Internships, Scholarships and Awards

Internships

The Geography and Planning Department has well established relationships with several state and federal agencies for student internships. Our students are hired for paid internships and have worked at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of Health, NYS Department of Transportation, United States Geological Survey and other agencies. Available internship positions at these agencies can be found via sites listed below:

 

Scholarships and Awards

Geography, Planning and Sustainability for the Capital Region Endowed Scholarship

The Geography, Planning and Sustainability for the Capital Region Endowed Scholarship supports graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in the Department of Geography and Planning, and conducting research on Albany, NY and the Capital Region. The scholarship ranges from $500-1000 depending on the number of recipients.

The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Phoebe Bender, a longtime community activist.

scholarship
Geography, Planning and Sustainability Scholarship

Eligibility

  • New incoming students applying for a graduate program in the department 
  • Current graduate students enrolled in a graduate program in the department.
     

Apply


Selection

The selection of this endowed scholarship will be prioritized as follows:

  • New graduate students who are applying to or who are just admitted to the Department of Geography and Planning. This priority exists to recruit students who will conduct research on Albany, NY or the Capital Region.
  • Current graduate students enrolled in the Department of Geography and Planning who are not eligible for other scholarships offered by the department.
  • Current graduate students enrolled in the Department of Geography and Planning who are eligible for other scholarships offered by the department.

Recipients are required to submit a 5-page report on the research they conduct at the end of the following academic year after receiving the award (May 1st). Graduating students must submit reports before their graduation (May 1st). Reports should be emailed to [email protected].


Deadlines

  • Application:  April 1st  
  • Award: The scholarship selection committee evaluates qualified recipients and notifies eligible students via email by April 30th. The scholarship will be applied to student account(s) before June 30th.
  • Research Report: May 1 of the following academic year after receiving the award
     

For more information, email [email protected].

Geography, Planning and Sustainability Scholarship Recipients

2023

  • Caitlin  Denny - Imagining a Collaborative Seeds Commons in Albany, NY
  • Odelin Casseus - Sustainable Infrastructure, Residents Fulfillment, and Economic Competitiveness in the banks of Hudson River in Albany and Rensselaer Counties
  • Abdullah Al Masud - Improving the tours of the Albany Rural Cemetery Explorer by transitioning it to a downloadable app for mobile phone (Android and iOS) users
  • Katharine Moser - Albany Rural cemetery archaecolgical survey focused analyzing trends in iconography on burial markers from the Victorian era

David Mark Prize in Geography

The Department of Geography and Planning awards the David Mark Prize in Geography each year to a student who best exemplifies David's strong work ethic and breadth of attainment in the discipline of Geography.

David Mark Prize in Geography

David Mark received his BA, summa cum laude, his certificate in GIS and Spatial Analysis, and his MA in Geography from the University at Albany. A bright, enthusiastic, and talented student, David was always eager to learn more about GIS and cultural geography. David tragically passed away in March 2011, less than three months after receiving his Master’s degree.

The Department of Geography and Planning awards the David Mark Prize in Geography each year to honor David’s passion for his studies.

Awardee is selected through faculty nomination. Special consideration is given to a student demonstrating a strong commitment to community service or who has helped a colleague overcome any learning, physical or emotional challenges that have interfered with achieving a personal goal.

Typically, the award is announced and presented in May.

David Mark Prize Award Recipients

2023

  • Maria Covey

2022

  • Madison Hrysko

2021

  • Johathan Kappel

2020

  • Elizabeth Hayes

2019

  • Jill Martin

2018

  • Andrew Kim

2017

  • Nicholas Murphy

2016

  • Jiayan Zhao

2015

  • Michael Antidormi

2014

  • Robyn Reynolds

Biodiversity, Conservation and Policy Endowed Scholarship

The Biodiversity, Conservation and Policy Endowed Scholarship provides support to graduate students pursuing a master's degree in the Department of Geography and Planning and conducting research in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy.

The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy donors, including Ms. Helga Karker (MS '75), Professor Margaret Stewart, and former students and professors, as well as the Edward Osborn L. Endowment Fund, the Charles and Harriet Adams Biodiversity Fund, the Lee Family Biodiversity Endowment Fund, and the Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy Scholarship Fund.
 

