Donations and endowed gifts ensure your generosity continues to make a difference for generations to come – supporting our teaching and research by providing the essential resources that power new discoveries and innovation. Read about some of our existing and historical endowments and their impact below.
Scholarships and Prizes
In 2023, the Department of Earth Science and Engineering received a generous donation of £250,000 from an anonymous Royal School of Mines alumnus.
This gift established the Rocky Fund, which awards a bursary annually to support an undergraduate student demonstrating exceptional academic potential but facing financial challenges. This initiative aims to remove economic barriers and enhance diversity within the Department.
The fund also supports an annual prize for undergraduate students to support their further development in the field of Earth science and engineering, whether through advanced studies, research, or innovative projects.
The John S Archer Fund was established in 2009 by a group of ten of his former PhD students in honour of Professor John S Archer, former Professor of Petroleum Engineering and Dean of the Royal School of Mines.
The fund provides support for PhD students in the Department through an annual Scholarship and allows Professor Archer’s generous spirit to live on.
The John S Archer Award is awarded to a PhD student who has demonstrated excellence in the broad field of subsurface engineering and geoscience as they relate to delivering sustainable energy.
The value of the award is typically £5,000, though the value of the award may increase or decrease.
Members of the Group of Ten include: Omar Abu-elbashar (PhD, 1990), Ali Al-Gheithy (PhD, 1993), HE Mohammed Al-Rumhy (PhD, 1990), Fernando Alves (MSc, 1982), Ivor Ellul (PhD, 1987), Pauly Enwere (PhD, 1991), Alex Folefac (PhD 1988), Xudong Jing (PhD, 1990), Rashed Noman (PhD, 1987), James Wang (PhD, 1992).
Janet Vida Watson (1923 – 1985) was an English geologist and a Professor of Geology at Imperial College; the first woman to serve as President of the Geological Society. In 2011, an endowed fund was established to support scholarship in her name, connecting future generations with her achievements.
Each year the fund contributes to our Janet Watson PhD Scholarships in Earth Science and Engineering ensuring ongoing, fully funded opportunities for inquisitive minds.
The Department also awards two Janet Watson Centenary Memorial Prizes annually to recognise "excellence in research achievement" and "good citizenship". All current PhD students in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering are eligible, as are those who have recently graduated. Each prize consists of a certificate, and a cheque for £1,000.
The Department has received a number of generous historical endowments to support and recognise the achievements of our students. These were funded by generous donations from alumni and benefactors, and include:
- A.G. Charleton Institution of Mining and Metallurgy Prize – Awarded by the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy to a student for all-round excellence.
- Bennett H Brough Medal – Awarded annually to an Associateship student showing excellence in subjects related to Mine Surveying.
- British Society of Mining Students Prize – Awarded annually to the student obtaining the highest marks in Mining-related subjects.
- Cullis Testimonial Fund – To assist a student of Mining Geology.
- Ernest Edward Glorney Scholarship – Awarded annually for excellence to a student completing the final undergraduate year in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering.
- G R Davis Prize – Awarded annually for excellence in Mineral Exploration/Mining Geology.
- Illing Prize – Awarded on the combined results of examinations in the advanced subjects of Geology of Petroleum and Petroleum Reservoir Geology.
- Clement Le Neve Foster Prize – Awarded for excellence in Geology, Mineralogy or Mining to a final year student.
- Murchison Medal and Prize – Awarded annually to the student who stands highest in the first year Geology examinations.
- Perry Memorial Prize – Awarded to the first year student with the best performance in Mathematics and Physics.
- Roycroft Prize – Awarded annually for enthusiasm and high performance in first year undergraduate studies to a student in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering.
- R Stoddart Longcroft Prize – Awarded annually to the student in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering for obtaining the highest overall marks in the first year examinations.
- Watts Medal – Awarded on the results of the final examinations in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering (Geology).
- Warington Smyth Medal and Prize – Awarded annually to a student, of not more than one year’s standing, who presents the best essay, dissertation, report or other appropriate submission (as decided by the Professors concerned) on a subject relating to Mining during his/her final year or within one year of graduation.