Science Scholarships

While the popular image of scientists still consists of men in lab coats conducting dangerous laboratory experiments, any aspiring science major can tell you that people pursuing careers in science are actually an extremely diverse group with noble intentions.

Science is a broad term that encompasses many different forms of inquiry. Nearly any means of asking and seeking to answer questions about the world counts as science, from social science to biology to chemistry to physics. As a result, the possibility for college majors in science and post-collegiate careers in science is wide-ranging, and many don’t even require white lab coats, strange chemicals or assistants named Igor. Science majors may wind up conducting research for a company or university, teaching at a high school or college or using their critical thinking and analytical skills within a business or a non-profit agency, among the many career opportunities available to them. They can even find themselves literally helping to save the world through their work.

Beyond the diversity of opportunity and possibility for personal fulfillment, science careers also make economic sense. It comes as no surprise that in our increasingly technologically reliant and increasingly environmentally and health conscious society, science and scientists are playing more prominent roles. In fact, organizations right and left are calling for more Americans to pursue college degrees and careers in science, especially fields related to environmental science and clean energy.

In order for America to remain competitive in a global economy, many feel that we need more college graduates with science degrees. As a result, everyone from private foundations to the federal government has begun offering science scholarships and grants. Some of the awards can get quite large, like the Intel Science Talent Search and the Siemens Competition, each of which carries a top prize of $100,000. Students with financial need who are pursuing a science education can even receive a specially-designated federal grant, the SMART Grant, to help pay for school.

Below are just some of the science scholarship awards available to high school and college students. You can find more information on these and other awards by completing a profile and conducting a free college scholarship search on Scholarships.com.