College Fellowships and Awards
Thanks to the generous support of many alumni and friends, the college is pleased to offer the following fellowships and awards for CMNS graduate students:
- ARCS Foundation Endowment Scholar Awards & ARCS/MWC Chapter Awards
- Amit and Ruchi Mehta Graduate Research Award
- Board of Visitors Oustanding Graduate Student Award
Eligibility Requirements & Timeline
ARCS Foundation Endowment Scholar Awards & ARCS/MWC Chapter Awards
Every fall, the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) announces funding for the new academic year via an RFP. ARCS Endowment Scholar Awards are $15,000 per academic year.
ARCS requests applications from one graduate student in specific fields of study, e.g. chemistry, computer science, physics, etc. Department Chairs and Graduate directors are invited to submit their program’s top nominees to Irene Lukoff, director of development for CMNS, who then submits our college’s application to ARCS.
Endowment Award scholars are selected on the basis of merit, as well as community leadership and service. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. The Endowment Award announcements are made in February. Applicants not selected for the Endowment Award can be resubmitted for the ARCS/MWC Chapter Awards. Application packets for the Chapter Awards are sent out in early February.
Amit and Ruchi Mehta Graduate Research Award
Amit '96 and Ruchi '00 Mehta established The Amit and Ruchi Mehta Graduate Research Award to support graduate students in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) who have existing international experience and a desire to serve the broader international community upon graduation. The award amount is $5,000.
Recipients will be selected on the basis of enrollment in a graduate program in CMNS, a background of existing international education experience, and a desire to serve the broader international community upon graduation. Preference will be given to students who intend to pursue alternative careers combining science with business and/or law.
Graduate directors will be contacted every January and invited to submit nominations to the Associate Dean for Graduate Education. Nominations should include a letter of recommendation from the graduate director or a faculty member, a 2-page statement from the candidate, and a 2-page CV. Winners will be selected in the spring.
Board of Visitors Outstanding Graduate Student Award
The CMNS Board of Visitors Outstanding Graduate Student Award is given annually, as funds are available, to a doctoral student who has advanced to candidacy and demonstrated scholarly and research excellence in their field. Every spring, graduate directors are asked to nominate one student for consideration. Applicant credentials are reviewed by board members, who cast a vote for their choice.
Department Fellowships and Awards
In addition to the above graduate fellowships that are administered at the college level, many departments in CMNS have additional fellowship and award opportunities available for students. We encourage you to visit your program's website to learn more about the eligibility requirements and timeline and to apply.