Grants and Scholarships

Thanks to generous donations from our community members, the Friends of the Sierra Nevada Field Campus, and San Francisco State University, we are happy to offer scholarships to help SF State students attend workshops and classes at the SNFC. Please reach out to inquire about these opportunities.

Email the SNFC Director at snfc@sfsu.edu to learn more.

The purpose of the V.T. Parker Sierra Nevada Field Campus Student Support Fund is to provide stipends of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) each to San Francisco State University students taking courses at Sierra Nevada Field Campus, to cover costs including class fees, room and board, and transportation. 

V. Thomas Parker was Director of the Sierra Nevada Field Campus from 1980-1985. He brought his plant ecology classes to the Field Campus every Fall until he retired from teaching after 40 years at SF State. He is a plant biologist who specializes in ecology and ecological evolution. He is a recognized expert in two vegetation types; chaparral ecology, particularly with manzanitas [Arctostaphylos (Ericaceae)]; and other chaparral plants, and in tidal wetland ecology. He continues to conduct research post-retirement and has produced over 100 publications. He considers personal experience in the field as critical to engaging students in science and fundamental to understanding ecology and evolution and prefers that these funds are used to support undergraduate students. His hope is that this fund provides an opportunity for new generations of scientists and others to experience the wonder of the Sierra Nevada.

If interested, please email the SNFC Director at snfc@sfsu.edu

The Northern Sierra Research Award is for graduate students in the College of Science & Engineering conducting research on Northern Sierra topics. Preference is for students who are basing studies out of or engaging with the San Francisco State’s Sierra Nevada Field Campus (SNFC) anytime between May-August. Part of the award can be used to cover costs of room and board at the SNFC. The award maximum is $5,000 annually. A student may receive the award for up to three academic years.

This award is offered by Dr. Michael Vasey, Emeritus, a long-time supporter of the SNFC

Deadline is March 17, 2026 at 5 p.m. PST.

For more information and to apply, contact Lannie Nguyen Lannie@sfsu.edu

Thanks to generous donations from members of the Friends of SNFC, the Friends are offering six $600 stipends to those who require assistance to attend courses .

Applying is very simple.
1) Complete a Stipend Application Form
2) Await news from Friends of the SNFC regarding application status
3) Register for a workshop or class at the SNFC

Application schedule
Round 1 applications accepted through February 12, 2026 (Winning recipient(s) notified by February 15, 2026).
Round 2 applications accepted February 13 - May 15, 2026 (Winning recipient(s) notified by May 22, 2026).
Stipend recipients will be chosen by lottery from a pool of all qualified applicants.

Stipend payment will be made by check to the recipient at the field campus during their course week.

Recipients must register for and attend a 2026 SNFC workshop or class in order to receive a stipend. Stipend is non-transferable.