Biodiversity, Conservation and Policy Scholarship

Eligibility

  • New incoming students applying for the Biodiversity, Conservation, and Planning Program
  • Current graduate students
     

Apply

  • Incoming students will be automatically considered for the tuition scholarship. The tuition scholarship typically covers 9-18 graduate credits.
  • Current students can apply after submitting their MS Thesis Prospectus to the MS Thesis Committee. They may be awarded a research scholarship to cover their field or experimental research needs. This scholarship can be spent on travel to the field, purchasing usable materials or small measuring devices, as well as travel to conferences to report their findings
     

Selection

  • This is a merit-based scholarship
  • The decision is made by the Program Director in consultation with the Biodiversity, Conservation and Policy Faculty Committee
     

Deadline

  • There is no specific deadline for this scholarship
Biodiversity, Conservation and Policy Scholarship Recipients

2023-2024

  • Jessica Rossler

  • Erica Liquori

2022-2023

  • Alana Richman

  • Victoria Rozycki

  • Prvina Vennam

2021-2022

  • Tyler Bobko

  • Jaimi DeFeo

  • Darby Reiss

  • Alexander Dumont

  • Daniel Woltman

2020-2021

  • Emma Morse

  • Senia Quevedo

2019-2020

  • Veronique Couttee

  • Michaela Fisher

  • Lauren Mercier

  • Cara Sherman

  • Lijo Varghese

2018-2019

  • Daniel Weber

Funding Opportunities for MRP Students
The Endowed Scholarship in Urban and Regional Planning

This scholarship provides support for graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Recipient(s) must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. The Donor’s first preference is that recipients hail from upstate New York. The second preference is that they hail from New York State.  

All MRP applicants are considered for the scholarship if they meet the eligibility requirements. The MRP selection committee evaluates qualified recipients and notifies eligible students with the scholarship offer. 

Eligibility:  

  • First Tier - Preference 
    • Graduate student as resident of an upstate county in New York State 
    • GPA 3.0 or above 
    • MRP degree student 
    • Indication of financial need (e.g., request for TA, GA, or inquiry on available resources) 
  • Second Tier - Eligible 
    • Graduate student as resident of New York State 
    • GPA 3.0 or above 
    • MRP degree student 
    • Indication of financial need (e.g., request for TA, GA, or inquiry on available resources) 

If no graduate-level candidates qualify, the scholarship could be awarded to an undergraduate student enrolled in the Urban Studies Major Program who fits the same eligibility requirements as an MRP candidate. 

Graduate Assistantships in the Department of Geography and Planning

Assistantships are used to employ full time graduate students as teaching and administrative assistants. 

Decisions on the assignment of MRP Graduate Assistant (GA) lines are made by the MRP core faculty. In making their decisions, faculty consider all current MRP students who have formally applied for assistantship funding within the Graduate Application and who still need to complete at least 10 credits to finish the MRP degree. They also consider all applicants to the MRP program who have been admitted and have formally applied for assistantship funding. 

 

Deadline

The prime GA selection decisions for the upcoming academic year are made in April. Applicants seeking assistantships should ensure that their complete MRP applications are received by the university’s Graduate Office no later than March 15. Applicants who do not make this deadline are much less likely to obtain an assistantship.  

 

Criteria

The selection of GA recipients is based on four major criteria, weighted equally, as follows: 

  1. Academic performance as an undergraduate, and in any subsequent graduate study, as reflected by grade point average (GPA), grades in key planning-related courses, and awards. 
  2. The extent to which academic background is cognate with planning. 
  3. Evidence of relevant work experience, volunteer experience, writing and verbal and technical skills appropriate to a graduate planning program. 
  4. Possession of skills and experience of value to the Department of Geography and Planning. 

In addition, in assigning GA lines, the MRP core faculty consider evidence of commitment to graduate study in planning at the University at Albany and diversity issues. Our objective is to form a pool of graduate assistants who can bring a wide variety of different talents, experiences and concerns to the department, and who are truly representative of the university’s student body as a whole. 

 

Awards

The MRP program core faculty seeks to divide its GA lines roughly equally between first- and second-year full-time students. Some GA awards are “full lines”— including a stipend and a tuition scholarship of nine (9) credits each semester, in return for 20 hours per week of work during the 14-week teaching semester. The majority of the awards are “half lines”— including a stipend and tuition scholarship of six (6) credits each semester, in return for 10 hours per week of work during the 14-week teaching semester. 

Students are encouraged to apply for other University funding opportunities.

The Paul Marr Award for Excellence in Planning Scholarship and Practice

The Paul Marr Award for Excellence in Planning Scholarship and Practice is presented to a student who best represents and honors the memory of Paul Marr, a Geography professor at the University of Albany who started the Planning program.

Criteria

You must be a top performing Master of Regional Planning (MRP) student and must also be actively involved in community engagement in planning.
 

Selection Process

MRP program faculty meet each March to discuss the students who fit the criteria and come to a consensus on who best meets the requirements. Selected students are notified in April each year.

Geography, Planning and Sustainability for the Capital Region Endowed Scholarship

The Geography, Planning and Sustainability for the Capital Region Endowed Scholarship supports graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in the Department of Geography and Planning, and conducting research on Albany, NY and the Capital Region. The scholarship ranges from $500-1000 depending on the number of recipients.

The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Phoebe Bender, a longtime community activist.


Eligibility

  • New incoming students applying for a graduate program in the department 
  • Current graduate students enrolled in a graduate program in the department.


