Inspirational Geoscience Educator Award Grant

Funder: American Association Of Petroleum Geologists Foundation ( AAPG )

The Inspirational Geoscience Educator Award, presented by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation, recognizes exceptional higher-education professors in geoscience. This competitive award honors those who inspire students through innovative teaching and mentorship, significantly impacting their academic and professional journeys. Recipients are chosen based on their teaching excellence and contributions to geoscience education, promoting a deeper understanding of earth sciences and fostering the next generation of geoscientists.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, a global professional geological society. It exists to support the geosciences through educational, research, and professional development funding that advances earth science knowledge and strengthens the geoscience profession. The Foundation’s mission focuses on providing grants, scholarships, and awards that help undergraduate and graduate students, veterans, and educators further their geoscience education and careers. Its funding priorities include supporting geoscience scholarship programs (such as the L. Austin Weeks Undergraduate Grant and the Deana and Paul Strunk Military Veterans Geoscience Scholarship), innovation in energy and sustainable development competitions, and recognition of outstanding geoscience educators. These activities aim to expand access to quality geological education, foster research and innovation in earth science, and strengthen the future workforce in geoscience-related fields.
The Inspirational Geoscience Educator Award is a competitive recognition designed to honor outstanding higher-education geoscience professors who have demonstrated exceptional teaching, mentorship, and inspiration in the field of geoscience. The award highlights educators whose work has profoundly influenced students’ academic and professional growth within earth sciences and has contributed to advancing geoscience education broadly. Finalists and recipients are selected based on established criteria including teaching excellence, impact on students’ careers, and contributions to curriculum that reflect the geological sciences. This award fosters excellence in geoscience instruction and celebrates the pivotal role of educators in developing future geoscientists.

Eligibility

Has a PhD in geoscienceHas a minimum of three years full-time teaching experience at any higher education institutionIs a full-time assistant or associate professor within 10 years of their initial tenure track appointment at the time of nomination.Has taught one or more courses that include content that applies to the formation and geological history of earth resources. Earth resources are defined as geologic materials used by civilization past and present, including:Organic materials such as petroleum, natural gas, coal and oil shale; and/or inorganic substances found in the Earth such as mineral ores, building stone and aggregate; and/or non-fossil energy resources from the Earth such as geothermal energy