STEM Related Scholarships
Selected STEM-related scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate level are described below. For information about any opportunities or assistance with applications, please contact Dr. Michael Mills, SUNY Geneseo Director of National Scholarships and Fellowships or visit his office in Erwin 116C.
Purpose: Awarded to students who have outstanding potential, participate in research, and intend to pursue advanced degrees in STEM. Students who plan to study medicine are eligible only if they plan a research career rather than an MD. This scholarship covers expenses for tuition, fees, books, room and board up to $7,500 annually. Institutional endorsement required.
Qualifications: Eligible applicants must be sophomores or juniors majoring in the natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Students must be U.S. citizens, have a minimum 3.8 GPA and be in the top 25% percent of their class. Institutions nominate up to 4 students for the award based on a campus selection procedure. Deadline: last Friday in January.
American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars
Purpose: Program provides renewable scholarships of up to $5,000 to underrepresented minority students and who wish to pursue undergraduate degrees in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, material science, toxicology, and environmental science.
Qualifications: U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents; African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, or American Indian: and college freshmen, sophomores or juniors (seniors can apply for their fifth year). Must be majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, or another chemistry-related science AND planning to pursue a career in a chemistry-related science as well (please see below for more details). Demonstrating high academic achievement in chemistry or science (Grade Point Average 3.0 or higher).
Amgen Foundation Scholars Program
Purpose: Provides undergraduates with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research experience at some of the world's leading educational institutions during the summer. The Program seeks to increase learning and networking opportunities for students committed to pursuing science or engineering careers.
Qualifications: Amgen Scholars U.S. Program applicants must be: U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents; Undergraduate students enrolled in accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States, Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories; Sophomores (with four quarters or three semesters of college experience), juniors or non-graduating seniors (who are returning in the fall to continue undergraduate studies). U.S. Program applicants must also have: A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or above and an interest in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Purpose: Provides successful sophomore and junior undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000 per year) for full-time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility; and, if reappointed, academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year. The internship between the first and second years of the award provides the Scholars with "hands-on"/ practical educational training experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include travel funds to attend a mandatory NOAA Scholarship Program orientation, conferences where students present a paper or poster, and a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship.
Qualifications: Full-time sophomore or junior academic status, cumulative GPA of 3.0, majoring in a discipline area related to oceanic, environmental and atmospheric science, remote sensing technology and education, and supportive of the purposes of NOAA's programs and mission, e.g., biological, social, and physical sciences; mathematics; engineering; computer and information sciences; hydrology; geomatics; and teacher education. Application deadline: end of January.
SMART: Science, Math, & Research for Transformation
Purpose: Department of Defense scholarships for undergraduate, students who have demonstrated ability and special aptitude for training in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) fields. Pays for full tuition and education related fees, offers a stipend of $25,000-$38,000 depending on the applicant's degree, paid summer internships, a health insurance allowance of $1,200, a book allowance, mentoring, and employment placement after graduation.
Qualifications: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, able to participate in summer internships at DoD laboratories, willing to accept post-graduate employment with the DoD, have a min cumulative GPA of 3.0 and pursuing an undergraduate degree in STEM. Application deadline early December.
Purpose: This scholarship targets students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to pursuing careers in health research and basic biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research.
Qualifications: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals or qualified noncitizens, have at least a 3.5 GPA, and be from a disadvantaged financial background. Up to $20,000 per academic year in tuition, educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses to scholarship recipients. Scholarships are awarded for 1 year, and can be renewed up to 4 years. Application opens in January.
Morris K. Udall & Stewart K. Udall Scholarship
Purpose: The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation awards as many as 50 scholarships of up to $7000 for tuition, room and board, or other educational expenses and 50 honorable mention awards to sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. Included is four-day Udall Scholars Orientation in Tucson, Arizona to meet with other Scholars, elected officials, and other environmental and tribal leaders. All Scholars are required to attend this event in August. Travel, lodging, and meals will be provided by the Foundation.
Qualifications: Students must be nominated by their university, be a sophomore or a junior, and have at least a "B" average GPA For the environmental awards, students must demonstrate commitment to careers related to the environment including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, economics, and other related fields. Deadline: early March
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Purpose: NSF funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students, especially women and underrepresented groups. An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location. Students are generally provided with a modest stipend ($3,000–$5,000 for 10 weeks of work), housing, transportation to and from the site, and often arrangements for food.
Qualifications: Variable. Deadlines: Variable.
Boren Scholarships STEM Initiative Opportunities
Purpose: Allows students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. The special initiative for STEM majors funds up to $8,000 for summer study (minimum of 8 weeks) for students majoring in the STEM fields.
