Scholarships to Support CNS Research
Deadlines may have changed. Click “Application” for the most recent information.
21st Century Leaders Award
Supports graduating seniors who are nominated by faculty for strong leadership qualities; noteworthy original research; community service; the achievement of success by overcoming extraordinary personal circumstances, or public presentation through art, performance or athletic ability. Must be a graduating senior and be nominated by UMass faculty or staff. You can ask a faculty member to nominate you. Average award: Ten awards of $1,000 each are given annually in May Deadline to apply: Nominations are due in mid-January
Maureen Flanagan Fund Scholarship
Application
Supports student opportunities that go “above and beyond the college experience.” Opportunities can be unpaid or under-paid summer internships, research, study abroad, alternative Spring breaks, community service, or other initiatives that complement and enhance the student’s chosen course of study. Prepare a 1-page proposal describing initiative, how it supports your field of study, and estimated costs. Preference is given to undergraduate women with demonstrated financial need. FAFSA submission required. Average award: $3800 total, but varies with number of recipients and strength of proposals. Deadline to apply: March 31. (Applications accepted starting January 1).
Honors Research Grants
Supports a student’s own research project or creative work, under the guidance of a faculty sponsor. Must be a Commonwealth Honors Student in good academic standing with minimum GPA of 3.4. Must be a junior or senior pursuing an honors thesis, honors project, or honors independent study. Must apply in cooperation with faculty sponsor. Average award: Up to $1,000, for reimbursement of direct research costs only. Deadline to apply: Mid March, for disbursement in the following Fall (juniors only) Early October, for disbursement in the following Spring (juniors and seniors)
Tina Brown-Stevenson & Harry C. Stevenson Diverse Scholars Healthcare Schlrshp
Application
Supports Commonwealth Honors College undergraduate students with financial need. Preference given to underrepresented students, who plan to pursue a career in the health care field, such as but not limited to, clinical practice, pharmacology, medical research, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or mental health. Students transferring from a community college ae also eligible. Average award: $1000 Deadline to apply: Late February
Research Assistant Fellowships
Supports a student who is either working as a Research Assistant to a faculty member’s project, or conducting their own research project under supervision of a faculty member. Second semester first years and sophomores are eligible to apply in late March for disbursement the following Fall. Sophomores and Juniors are eligible to apply in October for disbursement the following Spring. Must be a Commonwealth Honors Student in good academic standing with minimum GPA of 3.4. Must apply in cooperation with faculty sponsor. Must re-apply each semester for additional funds. Average award: Up to $500 per semester, earned at Massachusetts minimum hourly wage. Deadline to apply: Late March for disbursement next Fall (rising sophomores and juniors only) Early October for disbursement next Spring (sophomores and juniors only)
David J. Van Blerkom Research Scholarship in Astronomy
Application
Supports one or two UMass students of any major who apply for, and are accepted to, a summer research internship in Astronomy.
Mary Dailey Irvine Prize for Astronomy or Astrophysics Research
Application
Awarded to a graduating senior with an outstanding thesis or research paper, on astronomy or astrophysics, presented to the department.
Linda Slakey Award / Student Support Endowment
Application
Supports a student majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, who wants to pursue summer research but needs financial support to do it. Preference given to juniors pursuing a research position in the Summer before their senior year. Preference given to Honors College students, but all may apply. Graduating seniors are not eligible. Must be in good academic standing and be able to carry out senior Honors research in the hosting laboratory during their senior year. Must propose research, and must obtain both a sealed letter of recommendation and written invitation from a faculty member to perform research in their lab. Average award: Varies with endowment. Deadline to apply: Late-February for disbursement in Summer.
Kofi Cash Scholarship for Independent Research
Application
Supports an undergraduate student, of any major, who is currently working in a Biology Department lab. Must have demonstrated enthusiasm and passion for research. GPA will not be the sole criterion, and applicants will not be penalized for a late start in the research arena. Must provide letter of support from an advisor (faculty or laboratory PI) and unofficial transcripts. Average award: $500 Deadline to apply: Early April?
