Nationally Competitive Fellowships & Scholarships

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit to outstanding students who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields.  The Goldwater Foundation seeks scholars who are committed to a career in research in science, mathematics, or engineering, display intellectual intensity, and have the potential for significant future contribution in his or her chosen field.  Goldwater Scholars have very impressive academic qualifications that have garnered the attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs. Students must be nominated by their undergraduate college or university to apply. 

Each year, the Udall Foundation awards undergraduate scholarships on the basis of merit to TWO groups of students:  

1. Those who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and who study the environment and related fields.
2. Native American and Alaska Native students who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and are in fields related to health care or tribal public policy.

Two-year and four-year institutions are eligible to nominate a total of six students from either or both categories. To be considered, a student must be nominated by his or her university.  The scholarship funds may be used to pay for tuition, fees, books, room and board.  Udall Scholars also attend a special workshop during the summer.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering Greater Research Opportunities Undergraduate Fellowships for bachelor level students in environmentally related fields of study. Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility during the summer between their junior and senior years. The EPA invites pre-applications for undergraduate GRO fellowships in academic disciplines relating to environmental research including environmental science, physical science, biological science, chemistry, environmental health, computer science, social science, mathematics, and engineering. A pre-application provides the information needed for a merit review. Following a merit review, the most scientifically meritorious applicants will be required to submit a brief formal application.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awards are intended for students interested in pursuing the basic science and technology innovations that can be applied to the DHS mission.  The mission of the DHS is to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recovery efforts from attacks that occur.  DHS is also dedicated to protecting the rights of American citizens and enhancing public services, such as natural disaster assistance and citizenship services.  DHS realizes that the country's strong science and technology community provides a critical advantage in the development and implementation of counter-terrorist measures.  This education program is intended to ensure a diverse and highly talented science and technology community to achieve the DHS mission and objectives.  Areas of study include:  physical, biological, social and behavioral sciences including science policy, engineering, mathematics, and computer science.  Eligibility: US citizenship; minimum GPA 3.3 (successful applicants are more likely to be 3.7 or above).  See the program website link below for more information

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers scholarship awards to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral and social science health-related research. The program is sponsored by the NIH, one of the worlds foremost centers for biomedical research and research training. The scholarships pay for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses up to $20,000 per academic year. In return, recipients are obligated to serve as paid employees in NIH research laboratories during the summer and after graduation. In addition to financial assistance, the scholarship program offers invaluable training and mentoring, as well as practical experience in a state-of-the-art research setting. This program focuses on individuals who may have had fewer opportunities than others to pursue research careers.

The Amgen Scholars Program provides exciting hands-on summer research opportunities in biotechnology at some of the world''s leading institutions. Currently 10 university in the U.S. host the summer research program. Amgen Scholars will: Take part in important university research projects, gain hands-on lab experience and contribute to the advancement of science; Interact with and receive guidance from faculty mentors, including some of the worldís leading academic scientists; and Attend scientific seminars, workshops and other networking events. The Amgen Scholars Program is competitive, with awards based on grades, recommendations and career plans. You may apply if you are a US citizen or permanent resident and currently a sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior at a four-year college or university in the United States, Puerto Rico or other US territory. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. 

The Gilman Scholarship Program broadens the student population that studies abroad by supporting undergraduates who have been traditionally underrepresented in US study abroad and those with high financial need. The program aims to encourage students to choose nontraditional study abroad destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe and Australia and aims to support students who have been traditionally underrepresented in study abroad. This includes but is not limited to, students with high financial need, community college students, students in underrepresented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, students with disabilities, and students of nontraditional age. The program seeks to assist students from a diverse range and type of two-year and four-year public and private institutions from all 50 states. The Gilman Scholarship provides awards of up to $5,000 for U.S. citizen undergraduate students at two- and four-year institutions to pursue country-based undergraduate opportunities abroad of up to one academic year. To be eligible students must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application and cannot be studying abroad in a country currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or in Cuba.