Cal Poly Humboldt established the Alistair and Judith McCrone Graduate Fellowship Fund in October 2001. The fund was created to honor Dr. and Mrs. McCrone, who together supported Cal Poly Humboldt and its students for over a quarter of a century. This award will recognize one outstanding graduate student, acknowledge their potential, and encourage their continued achievement in their graduate program. 

Eligibility: 

● First year students who have been in their Cal Poly Humboldt Graduate Program for less than one academic year are eligible for nominations 

● Graduate students must be enrolled full time (at least 9 units per semester), and have at least a 3.0 GPA 

● Only one candidate may be nominated per graduate degree program, submitted by the program coordinator:

• Applied Anthropology, M.A.

• Biology, M.S.

• Business, M.B.A.

• Counseling Psychology, M.A.

• Education, M.A.

• Engineering & Community Practice, M.S.

• English, M.A.

• Environmental Systems, M.S.

• Kinesiology, M.S.

• Natural Resources, M.S.

• Psychology (Academic Research), M.A.

• Public Sociology, M.A.

• School Psychology, M.A.

• Social Science – Environment & Community, M.A.

• Social Work, M.S.W.

Award Amount: One award of $3,000 will be applied to their tuition for use in Academic Year 2026-2027 

Submission information: Completed nominations must be submitted electronically by the graduate coordinator through our online portal which can be accessed through Engagement Hub by Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Incomplete or late nominations will not be considered. 

Please be sure to log in well in advance of the deadline. The application includes:

• Faculty Advisor/Committee Chair Nomination letter in 1,000 words or less, describing the nominee's potential for contribution to their field of study and the qualities and attributes of the nominee that set them apart;

• Nominee’s Statement of Objectives for their graduate degree;

• Letter of Recommendation from their graduate program application;

• Letter of Recommendation from another faculty member with knowledge of the student's work:

• Unofficial Transcripts from all Universities Attended

Important date: Awards will be presented at a reception held from 4-6pm Tuesday, Nov 10, 2026. The recipient must be available to attend the reception in-person and give a short presentation of their research. 

Selection Process: The Planning Committee for Research, Scholarship, & Creative Activities in collaboration with one previous Scholar of the Year will select up to three award recipients in Spring 2026. Award announcements will be sent out by April 15th. 

Questions: Should be directed to Erika Wright, Research Development Lead, Erika.Wright@humboldt.edu or 707-826-5166.