Undergraduate Degree Completion Scholarship
Supporting the next generation of earth-resource professionals in Bolivia
The ERII Undergraduate Degree Completion and Professional Development Scholarship helps students overcome financial barriers during the final stage of their undergraduate education.
Scholarships of USD $500–$2,000 are available to eligible students completing approved graduation projects in geology, mining, metallurgy and materials, petroleum, chemical engineering, and related fields.
Applications are currently open to students at:
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Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA)
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Universidad Técnica de Oruro (UTO)
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Universidad Autónoma Tomás Frías (UATF)
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Other Bolivian universities
Review the Student Application Guide and prepare all required documents before beginning. The application must be completed and submitted by the published deadline.
Important dates
Applications open: Monday, September 14, 2026
Application deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026 at 5:00 pm Mountain Time
Award decisions: Friday, November 20, 2026
Scholarship period: December 2026 through December 2027
Questions may be sent to info@eriinstitute.come with the subject line "Undergraduate Scholarship."
Who can apply
Applicants must:
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Be an undergraduate student at UMSA, UTO, UATF, or other Bolivian university.
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Be enrolled in an eligible academic program and in good academic standing.
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Be completing a thesis, directed work, supervised professional internship, practicum, applied project, or another university-approved graduation modality.
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Have received full approval of the proposed project and graduation modality from both their university and academic advisor before the application deadline.
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Demonstrate financial need.
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Be able to complete the project during the scholarship period.
Projects that are still under development, under review, or awaiting university or advisor approval are not eligible.
What the scholarship supports
Scholarship funds may be used for reasonable expenses directly related to completing an approved graduation project, including:
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Fieldwork and data collection
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Laboratory analyses and testing
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Equipment, supplies, software, and safety equipment
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Project-related travel, transportation, or temporary housing
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University fees associated with the graduation project
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Printing, documentation, and approved technical services
Funds may not be used for unrelated personal purchases, unlawful expenses, or costs incurred before the scholarship is approved unless ERII provides written authorization.
Scholarship amount and payment
Individual awards range from USD $500 to $2,000 and are based on financial need, project quality and feasibility, and the documented project budget.
Awards are paid by wire transfer, generally in two installments:
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60% after the recipient accepts the award and completes the required documentation
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40% after ERII approves a satisfactory progress report and documentation showing appropriate use of the initial funds
ERII will cover wire-transfer, intermediary-bank, and currency-conversion costs so recipients receive the full approved scholarship amount. Banking information will be collected securely from selected recipients and should not be included in the application.
Application materials
Applicants should prepare:
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Resume or curriculum vitae
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Proof of current enrollment or eligibility to complete the degree
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Official undergraduate academic record or transcript
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Documentation confirming full university and academic-advisor approval of the project
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Letter of support from the academic advisor or project supervisor
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Personal statement of 300–500 words
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Project description, objectives, methods, timeline, and expected outcomes
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Itemized budget and budget justification
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One faculty recommendation letter, if available; this letter is optional but encouraged
Application materials should be submitted in English whenever possible. Official university documents may be submitted in their original language. ERII may request translations when necessary for the review process.
How applications are evaluated
Applications are reviewed competitively based on:
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Academic achievement and commitment to degree completion
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Project quality, organization, and feasibility
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Financial need
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Reasonableness and justification of the budget
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Professional-development potential
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Potential benefit to Bolivia’s mining and natural-resource sectors
Submission of an application does not guarantee an award.