Expansion of ASU scholarship opens new doors for global research opportunities

Solutions to critical sustainability issues like water scarcity, climate change and affordable energy aren’t found in a vacuum; they require a global perspective and international cooperation.

For more than a decade, Arizona State University and its benefactors have empowered students to understand and address such challenges by supporting overseas travel to learn about global sustainability firsthand. Now, a recent expansion to an existing scholarship program means these opportunities will be made available to more ASU students.

The Rob Melnick Sustainability Scholarship was initially established in 2018 by Julie Ann Wrigley and ASU President Michael M. Crow in recognition of Melnick's contribution to the development of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability and the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University.

The scholarship was recently given a generous gift by Richard Morrison of Gilbert, Arizona. Thanks to Morrison’s contribution, the scholarship can now be offered to two students each year, one undergraduate and one graduate, who are interested in exploring sustainability science and practice in international settings. Whether through completing an international summer course, researching potential solutions to modern sustainability problems in a foreign country or presenting at an international conference, more ASU students will be able to add a global sustainability experience to their resumes.

“The opportunity to conduct research or further an education overseas can be life-changing and heavily influence career trajectory,” Morrison said. “This scholarship is intended to create more opportunities and empower recipients to tackle our most pressing sustainability challenges with a global perspective.”

Richard Morrison and the Morrison family are longtime supporters of numerous programs at ASU, including the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, Morrison School of Agribusiness and Morrison-Neely Food and Sustainability Agriculture Research Grants. By adding the Rob Melnick Sustainability Scholarship to this list, Richard continues his legacy of philanthropy to ASU that benefits students and helps ensure the future well-being of our state and planet.

The Rob Melnick Sustainability Scholarship is open to full-time School of Sustainability degree students with a 3.5 ASU GPA or above interested in pursuing a global experience. Applications require a short essay describing the desired global experience and how this will supplement the applicant’s career goals, as well as contact information for an instructor or faculty member reference. The deadline to apply for the next award cycle is Feb.15, 2023.

More information about the scholarship and detailed instructions on how to apply can be found here.