Scholarships

As part of our mission to expand and diversify the field of climate psychology, CIIS Public Programs has designated funds to offer up to (2) Full Scholarships and (4) Half Scholarships every cohort for those in financial need. As per our commitment to diversity and inclusion, at least half of all scholarship funds will be designated to those who identify as queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (QTBIPOC).

The CIIS Public Programs Future Leader Scholarships are specifically for applicants who plan to use their climate psychology certification not only to expand their personal practice, but to pursue a leadership position within the field of climate psychology. Examples of this could include, but not be limited to:

• Developing programming to provide emotional support to climate activist organizations
• Conducting research into the mental health dimensions of the climate crisis
• Training clinicians on assessing and treating climate distress
• Working with existing community resources, including first responders, to increase awareness of mental health consequences of climate related disasters
• Developing climate curricula for schools
• Teaching parenting skills
• Engaging in climate communications
• Providing behavioral science consultation to agriculture and land use work
• Working with environmental justice groups in BIPOC communities
• Integrating emotional sustainability themes in business or tech organizations

To apply, please upload a 1-2 page essay with your program application that answers the following questions:

• How will you pursue a leadership position within the field of climate psychology after you complete your training?
• How will you bring the climate psychology education you receive in this program to others in your professional and/or other communities?
• What is your financial situation and why are you applying for a scholarship?

As part of our mission to expand and diversify the field of sex therapy, CIIS Public Programs has designated funds to offer up to (2) Full Scholarships, (4) Half Scholarships, and (4) partial scholarships every cohort for those in financial need. As per our commitment to diversity and inclusion, at least half of all scholarship funds will be designated to those who identify as queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (QTBIPOC).

The CIIS Public Programs Future Leader scholarships are specifically for applicants who plan to use their Sex Therapy Certificate not only to expand their personal practice, but to pursue a leadership position within the field of sex therapy (i.e. pursue AASECT certification to become a Sex Therapy Supervisor, teach sex therapy to others in your profession, bring sex therapy techniques into your workplace and/or community, and more).

To apply, please upload a 1-2 page essay with your program application that answers the following questions. You can apply for a scholarship by including a scholarship essay with your application. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is the same as the deadline to apply for the program.

• How will you pursue a leadership position within the field of sex therapy after you complete your training?
• How will you bring the sexuality and sex therapy education you receive in this program to others in your professional and/or other communities?
• What is your financial situation and why are you applying for a scholarship?

In honor of Angeles Arrien who founded CIIS' Anthropology program, a scholarship of $2,500 is awarded annually to new students who demonstrate a commitment to working in areas of Preservation of Cultural Heritage, Multi-Cultural Bridging and Collaborative Efforts, Elder Support, and Youth Support. Students in the Anthropology and Social Change Program are given priority in awarding this scholarship. Renewable for a second year depending on satisfactory academic progress. Application period: May 1 - June 30.

Three scholarships of $2,500 each will be provided to second and third year Community Mental Health students who commit to two semesters of community service. Application period: Aug. 1 - Sept. 15.

In honor of former CIIS President, Joseph L. Subbiondo, two scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded to CIIS students at dissertation level (advanced to candidacy) with financial need. These scholarships will be awarded in the fall. Applicants must attach a 2-3 page essay on the ways in which their approved dissertation proposal expresses an Integral Worldview. Applicants must attach the essay to their Financial Aid application and also submit their essay to Jacob Sherman, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Chair (jsherman@ciis.edu), Lilly Falconer, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Program Manager (lfalconer@ciis.edu); and Shaun Roberts, Director of Annual Giving (sroberts1@ciis.edu). Application period: May 15 – June 30.

Michael and Gityjoon Hebel Scholarships support students with financial need enrolled in the Asian Contemplative and Transcultural Studies program.  There are six annual scholarships of $5,000 each.  Interested students should send a statement of intent to Debashish Banerji, Ph.D., Chair of East-West Psychology at dbanerji@ciis.edu. Please also send a copy of your statement of intent to Shaun Roberts, Director of Annual Giving (sroberts1@ciis.edu) and to the Financial Aid Office at scholarships@ciis.edu.

Through the generosity of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness faculty, students, and alumni, the program offers three scholarships of $5,000 each and are awarded in fall. Newly admitted and current Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness students with financial need are eligible to apply. Applicants must attach a 2-3 page essay on one’s alignment with the mission of the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program to their Financial Aid application. The essay must also be sent to Jacob Sherman, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Chair (jsherman@ciis.edu), Lilly Falconer, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Program Manager (lfalconer@ciis.edu); and Shaun Roberts, Director of Annual Giving (sroberts1@ciis.edu). Application period: May 15 – June 30.

One scholarship of $10,000 will be awarded annually to one qualified applicant, either resident or online, to the M.A. or Ph.D. program of the Philosophy, Cosmology Consciousness program. Priority will be given to candidates who are applying in the midcareer or late-career phase of their lives. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate a resonance with core values central to Richard Meech’s values, including ecological and planetary spirituality, indigenous wisdom, integral ecology, plant medicine and the importance of the sacred. While priority will be given to Canadian and mid-career applicants, all applicants will be considered. This scholarship may be renewed at CIIS’ discretion. Applicants are encouraged to read The Journey of Richard G. Meech. Application period: April 1 - May 31.

The Robert Joseph and Wilhelmina Ann Kranzke Research Scholarships, administered by the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), provide up to $5,000 per annum to doctoral candidates engaged in scholarly research on psychedelic or entheogenic plants and substances. Eligibility for this award is contingent upon the applicant being a registered doctoral student at CIIS, maintaining exemplary academic standing, having completed a minimum of one semester of full-time academic work, and having at least one remaining year in their doctoral program. The application process, with deadlines on June 15 for fall awards and January 15 for spring awards, requires submission of a comprehensive dissertation proposal, encompassing 15 to 25 pages, alongside a recommendation from the student's dissertation chairperson and requisite approval documents. 

This scholarship is instrumental in promoting a diverse range of research studies, encompassing disciplines such as psychology, historical analysis, ethnographic studies, and spiritual practices. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Application Guidelines found here and submit their signed application and all required documents to amontuori@ciis.edu.

In honor of CIIS' founders, Haridas and Bina Chaudhuri, up to three $1,000 scholarships are awarded to students from India each year.

Each year one student from three of CIIS' schools — the School of Professional Psychology & Health, the School of Consciousness and Transformation, and the School of Undergraduate Studies — is awarded a scholarship supported by the annual donations of CIIS faculty and staff. Scholarships are for $1,000.

Through donations from the Ernest Christian Klipstein Foundation and other donors, each year two students in the Bachelor of Arts Completion Program will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

In memory of CIIS Somatic student Samuel B. Hanser, The Samuel B. Hanser Memorial Trust supports one $2,000 scholarship for a Somatic Psychology student annually.

The late Laurance S. Rockefeller remains CIIS' single largest benefactor and he is the namesake for CIIS's library. Two scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded in his honor annually.