A primary goal of the Richard Richards Institute is to support and teach ethical leadership, which we do in part by awarding scholarships to students: 

Donate to the Ethics Scholarship

High School Senior Ethics Scholarships

High school seniors committed to Weber State University, submit a 500-word essay on the value of ethics in our society for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship. This scholarship assists these ethically-minded students with tuition, fees, book expenses, and any other approved educational costs. (See application and instructions at the bottom of the page.)

WSU Student Ethics Scholarships

WSU students who are participating in the University’s Ethics Certificate program submit a 500-word essay on the value of ethics in our society for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship. This scholarship assists these ethically-minded students with tuition, fees, book expenses and other approved educational costs. (Launches Fall Semester 2023)

Internship Scholarships

Internships provide students with the unique opportunity of stepping out of the classroom to enhance their education and gain experience in a real-world setting. In partnership with the Walker Institute at WSU, the Richard Richards Institute provides internship stipends to qualified students to better ensure a debt-free internship experience. See the WSU Internship site for details.

Study Abroad Scholarships

Study Abroad programs provide students with opportunities to gain experience in a real-world setting, getting a head start on a successful career.  In partnership with the WSU Study Abroad office, the Richard Richards Institute provides study abroad stipends to qualified students to better ensure a debt-free experience. See the Study Abroad Program Office site for details.

Application Instructions

To be considered for selection as an Ethics Scholar, please submit the online application and the required documentation below:

Winners will be honored and formally announced at the Ethics Scholarship Banquet at Weber State University. Scholarship winners and their parents will be informed before the banquet, and are strongly encouraged to attend. 

• Ethics Scholarship Application (see below for application)
• Application Deadline: March 3, 2023
• Ethics Scholarship Banquet: April 5, 2023

First, gather the following information and attach below. If these items are not attached to your application, you may not be eligible for a scholarship. You will not have an opportunity to upload these documents once you moved to the second page.

• High school transcript including current GPA and ACT scores (unofficial copy, such as a scanned PDF is acceptable).
• Verification of high school graduation date by high school administrator, if you are a high school senior applying (e.g., brief letter from guidance counselor).
• Letter of Recommendation (this can be from a faculty member, community member, school administrator, etc.)
• Completed Ethics Scholarship Application
• A 500-word ethics essay, double spaced, titled and dated including your name and that of your high school. The essay should address ONE of the following questions (DO NOT ANSWER BOTH):

• • a. Traveling to experience and learn about the cultures of other countries can be among the most life-enhancing and transformative experiences of a young person’s life. Yet, such travel can also be extremely carbon intensive. According to flightemissionscalculator.com, a one-way flight from Salt Lake City to London generates nearly 2,400 pounds (or roughly 1.25 tons) of carbon emissions per economy seat passenger. In light of the global climate crisis, do young people have an obligation to cut back on, or even avoid, such travel? Can international air travel be justified if the passengers cut back on other carbon-generating activities (for example, by eating less meat) to offset the carbon released by the plane?

    b. On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded the sovereign country of Ukraine under the pretense of fighting “fascism,” but with the real goal of bringing Ukraine back under Russia’s control. It is estimated that over 8 million Ukrainians have been displaced within their country, and another 7.7 million have fled to other European countries (out of a total population of just over 41 million). It is believed that tens of thousands of people have been killed on both sides of the conflict, and the war has worsened an already serious global food shortage. In response to the invasion, the United States and other Western nations have sent nearly $100 billion in aid—both military and humanitarian—to help Ukraine. Included in this is nearly $17 billion in military aid and equipment from the United States. Supporters of this aid claim that it has helped the condition of refugees and that the military aid has helped the Ukrainian military repel the Russian army. Detractors claim that the conflict does not involve any NATO nations and so NATO nations have no treaty obligations to help militarily. Further, the aid has helped prolong the war and threatens to both create an energy crisis in Europe this winter and escalate the war into a nuclear conflict. Ultimately, should the U.S. and other nations continue sending aid to help the Ukrainians?  

After attaching and submitting your documents below, you will be directed to another page with the rest of the application that you must complete.