholarship committee, and to award the top candidates. The scholarships are mutually beneficial to the corporate sponsors and recipients, as they create a mentoring partnership which can result in an employment opportunity.

Corporate scholarships are an admirable way to show pride in the water industry, to support our workforce and to partner with AWWA’s philanthropy. Scholarships are formalized each summer for the scholarship application process. For more information please contact Sr. Manager of Development Michelle Hektor at 303-734-3613 or mhektor@awwa.org.


Congratulations to the 2022 AWWA Scholarship Program Recipients
$194,000 in Academic Scholarships for water studies:
AWWA Dr. Abel Wolman Fellowship | Chamteur Oh | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
AWWA Dr. Abel Wolman Fellowship-Year 2 | Anushka Misshra | McKelvey School of Engineering
Carollo Bryant L. Bench | Himanshu Prashant Sail | University of Texas Austin
HDR One Water Institute | Sangsuk Lee | University of Colorado Boulder
Jacobs Holly A. Cornell | Gia Ha | Virginia Tech
Stantec | Anna Feldman | Yale University
AWWA Larson Aquatics Research-Phd | Adam Uliana | University of California Berkeley
AWWA Larson Aquatics Research-Masters | Andromede Uwase | University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
AECOM | Karl Zimmermann | University of British Columbia
American Water | Hannah Greenwald | University of California Berkeley
Arcadis Diversity | Onja Davidson Raoelison | University California Los Angeles
AWWA President’s | Promita Das | University of Saskatchewan
AWWA President’s | Catherine Roberts | University of Saskatchewan
Brown & Caldwell Dave Caldwell | Karlye Wong | University of Toronto
CDM Smith | Ayush Shahi | University of Colorado Boulder
Denver Water | Avital Breverman | Colorado State University
AWWA Dr. Philip C. Singer | Emma Wells | University of Colorado Boulder
Gannett Fleming Forces of Change | Elisa Rivera | San Diego State University
Hazen & Sawyer | Nicole Martindale | Iowa State University
Mueller Water Products | Derek Tang | University of California Irvine
Neptune Technology Group | Alex Groff | Rochester Institute of Technology
Raftelis Leadership | Eva Sideris | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Raftelis Leadership | Journ Galvan | University of Michigan
Roberts Filter Group | Cassandra Stuart | Drexel University
SUEZ Vernon D. Lucy III | Kara Cunningham | West Virginia University
Woodard & Curran | Paula Campesino | University of Central Florida

AWWA Scholarship Program

Scholarships for Graduate Students

AECOM

The AECOM $5,000 academic scholarship funds a graduate student pursuing an engineering degree in innovative solutions to improve drinking water in urban communities.

American Water Scholarship

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. This $5,000 scholarship provides funding to a graduate level student.

Arcadis Scholarship

Driven by its core value to build and leverage a diverse and inclusive workforce, Arcadis offers this $5,000 scholarship award to assist graduate-level students from underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups (Black, Latinx, American Indian or Alaska Native) in STEM fields with the potential to provide leadership in the water service industry. 

AWWA Abel Wolman Fellowship

This Fellowship is named after Dr. Abel Wolman.  The endowment was established to assist highly qualified students who continue meaningful research in water supply through doctoral programs. This award of excellence recognizes those whose careers in the water sector exemplify vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance characteristic of Abel Wolman's long and productive career. The initial award for one year is $30,000, with a second year of support available if needed.

AWWA Larson Aquatic Research Support Scholarships

AWWA administers the LARS scholarships annually to honor the memory of Dr. Thurston E. Larson. The scholarships provide support and encouragement to outstanding graduate students preparing for careers in the fields of science or engineering to which Dr. Larson made significant contributions. These endowed scholarships provide support for two students annually. The funding for a master’s level student, the funding is $5,000 and a doctoral student receives $7,000.

Carollo Engineers Bryant L. Bench Scholarship

This $10,000 scholarship was established in honor of Carollo Engineers’ Water Practice Director Bryant L. Bench, who combined elegant engineering with innovative concepts like managed filtration to improve drinking water quality for millions across the country. This scholarship is intended to assist graduate students continue pursuing their passion for water as they work toward the consulting engineering profession.

Charles “Chick” Roberts Scholarship

This $5,000 scholarship offered by Roberts Filter Group recognizes a graduate Pennsylvania student studying water technologies.

CDM Smith Thomas R. Camp Scholarship

CDM Smith honors co-founder Dr. Thomas R. Camp with this $10,000 scholarship to encourage outstanding graduate students conducting applied research in the drinking water field.

Dave Caldwell Scholarship

Established in recognition of Brown and Caldwell co-founder Dave Caldwell. This $5,000 scholarship funds a female and/or minority graduate level student pursuing an engineering degree in the drinking water field.

Denver Water Centennial Scholarship

In celebration of its over 100 year serving Colorado residents, Denver Water provides a $5,000 scholarship for any undergraduate or graduate student who has serious interest in the fields of water delivery, water quality, water reclamation or water reuse.

Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship

This award was established in 2020 in honor of Dr. Philip C. Singer to recognize an outstanding graduate student pursuing research on topics related to drinking water quality, environmental science, and public health. The scholarship will provide $3,000 to a student who is pursuing research that will provide actionable and timely outcomes to address current challenges faced by the water industry.