DAAD RISE - Research Internships in Science and Engineering
RISE Germany offers undergraduate students from North American, British and Irish universities the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions. RISE Germany is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
- Students are matched with a host university or institute according to their area of interest (biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering, or a closely related field)
- DAAD provides students a monthly stipend for three months to help cover living expenses
- Host universities, universities of applied sciences (UAS) and institutes provide housing assistance and match students with Ph.D. student mentors or researchers (only UAS)
- German language is not required and the working language will be in English
Application typically opens in November and closes in December.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship awards over one thousand fellowships to outstanding students pursuing research-based masters or doctoral degrees in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Psychology, and Social Sciences. The fellowship provides three years of financial support, including an annual $30,000 stipend and $10,500 education allowance. Eligible applicants are college seniors, first-year graduate students, and others who have completed limited amounts of graduate work. There are Graduate Fellowships, women in engineering, and women in computer and information science awards. Applications are available online. Deadline late October by discipline. Candidates must have research experience.
US Student Fulbright Grant for Graduate Study and Research and English Teaching Assistantships
Created by the US Congress, this program provides various grants to study abroad and interact with other cultures while completing coursework, research or other special projects. The program currently awards approximately 1,900 grants annually in all fields of study, and operates in more than 140 countries worldwide. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) awards represent a large portion of the awards offered through the Fulbright Scholar Program. More than 50 countries throughout every region of the globe are offering STEM awards that are open to all levels of scholars, ranging from postdoctoral scholars to distinguished chairs and everything in between. Scholars in the STEM fields have had rewarding experiences both professionally and personally and have found that international collaborations have strengthened their scientific work. For those scholars in a STEM related field who cannot spend long periods of time away from their home institution, the Fulbright program offers many Flex opportunities within STEM awards that allow scholars to pursue shorter term grants spread over two to three years. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) programs place grantees in schools overseas to supplement local English language instruction and to provide a native speaker presence in the classrooms. Deadline: early October.
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowships
Awards over 100 fellowships each year to graduate students in the fields of science and engineering. Fellows may choose any accredited institution of higher education in the United States offering doctoral degrees in science or engineering. The tenure of the award is 36 months cumulatively, beginning in the fall of the year the fellowship is awarded. The evaluation of candidates will be based on all available evidence of ability, including academic records, recommendations regarding each applicant’s qualifications, and the score obtained on the GRE. The award includes full payment of tuition and required fees. In addition, fellows receive a stipend to cover related living expenses. Deadline: early November
National Institutes of Health Graduate Partnerships Program
Links the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with universities in the graduate level training of students. Through university partnerships (refer to website for details on University Partnerships) the NIH strengthens and expands its role as a provider of excellent training for the biomedical scientists of the future. Participants are provided with a stipend, medical insurance, and tuition as appropriate. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have an undergraduate degree and plan on pursuing a PhD in the biomedical sciences, and must meet the admission deadlines established by each program. Students submitting an application may select up to five National University Partnerships and up to three International University Partnerships. Deadline: early December
A private foundation which provides fellowships that can be used at three dozen of the nation’s finest universities for graduate work leading to award of the PhD degree in applications of the physical sciences. The fields of study include—applied physics, applied chemistry, applied mathematics, applied modern biology and all areas of engineering which apply results from the basic physical sciences. The award, which is based on merit (not need), consists of a cost-of-education allowance and a personal-support stipend ($25,000). The Fellowship award is renewable annually (upon a showing of satisfactory progress toward receipt of the PhD degree) for a total Fellowship tenure of no more than five years. Fellows must attend one of the Foundation’s tenable schools. Deadline: late October.
Ford Foundation Fellowship Programs
Through its Fellowship Programs, the Ford Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students. Predoctoral, Dissertation, and Postdoctoral fellowships will be awarded in a national competition administered by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on behalf of the Ford Foundation. Awards will be made for study in research-based Ph.D. or Sc.D. programs; practice oriented degree programs are not eligible for support. In addition to the fellowship award, Ford Fellows are eligible to attend the Conference of Ford Fellows, a unique national conference of a select group of high-achieving scholars committed to diversifying the professoriate and using diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students. Deadline: late October.
DOE NNSA Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship
U.S. citizen or permanent resident planning full-time, uninterrupted study toward a doctoral degree at an accredited U.S. university. Senior undergraduate students and first- and second-year graduate students focusing their studies on high energy density physics, nuclear science, or properties of materials under extreme conditions and hydrodynamics. $36,000 yearly stipend. Payment of full tuition and required fees during the appointment period at any accredited U.S. university. An annual $1,000 academic allowance for research or professional development expenses. Must be renewed for each of up to four years. Deadline: early January.
