Grossman Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
Introduction
The Grossman Scholarship Program supports students who have shown a proven dedication to protecting and caring for natural resources, helping make post-secondary education attainable for those pursuing careers in environmental stewardship. Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) values diversity and inclusion and strongly encourages applicants from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and life experiences to apply, with the goal of building a more inclusive outdoor stewardship community.
Key dates
- Applications are open for the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Submission deadline: March 1, 2026 by 11:59 PM MST.
Who may apply
Grossman Scholarships are available to Colorado residents planning to enroll in an accredited Colorado program focused on environmental, natural resources, climate, or outdoor-industry studies. Eligible programs include:
- Four-year colleges or universities,
- Two-year community colleges, or
- Certificate programs offered by accredited Colorado institutions.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a resident of Colorado;
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to caring for natural resources in personal, educational, and/or professional settings — applicants should provide three specific examples of this commitment;
- Submit a Letter of Recommendation that specifically speaks to the applicant’s dedication to natural resource stewardship;
- Be pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate with an emphasis on environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor-industry education at an accredited Colorado institution;
- Be enrolled (or planning to enroll) at least half-time for the upcoming term; applicants in their final semester are not eligible because scholarship funds cannot be applied retroactively.
Recipient obligations (2026)
Before funds are disbursed, awarded students must:
- Provide VOC with official enrollment verification, and
- Contribute a short blog post for VOC that includes a photograph of the recipient.
After funds are distributed, recipients must complete one of the following during the 2026–2027 period:
- Participate in at least one VOC volunteer project during the April–October 2026 project season, OR
- Serve as a VOC campus ambassador during the 2026–2027 academic year by posting VOC-provided flyers in appropriate campus locations and/or acting as a liaison between VOC and campus groups or faculty interested in environmental stewardship.
Award amount and funding
In 2026, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado will distribute up to $45,000 in Grossman Scholarships for the 2026–2027 school year. These awards are made possible through the generosity of former VOC Board Member Rick Grossman and Susie Grossman.
If you have questions about eligibility, application materials, or the post-award requirements, please contact VOC for guidance.