Teresa Biusu Maravelas Memorial Scholarship
Application
Supports a Biology junior demonstrating strong passion for life sciences, especially in the context of lab or field based research. Average award: $1000 Deadline to apply: Early April?
Biology Undergraduate Travel Award
Application
Supports Biology majors presenting their research at local, regional, national, or international meetings, or whose research requires travel to a field site. Must be a Biology major in good standing, with a letter of support from a Biology Research Mentor with whom you are conducting independent research. Average award: Varies with endowment Deadline to apply: At least 4 weeks prior to travel
Peter K. Hepler Research Scholarship
Application
Supports undergraduate research by any CNS major, on a biological question, in a laboratory or field setting outside the United States. Funds can be used to support travel, lodging, food, equipment, and supplies. Must propose research, show documentation from the overseas organization, lab or research group. Must get a letter of recommendation from a selected mentor. Average award: Up to $5000? Deadline to apply: Mid-March?
Ray Ethan Torrey Scholarship
Application
Supports one or more undergraduate students studying botany and/or doing research in plant biology that will continue full-time through Summer. Research must be in the lab of a faculty member from Biology or from the Plant Biology Graduate Program. Average award: Varies with endowment Deadline to apply: End of February
Albert L. Delisle Scholarship
Application
Supports full-time undergraduate and graduate students involved in a research project in the lab of a Plant Biology faculty member. Applicants should demonstrate strong motivation for conducting research, high academic achievement, and a novel proposal for Plant Biology research. Must submit project proposal and budget. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Late February
David J. Klingener Endowment
Application
Supports summer research & living expenses of a graduate or undergraduate student of any major, conducting zoological collections-based research, under the mentorship of a UMass faculty member. Fields include botany, entomology, paleontology, and vertebrate biology. Applications are judged on both their scientific quality and their relevance to UMass collections. Must submit project proposal and budget, get letter of recommendation from faculty member, and verify a lack of other sources for funding. Average award: Varies with endowment Deadline to apply: Late February
Jane Hallenbeck Bemis Endowment for Research in Natural History
Supports summer research & living expenses of a graduate or undergraduate student of any major, conducting zoological or botanical collections-based research, under the mentorship of a UMass faculty member. Fields include botany, entomology, paleontology, and vertebrate biology. Must submit project proposal and budget, as well as a description of how the project fits your overall educational path. Must get letter of recommendation from faculty member, verifying the lack of other sources for funding. Average award: Varies with endowment Deadline to apply: Late February
Chemistry Undergraduate Research Fund
Application
Awarded to a current Chemistry major, of any class year, with high academic achievement, for summer research support in the Chemistry department. Must be nominated by a faculty member. You may ask to be nominated. Apply via Chemistry department. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: TBD, check Application link
Roger G. Bates Chemistry Fund
Application
Awarded to a Chemistry major, of high academic achievement, for summer research support in the department. Must apply and be nominated by a faculty member. You may ask to be nominated. Seniors are not eligible. Average award: $2500 Deadline to apply: Early February
J.F.B. (Juanita Bradspies) Fund for Undergraduate Research
Application
Awarded to a current Chemistry major, with high academic achievement, for summer research support in the department. Must apply and get letter of recommendation from a faculty member. Seniors are not eligible. Average award: $3000 Deadline to apply: Early February
Dr Uche Anyanwu Memorial Fund
Application
Awarded to Chemistry majors presenting the Top 3 posters at the Undergraduate Research Poster Session. Must submit abstract to apply. Average award: $100 Deadline to apply: Early February
CT Valley Section of American Chemical Society Student Award
Application
Awarded to a graduating senior at the CVS Undergraduate Student Research Symposium. Must seek faculty nomination, and then apply through Chemistry department. Average award: $75, plus 1-year ACS membership and journal subscription Deadline to apply: Before Symposium
Positron Award
Application
