The AJ Birkbeck Scholarship

AJ Birkbeck gives a talk about PFAS at the Rogue River (Photo courtesy of MLive)

AJ Birkbeck: collaborator, strategist, protector, mentor.

Standing up to big companies is daunting enough. Getting them to clean up the PFAS chemicals they’ve let seep into our land, water, and communities for decades even more so. But attorney AJ Birkbeck selflessly did both.

Under his guidance, a ragtag group of citizens moved our federal government to force a company to clean up the PFAS it spilled into the city of Rockford over decades—chemicals tied to cancers, liver disease, and cardiovascular problems. This put PFAS pollution in the public consciousness, spurring Michigan to adopt among the first PFAS regulations in the nation.

Birkbeck then created the PFAS Alliance, which gives people the support, connections, and resources they need to protect communities from PFAS at the local, state, or even national level.

When AJ Birkbeck passed away in late 2021, the PFAS Alliance and Michigan Environmental Council came together to form the AJ Birkbeck Scholarship Fund, made possible by the generous donations of dozens of compassionate people.

Each year, we’ll award two students from a Michigan college or university at least $3,000 to complete and share a PFAS research project. One award will be for a graduate student conducting PFAS related research in environmental science, engineering, or policy. The second award will be for an MS Public Health student doing a PFAS research project and/or practicum in health education, epidemiology, or communications. Projects must embody the vision and spirit of AJ Birkbeck himself: a collaborator, a strategist, a protector, and a mentor. Read more about the scholarship criteria and apply below!

Apply to the scholarship

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Application Materials*

I have read the full application materials

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Major Being Pursued*

Degree Being Pursued*

MS Public Health - health ed, epidemiology or communications

MS/PhD/JD - env. science, engineering or policy

GPA*

Semester and Year Requested for Scholarship*

Essay Upload (800 to 1,000 words)*

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Max. file size: 50 MB.

The essay should describe 1) the proposed research project, anticipated outcomes, budget, and plans for dissemination, and 2) how the AJ Birkbeck Scholarship will support the larger scope of the applicant's work, and 3) the applicant’s career goals and how they will promote better understanding, awareness, and/or solutions to current or future environmental challenges posed by PFAS chemicals. Please cite 5 to 10 examples of relevant literature.

Itemized Budget Upload*

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Max. file size: 50 MB.

The budget should include, if applicable, individual expenditures over the course of your PFAS project, each expenditure's cost, and the source of each expenditure's funding. The applicant should also include a proposed itemized budget for the AJ Birkbeck Scholarship. If the applicant is seeking scholarship funding to start a project, they may only submit their proposed itemized budget.

Proposed Timeline Upload*

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Max. file size: 50 MB.

The timeline should include the months and years of the applicant's project's advancements, such as its start, funds secured, project updates, and accomplishments. They should also include a timeline for the future should AJ Birkbeck Scholarship funding be obtained. If the applicant is seeking scholarship funding to start a project, they may only submit a proposed future timeline.

Does your essay include what is outlined in the instructions above?*

Yes

Resume Upload*

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Max. file size: 50 MB.

Please include all full- and part-time employment since high school graduation; semesters with dates of attendance; and extra-curricular activities listed chronologically.

Transcript*

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Unofficial transcripts are welcome.

Name of Reference (First and Last Name)

A professor, academic adviser, or department chair who can provide a recommendation and confirm applicant's course of study and academic status.

Reference Phone Number*

Phone

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