Scholarships at Cornell University

The Alan D. Mathios Research and Service Grant funds undergraduate Cornell Human Ecology students' research and service activities that further the college mission to improve lives. The Human Ecology Alumni Association awards these grants bi-annually to qualified CHE students whose proposals extend Alan Mathios' legacy of visionary leadership through community benefit, research, or service. Individual grants range from $200 to $2,000 depending on need and application strength and may fund research projects, service trips, or Honors theses. Applicants must be current CHE students; preference is given to undergraduates. Students complete the Student Grant Application and submit one faculty advisor recommendation. Recipients agree to provide a one-page final report upon project completion.

The Elsie Van Buren Rice Award in Public Speaking honors the best student speeches at Cornell University's College of Human Ecology addressing how research in Human Ecology makes a difference in society. The annual speaking competition awards five cash prizes totaling $4,600 for excellence in public speaking: first place $1,500, second place $1,200, third place $1,000, fourth place $600, and fifth place $300. The 2026 competition is scheduled for Friday, March 20 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in 1153 MVR, with registration required and speakers asked to arrive by 2:15 p.m. Human Ecology students compete by delivering research-focused speeches evaluated for public speaking excellence. Contact the College of Human Ecology Office of Student and Career Development for registration details.

The Florence Halpern Award recognizes creative solutions to human problems through supervised fieldwork or community service beyond the Cornell campus. This $1,200 award is presented to Human Ecology juniors or seniors with an outstanding record of supervised fieldwork or community service demonstrating innovative and effective models of social change. Applicants must have matriculated in the College of Human Ecology, hold junior or senior status, and be in good academic standing. Brooks School of Public Policy students are not eligible. A student who previously won this award or the Flora Rose Prize in the same year may not apply for the other. Applications are submitted through the CHE student grants and awards process alongside the Flora Rose Prize application.

The Flora Rose Prize recognizes leadership in service and promise for contributions to the self-fulfillment of future generations among Cornell Human Ecology undergraduates. This $1,200 award is presented to Human Ecology juniors or seniors with outstanding records of leadership accomplishments in public service, including self-initiated activities that provided significant and sustainable social benefits. Applicants must have matriculated in the College of Human Ecology, hold junior or senior status, and be in good academic standing. Students who previously won this prize or the Florence Halpern Award in the same year are ineligible. Applications are submitted through the College of Human Ecology student grants process. Contact the Office of Student and Career Development at 607-255-5471 with questions.