Gannett Fleming Forces of Change Scholarship

Gannett Fleming is proud to offer a $5,000 academic scholarship to an undergraduate or master’s-level engineering student who has a passion for engineering the future of the water industry. The scholarship includes the opportunity for mentoring and an internship.

There is a simple truth that underpins the importance of our outreach to you, the next generation of water professionals: you will solve the most pressing infrastructure issues of our time. We’re proud to partner with you.

Hazen and Sawyer Scholarship

The Hazen and Sawyer Scholarship will be awarded to a graduate level candidate who reflects these values, and is committed to leading the industry by advancing solutions to today's most pressing challenges in the fields of drinking water, water reuse, and water resources.

HDR One Water Institute Scholarship

HDR’s One Water Institute drives water innovations through collaborative research. Its namesake scholarship provides $10,000 in funding to assist a graduate student work towards a degree that will support their career as a consultant in the water industry.

J & L Presidential Scholarship

The J & L Presidential Scholarship offered by the Jacangelo Family aims to support and grow relationships with promising graduate students attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) who have an interest in a career with a service provider or utility with a major in engineering, science, public health, or technology for the water community. Students with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. A $5000 scholarship will be offered to one student. Criteria for selection will be based on financial need, academic excellence, career goals, and interest in the water community. Final candidates will be required to submit proof of financial need.

Jacobs Holly A. Cornell Scholarship

The Holly A. Cornell Scholarship created in 1990 and sponsored by Jacobs, honors co-founder Holly A. Cornell to encourage and support outstanding female and/or minority students pursuing advanced training as a graduate student in the field of water supply and treatment. This scholarship is in the amount of $10,000. 

Stantec Scholarship

Stantec sponsors this $10,000 scholarship to assist a student enrolled in a research-based program (Masters or Ph.D.) in the area of water treatment science and engineering.

Woodard & Curran Scholarship

The $5,000 Woodard & Curran scholarship was established in 2017 to support students from underrepresented groups pursuing a graduate degree with a focus on innovative solutions for issues related to water and the environment.

Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Immediate Past President's Scholarship for AWWA

The Immediate Past President’s Scholarship for AWWA aims to support and grow relationships with promising students who have determined a field of study in water research, public health, engineering, finance, IT, communications, or project management with the intent of benefiting the drinking water community. Students attending a college or university in the Providence of Saskatchewan in Canada or in western New York state in the United States, with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. A $3,000 scholarship will be offered to one student with demonstrated focus on advancing various aspects of drinking water science, technology, engineering, communication, economics, and governance in the pursue of a degree that would benefit drinking water availability, quality, and/or affordability. 

Charles "Chick" Roberts

This $5,000 scholarship offered by Roberts Filter Group recognizes an undergraduate Pennsylvania student studying water technologies.

Denver Water Centennial Scholarship

In celebration of its over 100 year serving Colorado residents, Denver Water provides a $5,000 scholarship for any undergraduate or graduate student who has serious interest in the fields of water delivery, water quality, water reclamation or water reuse.

Gannett Fleming Forces of Change

Gannett Fleming is proud to offer a $5,000 academic scholarship to an undergraduate or master’s-level engineering student who has a passion for engineering the future of the water industry. The scholarship includes the opportunity for mentoring and an internship. 

There is a simple truth that underpins the importance of our outreach to you, the next generation of water professionals: you will solve the most pressing infrastructure issues of our time. We’re proud to partner with you.

Mueller Continuing Education Scholarship

Mueller Water Products Continuing Education scholarship awards $5,000 to an undergraduate student who is employed by a water utility.

Neptune Technology Group Scholarship

Neptune Technology Group, Inc. supports a $5,000 scholarship for an undergraduate student seeking a degree in mechanical electrical, computer or software engineering.

Raftelis Leadership Scholarship

Raftelis offers two Leadership Scholarships to undergraduate or graduate students interested in a consulting career. The Raftelis Leadership Scholarships were established with the goal of supporting and growing relationships with promising students who have an interest in becoming problem solvers for local governments and municipal water utilities. Students with diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. 

The successful applicants will have proven leadership ability and strong academic achievement. Although a specific major is not required, students who have a major in business, finance, communications, public affairs, economics, marketing, and government relations are aligned with the types of majors many of our employees have. Above all we are looking for well-rounded students with initiative and experience that they would like to share with our company and our clients. 

Scholarship recipients will each receive a $5,000  award toward college education, a match with a mentor from a Raftelis office and potential for an internship in a Raftelis office. 

SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions Vernon D. Lucy III Scholarship

The Vernon D. Lucy III Scholarship was established to honor his lengthy career and involvement in the water industry and many years of mentorship to young industry professionals. This $5000 award is offered to undergraduate students interested in working in the water sector. 




Scholarships available from AWWA Sections

Learn more about AWWA Section Scholarships here.






Volunteers needed for WE Scholarship Advisory Subcommittee

AWWA Water Equation Committee is seeking volunteers for the Scholarship Advisory Subcommittee to read and rank applications for water-related studies scholarships offered through Corporate Sponsors.