Awarded to a student with a strong interest in Chemistry, who has contributed to teaching and research, exhibited leadership, gives back to the community, and has clear future goals. Average award: $250 Deadline to apply: Early February
Professor Jack Ragle Endowed Fund in Chemistry
Application
Awarded to a chemistry major of high academic achievement to support summer research in physical chemistry. Must apply and get letter of recommendation from a faculty member. Seniors are not eligible. Average award: $4000 Deadline to apply: Early February
Tarselli Family Endowed Research Award
Application
Awarded to 2-3 rising chemistry juniors with future interests in the biotech and/or pharmaceutical fields. Must apply and get letter of recommendation from a faculty member. Only second semester sophomores (i.e. rising Juniors) may apply. Average award: $500+ each Deadline to apply: Early February
Mr. Tompkins Award
Application
Awarded to 2 Chemistry majors who have excelled in the research lab. Award is not based on GPA. A research faculty member must recommend you, which you may request they do. Average award: $150 Deadline to apply: Early February
Oliver Zajicek Memorial Scholarship Award
Application
Awarded to a Chemistry major who has demonstrated excellence in analytical chemistry research. A research faculty member must nominate you, which you may request they do. Average award: $400 Deadline to apply: Early February
Sir Harold W. Kroto and Steve F.A. Acquah GEOSET Award
Application
Awarded to a Chemistry major who has demonstrated excellence in the scientific communication of research through digital media. GEOSET is Global Educational Outreach for Science Engineering and Technology. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Early February
Geography Alumni Award
Application
Supports student costs for research or other worthy purposes that would benefit the students of the Geography programs. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Late March
Leo M. Hall Memorial Fund
Application
Supports Geological field research of Geosciences students, who are also excellent students, and who exhibit outstanding promise as future members of the geological profession. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Late March
Randolph and Cecile Bromery Undergraduate Scholarship
Application
Supports one or more UMass undergraduate Geology or Earth Systems majors. Can be used to fund field research or to support a summer internship. Average award: $5000 per year across one or more students Deadline to apply: Mid-April
Gloria Radke Memorial Fund
Application
Broadly supports field research of Geology students, who are also excellent students, and who exhibit outstanding promise as future members of the geological profession. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Late March
H.T.U. Smith Memorial Geology Fund
Application
Provides one or more awards to undergraduate and graduate Geology students (including freshmen and graduation seniors). Award can be used to support research and to defray expenses in connection with geological field work, with emphasis on summer field studies or research. Recipients selected on basis of scholastic achievement and merit of research project. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Late March
Andrew D. Wise Memorial Endowment Fund
Application
Supports Geology students with expenses for research travel, especially for fieldwork or to present research at professional conferences. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Late March
C.D. Youngren Scholarship Fund
Application
Supports stipend and laboratory expenses for a rising senior engaged in a research opportunity during the summer following her/his junior year and continuing through her/his senior year. Must be an outstanding junior in Natural Sciences or Mathematics. Preference given to those majoring in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics & statistics, physics, or astronomy. Average award: Varies with endowment Deadline to apply: Late April for disbursement in Summer and the following Fall
Edward S. Chang Endowed Fund for Undergraduate Research
Application
Provides research grants for Physics undergrads pursuing Physics research projects under faculty guidance during an academic semester or summer. Must submit proposal with assistance from faculty research advisor. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Late February
Physics Dept Travel Fund
upd [at] physics [dot] umass [dot] edu (Application)
Supports student travel to professional Physics conferences and workshops. Preference given to UMass faculty-sponsored research, and preference is given to presenting over just attending. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Late February?
Equine Studies Program Endowment
Application
Supports students in Veterinary & Animal Sciences, doing undergraduate research in Equine-Related Studies. Average award: Varies Deadline to apply: Late April