Pursuing a career in occupational and environmental health and safety is rewarding, with diverse professional pathways and a mission to help others. At the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, we believe opportunities should be available to all qualified students who are interested in this field. We provide numerous avenues for financial support to help students complete their training and achieve their ambitions.
NIOSH Stipends
Full-time graduate students at RMCOEH are eligible to receive partial or full tuition and stipend support through our National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Research Center grant. NIOSH awards funds based on the recommendation of the RMCOEH Center Director, who receives input from the admissions committee and the directors of RMCOEH's academic programs.
RMCOEH Scholarships
RMCOEH is proud to offer several scholarships for qualified trainees. These scholarships are part of our commitment to providing broad opportunities for students of all backgrounds to further their education in occupational and environmental health and safety and, ultimately, serve workers and business throughout the U.S.
The Dr. Richard E. Johns Endowed Scholarship (graduate)
Established by the family of Dr. Johns, this scholarship honors his legacy of education and scholarship. Dr. Johns was the Occupational Medicine director at RMCOEH from 1987 to 1989 and subsequently served as medical director for ATK Thiokol for many years. RMCOEH will award individual scholarship(s) with a value of up to $2,000 for tuition, fees, and full-time academic expenses while pursuing graduate studies.
To apply, complete an application and email it to Toni Chambers (
The Royce Moser, Jr. and Lois H. Moser Endowed Scholarship in Occupational Health (graduate)
Established by Dr. and Mrs. Moser, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student who has been accepted into one of RMCOEH’s graduate degree programs. After completing service in the U.S. Air Force, including serving as the commander of the School of Aerospace Medicine, Dr. Moser was the RMCOEH center director from 1986 to 2003. For purposes of this scholarship, occupational health fields include: Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Medicine, Occupational Injury Prevention, Ergonomics & Safety, and Aerospace Medicine. Students not yet enrolled in one of RMCOEH’s programs must demonstrate substantial interest in occupational health to be eligible. The scholarship is awarded based on outstanding academic achievement and financial need.
To apply, complete an application and email it to Toni Chambers (
The Dallas Bradford Endowed Scholarship in Occupational Health (graduate)
Established by Dr. Kurt and Kristine Hegmann and WCF Insurance, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student who has been accepted into one of RMCOEH’s occupational and environmental health and safety graduate degree programs at the University of Utah. Mr. Bradford is the chair of the WCF Insurance Board of Directors. For purposes of this scholarship, occupational health fields include: Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Medicine, Occupational Injury Prevention, and Ergonomics & Safety. The scholarship will be awarded based on outstanding academic achievement and/or financial need.
To apply, complete an application and email it to Toni Chambers (
The Jeff Burton Endowed Scholarship in Occupational Health (graduate)
Established by Jeff Burton, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding engineering student in either engineering or an occupational health field (Ergonomics & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, and Occupational Injury Prevention). Burton served as president of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and is an international expert in ventilation. The scholarship is awarded based on engineering background; interest in studying and/or designing and engineering ventilation systems to prevent diseases; outstanding academic achievement; and/or financial need.
To apply, complete an application and email it to Toni Chambers (
The Jessica Hanford, MD, MPH Scholarship (graduate)
Established by Dr. Hanford, this scholarship is also known as the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health Random Poetry Prize. Dr. Hanford was a RMCOEH Occupational Medicine resident and practiced in Washington state. Applications consist solely of the submission of an original poem on the subject of occupational health and safety. One scholarship recipient will be chosen by random drawing, with the additional requirement being that the prize be awarded upon acceptance of the poem for publication. Dr. Hanford generously provided this award to encourage creativity and to “playfully protest all the required non-winning scholarship essays I didn’t have time for.” Her requirements include that the “length of the poem should not exceed 65 words by more than five words. Spelling and punctuation count. It should be of publishable quality.”
Poems should be submitted to Toni Chambers (
The Capt. Eric J. and MSgt. John E. Esswein Endowed Scholarship (graduate)
Established by Capt. Eric Esswein, a RMCOEH graduate who served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, this scholarship is for students studying industrial hygiene at RMCOEH. Esswein was assigned to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and served for 26 years as a research industrial hygienist in the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The scholarship also bears the name of Esswein's late father, who was a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and instilled in him the importance of service, professionalism, excellence, and dedication. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, financial need, and an intent to pursue a career in industrial hygiene research within the U.S. federal government (e.g, U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Air Force, NIOSH, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Control). Students who intend to pursue careers in applied field-based industrial hygiene are also eligible.
Application details forthcoming.
The Dr. Paul S. Richards WCF Insurance Safe Workplace Scholarship (undergraduate and graduate)
Dr. Richards is considered the father of occupational and environmental health and safety in Utah, and his professional work included serving as medical director for the Kennecott Copper Mine. Graduate students studying Ergonomics & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Injury Prevention, and Occupational Medicine are eligible, as are undergraduate students seeking a bachelor’s degree in occupational and environmental health at Weber State University as well as students pursuing a minor in occupational safety and health at the University of Utah. The scholarship is administered by WCF Insurance, which funds and awards individual scholarships valued up to $5,000 for tuition, fees, and full-time academic expenses while studying at RMCOEH.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to contact RMCOEH about additional funding opportunities.
Other Scholarships
RMCOEH students are also eligible for, and frequently receive, national awards. Our faculty may be able to offer additional suggestions. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships related to occupational and environmental health, including:
- 3M Scholarship: The application deadline is early March. Multiple $5,000 scholarships are awarded to applicants nationally.
- American Industrial Hygiene Foundation (AIHF): The application deadline is early February. There are a series of national scholarships and local scholarships (including the Jeffrey S. Lee Scholarship) awarded through this application.
- American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Foundation Scholarship: Students enrolled in occupational safety and health programs at all levels are eligible.
- BCSP Foundation Scholarship: The application deadline is early October, with one $5,000 scholarship available to a master’s student in the Industrial Hygiene program.
- Dr. John H. Frick Memorial IHMM Scholarship: The application deadline is October 15. Six scholarships are awarded annually.
- University of Utah Graduate Student Travel Assistance Award: This award provides up to $500 for a University of Utah graduate student to travel to present research to the academic community. The application deadline is
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