Apply


Selection

The selection of this endowed scholarship will be prioritized as follows:

  • New graduate students who are applying to or who are just admitted to the Department of Geography and Planning. This priority exists to recruit students who will conduct research on Albany, NY or the Capital Region.
  • Current graduate students enrolled in the Department of Geography and Planning who are not eligible for other scholarships offered by the department.
  • Current graduate students enrolled in the Department of Geography and Planning who are eligible for other scholarships offered by the department.

Recipients are required to submit a 5-page report on the research they conduct at the end of the following academic year after receiving the award (May 1). Graduating students must submit reports before their graduation (May 1). Reports should be emailed to [email protected].


Deadlines

  • Application: April 1  
  • Award: The scholarship selection committee evaluates qualified recipients and notifies eligible students via email by April 30. The scholarship will be applied to student account(s) before June 30.
  • Research Report: May 1 of the following academic year after receiving the award
     

For more information, email [email protected].

 

MRP Funding Recipients

Endowed Scholarship in Urban and Regional Planning Recipients

2023

  • Maria Covey

Paul Marr Award Recipients

2023

  • Destiny Riviello

2022

  • Amanda Diaz

2021

  • Ben Turin

2020

  • Luis Roldan

2019

  • Bradley Hershenson

2018

  • Sean Taylor

2017

  • Jamie Konkoski

2016

  • Sandy Johnson

2015

  • Kyle M. Simpson

2014

  • E'lan Martinique Jenkins 

Additional Funding Opportunities
The Carson Carr Graduate Diversity Fellowship

The Carson Carr Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program is a competitive, merit-based program for full-time graduate students (9 graduate credits) who will contribute to the diversity of the student body in the graduate or professional program in which they will be enrolled. 

This award is named for Dr. Carson Carr, former director of UAlbany’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), in recognition of his stellar achievements in support of the recruitment, retention and graduation of underrepresented students.

Carr Fellows receive a tuition scholarship, an academic-year stipend and a Teaching or Research Assistantship. All awards are subject to University-wide policies concerning the limitation on state-allocated funding. 

  

Eligibility

  1. Applicants must have earned by the time of enrollment, a baccalaureate degree granted by an accredited U.S. college or university, or an international university of recognized standing.
  2. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or have obtained permanent resident status by the time of enrollment.
  3. Students must contribute to the diversity of the graduate program to which they have been admitted. Economic or other disadvantage may be a basis for assessing a student’s contribution to enhancing diversity. Membership in a racial/ethnic group that has historically been underrepresented in the graduate or professional program in which admission is sought may serve as a plus factor in making awards.

  

Selection

Selection of the Carson Carr Graduate Diversity Fellows will be prioritized as follows:

  1. New graduate students who are being recruited but who have not yet accepted admission to a UAlbany graduate program. This first priority aims to recruit students who will contribute to the diversity of the student body and who otherwise would not come to UAlbany, especially New York State residents.
  2. Graduate Opportunity Waiver Program students who can be awarded a stipend to supplement their waiver to tuition.
  3. Currently enrolled doctoral candidates who have completed all degree requirements but the dissertation (“ABD”).
  4. Graduate Assistants and Teaching Assistants who can receive a supplement to their current stipends to enhance their retention in graduate studies.

  

How to Apply

Applicants must submit an essay (maximum 500 words) stating how they will: 

  • contribute to the diversity of their academic program’s student body 
  • commit, or are committed, to increasing opportunities for underrepresented populations, and 
  • fully participate in all aspects of the fellowship program, including acting as a mentor and teacher for a wide variety of students.

Prospective students should submit their essay with their admissions application.

Current students should email their essay, with an Albany ID number to [email protected].  

 

Deadlines

  • January 15 for summer and fall consideration
  • October 15 for spring consideration

 

For more information, contact [email protected].

Fellowship on Women & Public Policy

Female students near the end of their degree program can apply for this program run by the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society (CWGCS) at UAlbany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.

The Fellowship on Women & Public Policy Program has been in place for over 40 years. There are over 400 fellows who hold high ranking positions in the public service field all over New York State, across the country and around the world.

The fellowship offers policy-related placements in New York State agencies, the Legislature and statewide nonprofit advocacy organizations.

 

The Fellowship provides:

  • Policy-related placements in New York State agencies, the Legislature and statewide nonprofit advocacy organizations.
  • Policy field experience and academic coursework in public policy and advocacy.
  • Professional development and co-curricular activities such as workshops, conferences, policy field trips and community service opportunities.
  • Network mentoring program that gives access to over 300 alumnae fellows and other accomplished policy and social change agents.

 

Eligibility

The Fellowship program is open to graduate students and working professionals who have successfully completed a minimum of 12 graduate credits in any academic discipline and have a minimum of 3-5 years of work experience.

 

Award and Application

The Fellowship offers a $10,000 stipend and tuition assistance for academic coursework. In the spring semester, fellows are full-time graduate students at Rockefeller College with policy-related field placements for thirty hours a week from January through June. Health plans are available.

Access the application.

 

For more information, contact CWGCS at [email protected].