Why STEM Scholarships Matter for Graduate Students
Are you looking for the best graduate STEM scholarships? If you are, then you’re on the right page. Here, we’ll discuss 15 graduate STEM financial aid opportunities. You’ll also learn effective application strategies so you can win these scholarships.
The rising costs of STEM graduate education make these scholarships vital for success. Unless, of course, money isn’t an issue. But if you want to reduce out-of-pocket costs and student loans, scholarships are a must.
Like STEM undergraduate degrees, STEM graduate degrees tend to be more expensive. STEM programs spend more on specialized teachers, equipment, and facilities.
Featured Programs
In general, STEM research projects also demand more funding than non-STEM projects. Research funding is essential for graduate students, particularly to ensure high-quality results. Worse, without enough funding, your research project can go bust.
Earning a master’s degree in science costs $61,380 in direct costs for a two-year program, on average (EDI, 2024). STEM scholarships for master’s students result in significant reductions in your out-of-pocket disbursements.
Then, there’s the $49,500/year average total cost of a PhD degree. Note that 5.7 years is the median number of years to earn a doctoral degree. This means you can spend over $280,000 to earn a doctoral degree, if not more.
Again, doctoral STEM scholarships come to the rescue. Many scholarship programs also provide health insurance coverage and stipends.
Funding for tuition and fees, as well as indirect costs, means there’s less need for student loans. This is a welcome relief, considering the student loan debt crisis. Master’s degree holders owe $38,005, while PhD holders have an $89,526 debt, on average.
But with STEM scholarships, you don’t have to take out as many student loans as you expected. In fact, about 62% of doctoral degree holders have zero debt after graduation.
Top Graduate STEM Scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral Students
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
This is among the best STEM fellowships for graduate students for these reasons:
- Provides a $16,000 cost-of-education allowance paid directly to the institution
- Gives the recipient $37,000 as an annual stipend
- Covers three years of financial aid
- Adds prestige to your resume (i.e., an NSF Fellow designation is a coveted honor)
NSF Fellows can also conduct their research projects at their preferred institution. You can pursue your research interests without worrying about affiliations.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Enrollment in a non-profit college in the U.S. is also a must.
NASA Space Technology Research Grants
NASA offers generous research grants for STEM students, too. These are intended to support space technologies and the professionals behind them.
Eligibility requirements include:
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- Planning to enroll or enrolled in a graduate degree program
- The research proposal must be in line with NASA’s space technology programs
Selected students enjoy:
- Tuition coverage
- Stipends
- Travel and research-related allowances
The financial support can be up to four years. But it depends on fund availability and satisfactory progress.
Hertz Foundation Fellowship
This is the most generous graduate school funding for STEM graduate students offering:
- Up to $250,000 in financial support over five years
- Access to professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities
Applicants must be involved in selected STEM fields. These are in math, engineering, and applied physical and biological sciences.
Eligibility requirements include:
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- Applying to or enrolling in a PhD program
Applications are usually accepted starting in August every year.
Ford Foundation Fellowship for Minorities
Ford Foundation’s financial aid for STEM graduate students promotes diversity and innovation. There’s a strong emphasis on its fellows combating inequality.
Selected fellows enjoy these benefits:
- Generous financial support that can cover direct and indirect costs
- Networking and mentorship opportunities within a diverse community
- Access to a community that emphasizes inclusion, social justice, and equality using STEM
Fellows take part as a cohort of peers and enjoy multi-year experiences. Note that aspiring fellows must be nominated.
Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship
DOE’s program is among the best STEM scholarships for grad students because it:
- Provides $45,000 in annual stipend
- Covers full payment of tuition and mandatory fees
- Gives an annual academic allowance for research costs
- Offers hands-on experience (i.e., 12-week research experience)
This is a renewable scholarship for up to four years. But it will also depend on your satisfactory progress and fund availability.
Applicants must be planning to pursue their PhD degrees, among other requirements. Their doctoral research must focus on high-performance computing.
Research Grants and Fellowships for STEM Students
Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program
The Smithsonian Institution offers STEM education funding opportunities aligned with its mission. Graduate students and pre- and post-doctoral student researchers are welcome.
The award amount varies depending on the type of fellowship. Graduate student fellows receive a $10,000 stipend. Pre-doctoral fellows get a $45,000 annual stipend and a $5,000 research allowance. Post-doctoral fellows receive a $57,000 annual stipend and a $5,000 research allowance.
Adobe GEM Research Fellowship
The PhD Engineering and Science Fellowship provides financial support for underrepresented minorities. These include African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American students.
Applicants must also be:
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Enrolled in an engineering or science PhD program
- A GEM Fellow
The selected fellows receive a tuition and fees waiver. For their first year, fellows also get a $16,000 stipend. There are also networking and mentorship opportunities. Add a paid summer internship, and it’s among the most generous programs.
American Association of University Women Dissertation Fellowship
The AAUW Dissertation Fellowship supports female doctoral students in STEM fields. Selected fellows receive these benefits:
- $25,000 annual stipend (limited to one year only)
- Additional funds for dissertation and research
- Mentorship and networking opportunities
Applicants must be in their final year of dissertation research.
