Scholarship Opportunities 2026

South Texas Border Chapter, Texas Master Naturalist, seeks to support student naturalists in South Texas and Northern Tamaulipas by providing scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in the fields of environmental science, environmental studies, and related fields. Two scholarships are offered in the fall of each year: 

1. Jean Louis Berlandier Scholarship ($500) — named after the early 19th-century famous French-Swiss botanist and zoologist who collected the first and earliest specimens of plants and small animals in the Rio Grande Valley.

2. Robert Runyon Scholarship ($500) — named after the photographer and botanist who settled in Brownsville in 1909. He discovered 20 new species of plants and 1 new genus in the Rio Grande Valley and is generally credited with saving the Sabal Palm from extinction.

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Application deadline for 2026: Monday, October 19

Preferred candidates will: 

• Be currently enrolled in college and working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree in environmental science, environmental studies or a related field. 

• Have experience working and/or volunteering in South Texas/Northern Tamaulipas environmental projects, clubs, or organizations.

• Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the unique characteristics of our South Texas ecoregions, including its geological features, flora, and fauna. 

Requirements for consideration:

• Complete and submit the online application by Monday, October 19.

• Include a copy of your most recent college transcript 

Awardees will be notified in early November and will be invited to attend the November meeting of the South Texas Border Chapter on Monday, November 16 at 7:30 pm to receive the award in person. 

Scholarships are non-transferable.

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Questions about the scholarships? Please contact stxborderscholarship@gmail.com.