The Gates Cambridge scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. The selection criteria are outstanding intellectual ability, leadership potential, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and a good fit between the applicant's qualifications and aspirations and the postgraduate program at Cambridge for which they are applying. Students must apply for admission as a postgraduate student to the University of Cambridge and a Gates Cambridge Scholarship at the same time. This scholarship is extremely competitive. Deadline: early October.
Rhodes Scholars are appointed for two years of graduate study in the University of Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. The scholarships, which include all educational costs and living and travel allowances, are awarded to students who exhibit intellectual excellence, leadership, and concern for others. Candidates may be nominated by the SUNY Geneseo but may not apply directly. The Rhodes Foundation application deadline is in October but the nominating process will begin in June or July. Please note that nomination to this scholarship and for the scholarship itself is highly competitive. Deadline: usually early October.
These scholarships enable students to study a wide range of subjects for an advanced degree at any of Britain’s universities and business schools. The scholarships are awarded annually to up to forty young US citizens who are college graduates and include tuition fees, a living allowance, travel fares between the US and Great Britain, and a book grant. The selectors are looking for students who plan to take up careers not only in higher education, but in commerce and industry, the arts and professions and public life in general. Candidates may be nominated by SUNY Geneseo but may not apply directly. The application deadline is October but the nominating process will begin in June or July. This scholarship is extremely competitive. Deadline: usually early October.
George J. Mitchell Scholarship for Study in Ireland
The George J. Mitchell scholarship will allow American post-graduates to pursue one year of study at institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland. There are no restrictions for academic fields of study. Candidates may be nominated by SUNY Geneseo but may not apply directly. The application deadline is October but the nominating process may begin in July or August. This scholarship is extremely competitive. Deadline: usually early October.
DAAD German Academic Exchange Service
Undergraduate Scholarships: Scholarships for 4 to 10 months of study, thesis research or an internship for students in any academic field.
Study Scholarship: Participation in a postgraduate program after a first undergraduate course of study for the purpose of technical or scientific specialization Specifically, the following is supported: a postgraduate or Master's degree program completed at a state or state-recognized university in Germany or the first or second year of study at a state or state-recognized German university as part of a postgraduate or Master's degree program completed in the home country or in another foreign country; recognition of the academic achievements rendered in Germany must be guaranteed. The standard period of study of the postgraduate or Master's degree program should not be exceeded as a result of the study year in Germany.
Research Grants: Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates and Young Academics and Scientists are awarded to highly qualified candidates who have completed a Master's degree, or in exceptional cases a Bachelor's degree at the latest by the time they begin their grant-supported research, or those who have already completed a PhD (postdocs), or to individuals wishing to earn a doctoral degree in Germany.
Deadline: Variable.
ACM SIGHPC/INTEL Computational & Data Science Fellowship
Benefits: up to $15K annually for up to 5 years
Eligibility: (1) A woman and/or member of a racial or ethnic group that is currently underrepresented in computing fields, (2) who is pursuing a graduate degree (Master's or PhD) in computational or data science, and (3) who has completed less than half of their planned program of study.
Application deadline: April
DOD National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG)
Benefits: up to 3 years of tuition, fees, and insurance, as well as a monthly stipend.
Eligibility: (1) U.S. citizens and nationals who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in one of fifteen disciplines, including computational science. (2) Completing their undergraduate degree in the year of application, or are a first or second year of overall graduate studies.
Application deadline: Early December
DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
Benefits: Yearly stipend of $36K + tuition/fees, academic allowances each year, practicum at a national lab, annual conference, for up to 4 years.
Eligibility: (1) U.S. citizens and nationals, (2) Undergraduate seniors or 1st year graduate students (M.S. students may apply; PhD students who apply may not have a M.S. already). (3) Open to students in a wide range of areas in computational and data science.
Application deadline: typically early February
Notes: Application opens up in late October
DOE Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship
Benefits: Up to four years of $36K yearly stipend, tuition and fees, $1K of research expenses, research practicum at a DOE national defense laboratory.
Eligibility: US citizen or permanent resident (1) Pursuing a full-time doctoral degree at a US university, (2) are a senior undergraduate or first or second year of graduate school, and (3) are working in high energy density physics, nuclear science, or materials under extreme conditions and hydrodynamics.
Application deadline: typically in January/February
Notes: Application opens up in October
Department of Homeland Security Fellowship
Benefits: Varies tremendously based on subject area; see website.
Eligibility: Typically must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain a security clearance (i.e., no felonies)
Application deadline: Varies
NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF)
Benefits: Approx. $35K stipend + tuition/fees for up to 3 years.
Eligibility: (1) Individuals pursuing Master's or PhD degrees in NASA-relevant fields from US institutions, (2) applying at any time during their graduate work or as a senior. (3) US citizenship/permanent residence is not mandatory, but will receive preferences.
Application deadline: Typically late January/early February
Notes: Typically opens in November