National Institute of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein Pre-doctoral Individual Fellowship (F31)
If you’re a doctoral student in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research programs, consider F31. Fellows receive:
- $27,000 annual stipend
- Up to $16,000/year to cover tuition and fees
- Research allowance
- Mentorship opportunities
Department of Defense National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship
The program seeks to increase the number of STEM professionals in the military. Applicants must plan on earning or currently enrolled in a doctoral degree program. The DoD gives priority to applicants in identified priority disciplines.
Fellows receive these benefits:
- Full coverage for tuition and mandatory fees; renewable for up to three years
- $43,200 annual stipend
- Up to $1,600 per year in health insurance
This is a competitive scholarship, so preparation is key to success.
Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship
This is a global program that attracts the best and brightest worldwide. Applicants must have exceptional academic achievements and proposals.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Current enrollment in a PhD program
- The research proposal must be in line with Microsoft’s research priorities
Recipients receive generous financial support and mentoring opportunities.
Google PhD Fellowship
Google supports graduate students in computer science and related fields. Applicants in its PhD Fellowship program must:
- Be enrolled as a full-time PhD student.
- Conduct research in computer science and other related fields.
Every region has its specific eligibility criteria and application process. Award amounts vary depending on the region, too. But it usually covers living expenses, travel, and research activities.
IBM PhD Fellowship
Candidates for the Fellowship must have their doctoral professors’ nominations. Their research interests must be in line with IBM’s priorities, such as AI, quantum computing, and IoT.
Once selected, you can’t accept comparable financial support from other organizations. Recipients get $40,000 in award money.
Intel Rising Stars Fellowship
Early-career professors in colleges and research institutions are welcome. Applicants must focus their research on computer science or computer engineering, among others. There’s a strong emphasis on diversity with women and underrepresented minorities welcome.
Selected students receive a one-time $50,000 award. Networking opportunities are available.
Facebook Fellowship Program
This competitive program is designed for outstanding doctoral students. Applicants must be engaged in research in computer science and engineering fields. Selected fellows work with Meta in its breakthrough technology development.
The award amount includes $42,000 in stipend and full tuition coverage for up to two academic years.
Apple Scholars in AI/ML PhD Fellowship
PhD students engaged in AI and machine learning research are welcome. Preferential priority is given to applicants with research in line with Apple’s core values.
Selected fellows receive generous financial support to cover tuition and living costs.
Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research
Selected graduate students receive between $500 and $5,000 if they are Sigma Xi members. Non-members receive up to $1,000 in financial support. Special funds in vision-related and astronomy research are also available.
The application cycle consists of two parts – spring and fall. The spring cycle opens on December 15 and ends on March 15 of the following year. The fall cycle opens July 1 and ends October 1 of the same year.
You will likely not qualify for every STEM scholarship and grant program featured. But you should apply to every program you’re eligible for. If you can stack multiple scholarships, it means more free money to fund your education.
Always check the terms and conditions of every program you’re applying for. You may, for example, not be allowed to accept awards from other programs.
How to Apply for STEM Scholarships: Tips for Success
If you know the steps on how to apply for STEM scholarships, these seem easy. But there’s a huge difference between submitting your applications and winning scholarships.
If you go about it haphazardly, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Indeed, planning goes a long way toward winning as many scholarships as you can. Be proactive and persistent, too, in your scholarship applications.
Here are some effective strategies to boost your chances of winning scholarships.
- Understand the scholarship program’s goals, eligibility requirements, application process, and deadlines.
- Gather the required supporting documents. Your personal statement and essays, official transcripts, and letters of recommendation are common. If necessary, gather your financial documentation, too, for need-based scholarships.
- Complete the application form with your supporting documents attached. Double-check for accuracy and completeness.
- Submit your application packet on or before the deadline.
- Follow up on your application.
- Confirm your acceptance if you’re selected.
Let’s take a closer look at the supporting documents in your application packet.
- Write a strong personal statement or scholarship essay and research proposal.
- Answer the essay prompts, if provided, in a clear, concise, and compelling way.
- Define your research goals and achievements that align with the program’s values.
- Highlight the impact and innovative approach of your research proposal and prior projects.
- Share your rigorous coursework, research experiences, and internships.
- Always submit a tailored personal statement or scholarship essay.
- Submit strong letters of recommendation.
- These must boost your credibility as an excellent scholarship candidate.
- Ask recommenders who can attest to your suitability.
- Request to highlight your character, research interests, and potential.
Most importantly, stay organized. You can submit your application packet well ahead of the deadline if you do. Missing deadlines is among the worst mistakes you can commit.
Conclusion: Planning for a Debt-Free STEM Graduate Education
In conclusion, you must apply early and apply to as many STEM scholarships as possible. Doing so means you’re diversifying your funding sources.
You’ll then have a well-rounded cash flow to fund your direct and indirect costs. If you stack multiple scholarships, you can even get a full ride. Earning your graduate degree with little to no student loans isn’t a dream anymore – it’s a reality.
Once you’ve won STEM scholarships, maximize their opportunities, too. Take advantage of the non-monetary benefits, such as networking and internships. Indeed, winning scholarships is only the beginning of good things to come.